Ed Gerding, president of S&T’s Academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers, presents Dr. Serhat Hosder a plaque commemorating the James A. Drallmeier Centennial Professorship.
The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department is proud to announce Dr. Serhat Hosder as the inaugural holder of the James A. Drallmeier Centennial Professorship, an accolade celebrating Dr. James A. Drallmeier’s excellence in leadership.
The campaign to endow this professorship has been a testament to perseverance and vision. It saw considerable acceleration with Dr. Drallmeier at the helm as Chair, who strategically capitalized on the Centennial celebrations of 2016 to enhance the department’s development drives. In a pivotal move in 2021, Dr. David Bayless reached out to the Academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers, advocating for the vital support needed to bring this vision to fruition—a move instrumental in equipping the department with a means to honor and retain distinguished faculty.
The recipient of the inaugural James A. Drallmeier Centennial Professorship was selected by a committee of named professors in and outside the department, with confirmation of the Dean and approval of the Provost. Dr. Hosder was formally bestowed with the professorship during the 28th Missouri S&T Academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers Induction Ceremony held on October 26, 2023, in Missouri S&T.
Dr. Hosder expressed his gratitude, saying, “It is a great honor for me to receive the James A. Drallmeier Centennial Professorship. With this prestigious recognition, I am excited to further promote excellence in research, graduate student mentorship, teaching, and professional service; and contribute to the visibility and reputation of our department.”
An internationally renowned figure in hypersonics and presiding Chair of the Aerospace Technical Committee in the department, Dr. Hosder’s selection reflects the high caliber of the faculty in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Dr. David Bayless encapsulated the sentiment: “I am thrilled that this professorship could be awarded. It reflects not only the outstanding work of Dr. Hosder, but the overall quality of the faculty in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the commitment the Academy and alumni of the department have to its future.”