Shoup takes office as 125th president of ASME

Terry E. Shoup, Ph.D., P.E., a resident of San Jose, Calif., and professor of mechanical engineering at Santa Clara University, Calif., recently took office as the 125th president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers during the proceedings of the organization's 2006 summer annual meeting held in San Francisco. Dr. Shoup will serve a term of one year.

Speaking before a gathering of ASME leadership on June 20, Dr. Shoup said engineers are uniquely positioned to meet the myriad challenges facing the world today, including energy availability, water quality and security.

"Never in recorded history has the need for what engineers have to offer been as critical as it is today," Shoup said. "Engineers hold the technological keys that will unlock the barriers to our success."

He admonished ASME to continue its leadership in global technical standards, support of K-12 education programs, and its role as a resource on technical issues for government decision makers. In his speech, Shoup cited the Society's "reputation for value" and the role of ASME volunteers and staff in upholding that reputation.

Shoup has more than 35 years of experience in engineering education.  He began his academic career in 1969, when he joined the faculty of Rutgers University as an assistant professor. After leaving Rutgers in 1976, he moved on to teaching and high-level administrative posts at the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, and Florida Atlantic University, before joining Santa Clara University in 1989.

A registered professional engineer in the state of Ohio, Shoup has also worked as a design engineer and a consultant to industry, academia and government. Shoup has written more than 100 papers on mechanical design and applied mechanics, and is coauthor of Design of Machine Elements, which Prentice-Hall printed in the eighth edition in 2004.

Shoup is a Fellow of ASME and former member of the Society’s board of governors. During his 37 years of membership in ASME, he as served in leadership positions in the ASME Council on Education, in technical divisions, K-12 activities and initiatives aimed at young engineers.

"During the coming year we will focus our attention on meeting the needs of early-career engineers, because these people are the future of ASME and the future of our profession," said Shoup.

Dr. Shoup is the recipient of several honors and awards, including the ASME Gustus Larson Award for outstanding achievement in mechanical engineering, the Distinguished Service Award of the Council on Education and the Dow Outstanding Young Faculty Award of ASEE.  He also is the recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award from Ohio State University.  Dr. Shoup attended Ohio State from 1962 through 1969, where he earned his Ph.D., M.S.C. and B.M.E. degrees in mechanical engineering.

Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences.  ASME develops codes and standards that enhance public safety, and provides lifelong learning and technical exchange opportunities benefiting the engineering and technology community.