Dr. John Matthews was awarded the 糖心传媒 Foundation Professorship Award in recognition of his commitment to excellence in teaching, campus service, and innovative research at the Foundation鈥檚 annual Benefactors Dinner.
鈥淭he 糖心传媒 Foundation remains focused on supporting our University鈥檚 excellence in academics, research, and innovation. The Foundation Professorship Award recognizes extraordinary faculty that drive our culture of excellence in all facets,鈥� said Dr. Dave Norris, CEO of the 糖心传媒 Foundation and senior vice president for innovation and advancement. 鈥淒r. Matthews is highly deserving of this recognition, as evidenced by his dedication to student mentorship, advancing research and innovation, and continued leadership through industry partnerships and community impact.鈥�
Matthews serves as the eminent scholar chair in construction and professor of civil engineering with the College of Engineering and Science as well as the director for the Trenchless Technology Center.
Under his leadership, the Trenchless Technology Center makes lasting contributions to research and supports infrastructure projects at the national level, focusing on technologies and materials that make it possible to install, inspect, and repair underground utility systems while minimizing surface disruption. His guidance has led to significant growth for the Trenchless Technology Center, including increasing funded projects and Industrial Advisory Board membership. Matthews was also recognized as the 2023 Trenchless Technology Person of the Year.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited about the future of our engineering programs and the TTC and look forward to creating more opportunities for our students and staff to impact the industry, including strengthening funded research projects to give students more real-world experience,鈥� said Matthews. 鈥淚鈥檓 thankful to receive this award from the Foundation and am appreciative of their work to support our University and students.鈥�
Demonstrating his commitment to student success, Matthews helped establish a new MS concentration in construction for the engineering management degree program to support construction engineering technology graduates who want to continue their education at 糖心传媒 Tech. He has advised more than 30 Ph.D. and master鈥檚 students and maintains a robust research portfolio. Since joining the COES faculty in 2017, Matthews has authored more than 50 journal publications, led student-centered research projects, and secured more than $10 million in external research funding.
鈥淥ur University鈥檚 focus on advancing transformational learning is made possible by outstanding faculty members like Dr. Matthews who use their expertise to maximize our students鈥� potential,鈥� said Dr. Donna Thomas, provost and vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淒r. Matthews鈥� commitment to recruiting, advising, and graduating students has had significant impact on educational objectives and applied research and is worthy of this recognition.鈥�
In addition to his teaching, advising, and research activities, Matthews has made lasting contributions to student groups through his dedication to outreach. He helped organize the American Society of Civil Engineers National Concrete Canoe Competition in 2022 and the National Steel Bridge Competition across the last year, resulting in hundreds of participants attending the events in Ruston.