Bevlee Watford honored with emerita status
Bevlee Watford, known for pioneering the Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity in the College of Engineering, has been conferred the title of professor emerita, associate dean emerita, and executive director emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The emerita title may be conferred on retired faculty members who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.
A member of the Virginia Tech faculty since 1992 when she joined in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Watford is best known for being the founding executive director of Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity and the associate dean of equity and engagement. In addition, she held various roles at Virginia Tech, including interim department head, director of the Ware Lab, and associate dean of academic affairs.
Watford held a variety of positions of national leadership, including president of the Women in Engineering ProActive Network, president of the American Society for Engineering Education, and a current distinguished member of the National Science Board.
Her numerous awards include: the Virginia Tech Black Alumni Career Achievement Award, Black Engineer of the Year - Educator Award, NAMEPA President’s Award, NSBE-ExxonMobil Impact Award, American Society for Engineering Education Fellow, the ABET Claire Felbinger Diversity Award, and the WEPAN Founders Award.
Watford earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Virginia Tech.
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