ECHR PRESENTS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO LINDA VAHALA

The Engineers Club of Hampton Roads recently presented its Distinguished Service Award to Linda Vahala, associate dean of the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology.

Vahala received the honor at the ECHR's annual Engineering Excellence Banquet in late February. It's only the second time ECHR has presented the award. Vahala has served as club treasurer, director and president during her time on the ECHR board of directors.

Matt Maxwell of the ECHR board said Vahala was chosen for the award because she has enriched the Hampton Roads community through her pursuit of engineering excellence.

"She is well accomplished and continues to be involved in many different professional endeavors," Maxwell said. "She makes time for her students, is an active ECHR member and has truly made a difference at many different levels within our community. She is one of many reasons why Old Dominion University is such a distinguished institution of higher learning and an important partner within Hampton Roads.

An associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, Vahala joined ODU in 1987. In addition to her role as associate dean, she serves as director of the Engineering Fundamentals Division and the Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program.

She is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Physics Society, Eta Kappa Nu Association, Sigma Pi Sigma and Society of Woman Engineers.

Vahala has received awards and honors from multiple honor societies and is a Gordon Bell finalist for Super Computing. She was recognized as the Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Member at ODU in 1999, and received the Peninsula Engineer of the Year Award in 1995.