The Edward E. Whitacre College of Engineering celebrates esteemed alumni with the Distinguished Engineer Awards.

It is with immense honor that we announce the recipients for the 2025 Distinguished Engineer Awards. The Distinguished Engineer Awards aims to acknowledge and commend esteemed alumni whose impactful contributions have not only enhanced society but also brought distinction to the Whitacre College of Engineering. By spotlighting these accomplishments of the Whitacre College of Engineering, it boosts the pride of past and present students, as well as faculty and staff alike. 

The 2025 award recipients are as follows: 

Young Distinguished Engineer

Raphael B. Akinsipe - 2016, Civil Engineering 

Distinguished Engineers

Jennafer Piper Covington, PE, BCEE - 2001, Environmental Engineering

Executive Director and General Manager of North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD)

Todd Denton - 1986, Electrical Engineering 

Senior Vice President of Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) and Field Operations Support for Phillips 66

Roger Jeschke - 1974, Mechanical Engineering

Retired President of National Pump Company (NPC)

Marc L. Levitan, Ph.D., F.SEI - 1985, 1988, 1993, Civil Engineering

Research Wind Engineer for National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Chad Smith - 2001, Computer Science

Chief Operating Officer for Truno Retail Technology Solutions 

James A. “Jim” McAuley Distinguished Engineering Student Award 

Vincent Micus - Graduating May 2025 in Mechanical Engineering

The 2025 Texas Tech Distinguished Engineer award marks a milestone in our legacy. Established in 1962, this prestigious honor has celebrated the excellence of 250 remarkable engineers over the years. It was recognized that these awards were to be given for outstanding achievement, both inside as well as outside the profession, and that no compromises diminishing the significance of the awards would be made.