The Fleischer Prize in Green Technology

December 13, 2016 —

USC Viterbi School of Engineering (VSOE) students who have made significant contributions to the application of the methods and principles of engineering economic analysis to green technology are encouraged to apply for The Fleischer Prize In Green Technology. Included in this group of eligible students are those in VSOE minors. USC student groups whose membership includes at least one VSOE or VSOE minor student are also encouraged to apply. “Green technology,” in the context of the Fleischer Prize, refers to those plans, programs, mechanisms, and devices that are intended to improve the general quality of the environment. The Fleischer Prize In Green Technology is a $1,000 cash prize, which will be awarded each year for no less than ten (10) years commencing with the spring 2014 semester.

The “significant contribution” can be project reports or papers written for class purposes. It can also be papers submitted to, or published in, conferences or archival journals, as long as no professors or other full time or part time faculty are coauthors. The contribution submitted for The Fleischer Prize In Green Technology must include a title page that specifies the project title along with the names and electronic mail addresses of all contributors to the submitted document. The submission will be carefully evaluated by an oversight committee of four (7) USC VSOE faculty whose assessment will embrace considerations of the requirements and issues itemized below. This committee, for which Dr. Fleischer serves as an ex officio (without vote) member, is appointed by, and is responsible to, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering Dean or his appointed representative.

1. The paper submitted as an application for The Fleischer Prize In Green Technology must clearly define the societal implication and significance of the green engineering that is addressed. It must also address the professional ethics that are implicit to the addressed problem.
2. The paper must submit a realistic economic cost analysis that serves to assess the reality and pragmatic viability of the addressed project.
3. The paper must clarify the materials, processes, applications, and technologies that are required to establish project viability.
4. A one (1) page Executive Summary, which is divorced of acronyms and engineering slang, must be included with each submission. This summary should provide a succinct, but illuminating, overview of project intentions. It is specifically intended to give the reader/evaluator a concise and clear indication of the significance, relevance, creativity, and economic value of the green undertaking.
5. The submitted document that accompanies the Executive Summary can be no more than twenty (20) pages in length. Its textual lines must subscribe to space and half spacing. This twenty page limit includes all text, figures and diagrams, photographs, and references.
6. An applicant’s document must be submitted online as a PDF file by no later than 30 April 2017. Click here to upload your paper submission. Applicants will receive an acknowledgment of to their submissions. The winner of the prize will be notified prior to the USC 2017 commencement exercises.
    

 

For questions please contact Geza Bottlik here

ABOUT THE AWARD

The National Engineering Economy Teaching Excellence Award is granted biannually by the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE). The award was created by a $500,000 contribution from Dr. Donald Newnan, Professor Emeritus of the California State University at San Jose. The inaugural award, which carries a $10,000 honorarium, was presented to Dr. Gerald Fleischer at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the ASEE. Dr. Fleischer elected not to keep the honorarium. Instead, he generously donated its entire amount to the USC VSOE for the purpose of establishing the annual Fleischer Prize In Green Technology.

ABOUT DR. FLEISCHER

Dr. Fleischer

Dr. Fleischer earned his baccalaureate degree in industrial engineering from St. Louis University in 1954. In 1959, he completed his Master of Science degree in industrial engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, and in 1962, he earned his doctorate from Stanford University. Following a three-year enlistment in the United States Navy and academic positions with both Stanford University and the University of Michigan, he came to USC in 1964 as an Associate Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE). From 1971 to 1997 he was Professor of ISE, and in 1998, he became Professor Emeritus. While at USC, Dr. Fleischer was immersed in various academic activities and positions, including University Marshall from 1982 to 1987 and President of the Academic Senate from 1996 to 1997. Additionally, he co-founded the Engineering Faculty Council, a pivotally important faculty governance organization, in 1992 and served as its President from 1995 to 1997.

To say that Dr. Fleischer is an internationally renowned academician is patent understatement. To wit, he has served as a UNESCO expert in Engineering Economics in Venezuela, he was a Fulbright Senior Lecturer in Ecuador, and he served as a Visiting Professor at the Chinese University Faculty of Business and Faculty of Engineering in Hong Kong. He chaired the editorial board of The Engineering Economist, he has been a Fellow of the Institute for the Advancement of Engineering since 1976, and he was elected Fellow of the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) in 1978. Dr. Fleischer is the 1991 recipient of the Wellington Award, which is given annually to the Outstanding Engineering Economist in industrial engineering. 

PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE DONOR

It is my hope and expectation that The Prize will serve in some small way to illuminate rational decision-making relative to this area of critical importance to the Nation’s future. It is this view that the consequent economic costs, both direct and indirect, of investments in green technology are too often ignored or little appreciated by the general public as well as corporate entities and governmental agencies. (GAF)