The University of Akron College of Engineering honored Dr. William Brian Arbuckle, associate professor of civil engineering, with the 2009 Outstanding Teacher Award. Arbuckle was selected for the award by student members of the Tau Beta Pi engineering honors society.
While Arbuckle has been teaching the fundamentals of civil engineering at UA for the past 27 years, his teaching reaches well beyond the basics and into the world of engineering practice.
“I believe students need to solve real-world types of problems so they can see how the fundamentals relate to problem solving,” says Arbuckle, who was a first-generation college student.
Arbuckle earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Ohio University and a master’s degree and doctorate, both in electrical engineering, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After he received his undergraduate degree, Arbuckle worked in research and development for Dow Chemical Co. for two years, but says he recognized his calling to become a professor while studying at UNC.
“I saw how experienced professors had such an impact on my education, that I wanted to be able to have the same impact on others,” he says.
Prof brings real-world experience into classroom
Before pursuing that goal, Arbuckle returned to work in the chemical industry as an engineer for Union Carbide Corp.’s Chemicals & Plastics Division, solving water and wastewater problems. From there, he began to realize his dream when he accepted a teaching position in the University of Florida’s Department of Environmental Engineering and Sciences. In 1982, he joined the UA faculty and over the years has taught courses in environmental engineering, water supply and pollution control, environmental engineering design, hazardous and solid waste, applied hydraulics, construction administration, wastewater treatment plant design and more.
“Dr. Arbuckle incorporates his research interests in drinking water and wastewater treatment, activated carbon absorption, and industrial wastes into his class sessions whenever applicable,” Haritos says. “His selection for this award by the college’s honors students is a testament to his expertise in civil engineering and his commitment to his students.”
The UA College of Engineering experienced a 25 percent increase in student enrollment between 2004 and 2007, making it the fourth fastest growing college of engineering in the United States (among the 150 largest; data source: American Society for Engineering Education) and the fastest growing in the state. The college’s current 1,926 undergraduate enrollment represents a 39.3 percent increase in enrollment between fall 2004 and fall 2008.
Media Contact: Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@uakron.edu.