Engineering
Fellows
April 26, 2025
April 26, 2025
On behalf of The University of Alabama College of Engineering, our outstanding faculty and staff, and our wonderful students and alumni, it is my honor to congratulate the inductees of the 2025 class of Distinguished Engineering Fellows on their selection for this prestigious award. Since 1988, this commendation has been bestowed upon the College’s most esteemed and impactful alumni and friends and is a testament to the remarkable contributions and accomplishments of those who strengthen the reputation of our College and continue to propel its success.
Our Fellows have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also embodied a spirit of innovation, leadership and service. Their influential careers and unwavering commitment to the fields of engineering and computer science have had a profound impact on society, improving lives and driving technological advancements.
In addition to serving as exemplary ambassadors for our College, our Fellows are a beacon of inspiration for our students, faculty and staff. We are grateful for their dedication and the high standard of excellence they inspire us to strive for and achieve. This year’s class of Fellows has left an indelible mark on both our College and our world, and I am appreciative of their continued support in making our College one of the most impactful and successful engineering and computer science programs in the world.
Roll Tide!
– Dr. Clifford L. Henderson
Dean, College of Engineering
Each year, the College of Engineering inducts a select group of alumni and friends as Distinguished Engineering Fellows. Recognition as a Distinguished Fellow is the highest commendation given to graduates and others who have strengthened the reputation of the College of Engineering through their efforts. Learn more about Distinguished Engineering Fellows Throughout the Years.
James “Jim” Azar is a distinguished technology entrepreneur, computer scientist and business leader with a career spanning four decades in enterprise software development, systems management and IT consulting. After co-founding two prior successful companies, Azar founded Rhino USA in 2005. The company provides secure data backup services to small and medium-sized businesses, helps organizations safeguard critical data, and enhances its clients’ resilience against data loss and cybersecurity threats.
Jeffrey Barker’s career with Chevron spanned nearly forty years, where he held key engineering, operations and management roles. In his final role with the company, Barker served as project portfolio manager, where he oversaw an annual capital budget worth $800 million for oil and gas production and processing. In recognition of this exemplary service, Barker received the company’s highest project management certification as well as the company’s President’s Award and Chairman’s Award.
Since 2015, Dr. Vikram Gopal has served as senior vice president and chief technology officer at Ascend Performance Materials. Under his leadership, the company holds more than 700 patents and generates over 20% in specialty margins. Gopal was previously vice president of technology at Invista, where he spearheaded the launch of the company’s engineering polymers and nylon pipe businesses, which went on to capture over 15% of the global market and addressed a critical challenge in oil collection.
Tim King has worked with MTSI since 2008. Under his leadership, the office was added to the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber’s Best Places to Work Hall of Fame after receiving the distinction over 14 consecutive years. King became vice president in 2014 and began his current executive position in 2017. In this role, King leads MTSI’s Army and Missile Defense Division and is the Huntsville site lead, where he oversees business operations and aligns customer markets across six states.
Curtis Taylor is founder and CEO of Linc Research Inc. Under his leadership, the company has pioneered cutting-edge solutions, earning multiple patents, many in collaboration with NASA, and served clients including USSOCOM, Army PEO Aviation, SOFWERX and ARPA-E. The company’s contributions have been recognized with accolades including the NASA MSFC Small Business Subcontractor of the Year and the prestigious Nunn-Perry Award from the Department of Defense’s Mentor-Protégé Program.
Bonita Vincent has dedicated more than 25 years of service to IBM, where she has played a pivotal role in advancing technology and driving innovation. Her ability to navigate complex challenges and collaborate across global teams propelled her into influential roles, through which she has helped shape the future of technology. Today, she serves as an operations leader supporting IBM Consulting, leading strategic initiatives that harness AI and automation to enhance efficiency, boost productivity and accelerate business growth.
From left to right: Hannah Hazelwood, Shane Vanderhagen, Sophia Lotzow, Dean Clifford Henderson, Liam Papier, James Mathies, Brooke Barlow, Grace Schneider
The Capstone Engineering Society established the Outstanding Senior Award in 1986 to honor an exceptional student who deserves distinction among peers. Every year, a superior student is selected from each department in the College of Engineering. The overall winner is determined by a selection committee after assessing each student’s academic performance, professional and technical activities, College leadership, external leadership, and other activities.
Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
Chemical and Biological Engineering
Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering / 2025 OSA winner
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
The T. Morris Hackney Endowed Faculty Leadership Award honors a faculty member who exemplifies the constant guidance and leadership necessary to make The University of Alabama College of Engineering exceptional. Dr. C. Heath Turner, professor and associate dean for research and economic development, is the recipient of the 2025 T. Morris Hackney Endowed Faculty Leadership Award.
In 1995, The University of Alabama College of Engineering began a yearly tradition of recognizing an alum who provided excellent volunteer assistance to the College as the Outstanding Alumni Volunteer. The 2025 Outstanding Alumni Volunteer award recipient is Howard Allen “Al” Faulkner. Faulkner has built a distinguished engineering career spanning nearly four decades, marked by dedication to his profession, his alma mater, his community, and the next generation of engineers.