Hutzel to be honored with 2011 Special Boilermaker Award

Bill Hutzel, professor of mechanical engineering technology, is one of two recipients of the 2011 Special Boilermaker Award, presented by the Purdue Alumni Association. The official presentation of the award will take place between quarters of the Purdue football game against Minnesota, October 8.

The Special Boilermaker award, established in 1981, honors a member of the Purdue faculty or staff who has contributed significantly to the improvement of the quality of life and/or the betterment of the educational experience for a substantial number of Purdue students.

A nomination letter highlighted Hutzel’s focus on creating real-world applications for information learned during classroom instruction. From his leadership in creating the Applied Energy Lab in Knoy 427 to his 17-year role as advisor to ASHRAE (American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers), he has helped provide many useful academic and networking experiences to his students.

For the last two years, Hutzel has served as the lead faculty advisor to the Purdue team that will compete at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 Sept. 23-Oct. 2. The team has brought together more than 200 students from six Purdue colleges to create a home that generates at least as much electricity as it uses.

Hutzel’s name will be listed on a permanent plaque on the Purdue Mall.

Read more information about Hutzel and his energy work on the Purdue Difference Makers site.