William Durfee Receives 2026 ASME Ruth and Joel Spira Outstanding Design Educator Award

Professor William Durfee has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 ASME Ruth and Joel Spira Outstanding Design Educator Award.

Professor Durfee is being recognized for his sustained contributions to engineering design education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. His work leverages experiential, hands-on learning and fosters interdisciplinary connections, while advancing university-industry collaboration to provide meaningful experiences for students.

The ASME Ruth and Joel Spira Outstanding Design Educator Award was established in 2001 to recognize individuals who exemplify excellence in furthering engineering design education. Recipients are chosen for their vision, scholarship, and interactions with students and industry, serving as role models for other educators to emulate through their impact on the next generation of engineers.