Leaving a lasting legacy
Three prominent faculty members retired this year, but their efforts leave a lasting legacy at Fulton Engineering.
William (Bill) Badger served as professor in the Del E. Webb School of Construction Managementfor 25 years, including 17 years as the school’s director. His vision and commitment has helped ASU garner recognition as one of the top construction programs in the nation. Over the course of his tenure, Badger helped build many of the Del E. Webb School of Construction’s endowments and scholarships, including the $4 million endowment after which the school is now named.Prior to his work at Arizona State University, Badger had a distinguished 26-year career in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, serving in China, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Europe and the United States. A registered Professional Engineer and member of the National Academy of Construction, Badger holds a doctoral degree in soil mechanics from Iowa State University, a master’s in civil engineering from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Auburn University.
Joseph Palais served as professor and graduate program chair for the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, as well as academic director, Online and Professional Programs. He has contributed chapters to numerous books, and published a textbook that has been translated into Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Persian. Palais is a Life Fellow of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers and has received major awards from the organization for educational and research contributions.Palais was the first recipient of the Daniel Jankowski Legacy Award, which honors faculty whose contributions in teaching, research and public service are considered significant in advancing the mission of the school. He continues to serve on the nominating committee which selects recipients every two years.
Ronald Roedel, professor in the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, joined the faculty in 1981 and was associate dean of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. He has always tried to carry out research and teaching activities in equal measure. Recently, he has become involved in curriculum reform issues, active-learning strategies and technology-enhanced education. On the research side, he has been involved in semiconductor research for more than 25 years, first with silicon, then with compound semiconductor materials and now with silicon again. He is the author or co-author of 35 publications, roughly 50 presentations and two book chapters. He holds two patents in the fields of semiconductor characterization and engineering education.
