Kendra Sharp

Kendra Sharp, ADVANCE Seminar Graduate and professor of mechanical engineering, was honored for "going above and beyond normal activities" to "increase the value, importance and attractiveness of mechanical engineering education" through educational leadership. Sharp received the Edwin F. Church Medal for eminent service at the 2018 Mechanical Engineering Education Leadership Summit. Generally, faculty are expected to dedicate a percentage of their time to institutional service; however, departments and colleges often rely on women and other under-represented faculty to take on additional service in the form of unrecognized and invisible labor. Sharp's win not only represents her prolific work in educational leadership, it is a reminder that service has a direct impact on the "value, importance and attractiveness" of departments and colleges, and should be recognized and honored. 

LIFE@OSU

THE LIVES AND STORIES OF OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

May 18th, 2018

Awards & Honors

Sharp wins Edwin F. Church Medal

Kendra V. Sharp, Ph.D., was named the winner of the Edwin F. Church Medal at the 2018 Mechanical Engineering Education Leadership Summit. The award, which was established in 1972, is presented to an individual who has performed eminent service — above and beyond his or her normal activities — in increasing the value, importance and attractiveness of mechanical engineering education. Sharp received a certificate, a bronze medal and a $2,500 honorarium.

Sharp is a professor of mechanical engineering and the Richard and Gretchen Evans Professor of Humanitarian Engineering at Oregon State University. She was nominated for the award in recognition of her educational leadership achievements, which include establishing a formal humanitarian engineering program, teaching design in diverse global settings, and linking engineering to positive social impact. Sharp is also the co-author of more than 31 archival journal articles related to engineering design; small-scale hydropower and related development of climate software for power prediction, microfluidics including biological and energy applications; and experimental fluid mechanics.