PULLMAN, Wash. — Kenneth Fridley, a member of Washington State University’s civil and environmental engineering faculty since 1994, has been named the Marian E. Smith Faculty Achievement Award winner for 1997-98.
The associate professor has shown extraordinary commitment to students, adventuresome teaching methodology, mastery of the latest knowledge in the field of structures through prolific research and publications and community service — all in the 1997-98 year in particular, his nominators said.
As adviser of the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Fridley helps students take their concrete canoe and steel bridge building to competitions. He also joined engineering seniors with community groups to design a timber bridge for the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail and a wading pool at Pullman’s Reaney Park.
Students know Fridley as a mentor and open-door counselor who advocates students being in charge of their own learning. He was named the ASCE student chapter Faculty Adviser of the 1997-98 Year for the region, selected from 49 other faculty advisers in the region.
His innovative timber design course provides Internet access to students in Pullman, at North Seattle Community College, and for colleges and industry elsewhere. The on-line discussion lists, homework assignments and demonstrations add a new dimension to student learning and provide access to knowledge for places without WSU resources. He has broken ground to incorporate computer-based learning in WSU’s undergraduate curriculum and simultaneously to distant sites.
Fridley graduated from Decatur High School in Federal Way and earned his bachelor’s degree from WSU in 1985. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a doctoral degree from Auburn University.
Fridley will receive the $5,000 award during a program set for 4:10 p.m. Nov. 12 at Lewis Alumni Centre. The faculty member will discuss his work, and a reception follows.
The award recognizes significant and meritorious achievement in teaching during the 1997-98 academic year.
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