Karl Haapala, assistant professor in the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering and a specialist in sustainable design and manufacturing, was named the first Swigert Faculty Fellow. Funded by the Portland-based Swigert Foundation, this one-year appointment will support manufacturing engineering education and Haapala’s research program. The Swigert Foundation was established by Hank T. Swigert, former ESCO chairman, and his brother, Ernest C. Swigert.

Jamie Kruzic, associate professor in the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering, received the Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany. The award is presented to 25 scientists each year whose research is expected to have far-reaching implications beyond their disciplines. Kruzic’s research focuses on the mechanical properties of advanced structural materials and biomaterials. In addition to receiving a monetary award, he will be traveling to Germany to cooperate on a long-term research project.