Engineering Inducts Five New Members Into Hall of Distinction

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 15, 2011) − The University of Kentucky College of Engineering Hall of Distinction inducted its five newest members in a ceremony this afternoon in the Davis Marksbury Building on the UK campus.

The 2011 inductees represent several professions and career paths, yet all have distinguished themselves in their pursuits and in civic and community leadership. This is the 20th class of inductees to the college's Hall of Distinction.

The inductees are:

• J. Steven Gardner, B.S. Agricultural Engineering, 1975 and M.S. Mining Engineering, 1991.  Gardner is president and CEO of Engineering Consulting Services, Inc., where he is responsible for business and project management, planning and development. ECSI, based in Lexington, provides civil, mining, and environmental engineering services, surveying, health and safety evaluation and training, litigation support and laboratory and analytical services.

• Joan E. Herbig, M.S. Computer Science, 1986.  Herbig is CEO of ControlScan in Atlanta.  She is responsible for business operations and is focused on growing the company's revenues and expanding its position as a leading PCI compliance and security provider focused on small-to-medium-sized merchants.

• Clifford W. Randall, B.S. Civil Engineering, 1959 and M.S. Civil Engineering, 1963. Randall served on the faculty at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Blacksburg, Va., where he served as chair of the Environmental Engineering and Sciences programs from 1979-96 and as a professor until 2001 when he attained emeritus status.  His areas of interest include biological nutrient removal, eutrophication, industrial wastewater treatment and water pollution control.

• Steven S. Saran, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 1987. Saran is chairman of the board of Saran Holding, a company he founded in 1989 that is a 100 percent privately owned entity in Turkey. Saran Holding incorporates 29 companies including the Saran Defense, Saran Broadcasting, Saran Media, Saran Energy and Saran Health sectors and employs over 2,000 people.

• W. Terry Strange, B.S. Chemical Engineering, 1972 and M.S. Chemical Engineering, 1974. Strange is the site manager for a state-of-the-art semiconductor facility now under construction for Hemlock Semiconductor in Clarksville, Tenn.  He is responsible for the development of all procedures, standards and job roles to commission, start-up and operate the Clarksville site. 

John Wesley Gunn, class of 1890, earned the first engineering degree awarded by what eventually became the University of Kentucky.  Since that modest beginning over 120 years ago, more than 21,000 individuals have followed his example and received degrees in engineering and computer science.  Through their extraordinary achievements, UK engineering alumni have established a lasting legacy of excellence.  Initiated in 1992, the Hall of Distinction recognizes and honors those alumni who have demonstrated distinguished professional accomplishments, outstanding character and commitment to community service.  This recognition serves to encourage exemplary achievements by current students and others.  It is a symbol of the respect and admiration held by the College of Engineering for these esteemed individuals.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, (859) 257-1754 ext. 254; Jenny.Wells@uky.edu