Harrison’s perspective draws on his long and varied career, which began in the natural gas industry as plant supervisor/field engineer in a liquefied natural gas plant for a predecessor company to National Grid. “Both demand the unique skillsets of engineers of all disciplines.” “What do these initiatives have in common?” he asked. In the transportation sector, hundreds of thousands of jobs will be created to build out and rehabilitate our roads, bridges and transit systems.” In the renewable energy sector, hundreds of thousands of jobs will be created to speed our transition to carbon free energy sources. One crucial way to accomplish this is through investment in infrastructure. “Moving forward, sometime soon, we will be looking at this challenge in the rearview mirror and focusing on economic recovery. He gave several examples of how engineers have risen to the challenges of this difficult time and make a difference-in data and analysis, swift construction of emergency structures and production of medical supplies.Īnd, he looked to the next chapter of our country’s story. “While the entire world is living outside their comfort zone during these times, the engineering world is playing a vital role in helping us to understand how to best navigate our way through the unknown and save lives,” Harrison told the Class of 2020. “It is enormously satisfying when an organization that you have the utmost respect for recognizes you for your accomplishments.”ĭuring his video address to students as part of the school’s virtual commencement ceremony, Harrison said that one of the key takeaways from his career has been the value of getting outside of your comfort zone. “I have tried to live my life by the philosophy of ‘anything worth doing is worth doing right,’” says Harrison, who is currently the vice president of engineering and construction at Transmission Developers, Inc. I am forever grateful for his dedication to UB, to our students, and to being a leader of character.” “I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Bob for the past six years and have the utmost respect for his commitment to excellence, his integrity in leadership, and his generosity in serving our programs in so many ways. “Leadership is influence, and Bob's leadership has significantly influenced the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in many ways,” says Kemper Lewis, SEAS dean. Awarded annually to recognize exceptional professional achievements and/or substantial contributions to the practice of engineering or applied sciences, the Dean’s Award also carries the distinction of the awardee addressing the graduating class. It was for this dedication and commitment to guiding the next generation of engineers that Harrison was honored with the Dean’s Award for Achievement, the highest honor presented by the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Over the last 37 years, Harrison has again and again found this to be true, working in the engineering/construction industry to build industrial gas facilities, chemical processing plants and energy infrastructure around the world, all while giving back to the UB community. While he didn’t know where exactly his career would take him, he was confident that his education and training as an engineer could provide the foundation he would need-to explore, to work collaboratively, and to make a difference. When Robert Harrison graduated from the University at Buffalo’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1983, he was brimming with passions and interests.
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