Meriam/Wiley Distinguished Author Award

Nomination Open: 11/29/2021

Nomination Deadline: 02/29/2024

This Award is offered biennially in even numbered calendar years. Engineering textbooks have long played a vital role in the education of engineering students and promise to continue their key influence in the years ahead. In order to maximize the influence of a technical book, not only should its subject be presented with clarity and conciseness, but the applications of its theory to relevant phases of engineering practice should also be illustrated with interesting, realistic and contemporary examples. This close connection between theory and practice provides a strong incentive for the student and is a key factor in determining the success of the book. The need to emphasize the close coupling between theory and practice in basic engineering science courses was specially recognized by Professor James L. Meriam and John Wiley & Sons in the early 1950s. The resulting texts on engineering mechanics that have been authored and published by this team have set standards of excellence in the field both nationally and internationally. The author and publisher wish to share some of the benefits of their work with colleagues in engineering education and have established an award to recognize excellence in the authorship of engineering books. The Award: The award consists of a $2,000 honorarium and a certificate. It will be presented biennially at the ASEE Annual Conference if distinguished authorship is clearly established.

The award is to be given for work that contributes to the advancement of technical and professional competence at the undergraduate or graduate level. Although intended primarily for books written for use in professional engineering schools, books that contribute to the advancement of engineering technology are not ruled out, provided the treatment contains a strong component of analytical contribution. Excluded, on the other hand, are works that represent descriptive or how-to-do activities. The award encourages new contributions rather than recognizes previous contributions of proven merit. For this reason only first edition books published within four years of the award deadline are eligible. Strong consideration is to be given to the excellence of illustrations that portray or explain engineering components or systems relevant to the subject of the book. Finally, student reaction to the book will constitute an important element in the evaluation process. Nomination: To aid the Award Committee in its evaluations, it is essential that the committee members be furnished examination copies of the book. Please make arrangements with the publisher to be prepared to send copies to each of the committee members upon receipt of their names and addresses. Include the name, address and telephone number of the publisher's representative with the nomination package.

National Award nominators must send their complete nomination form and supporting documents to awards@asee.org.
Nomination Form (PDF)

Nominations are automatically transferred over for the next award cycle. If not selected, nominations can be re-submitted after one award cycle.

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