Alumni Awards & Advisory Board

Distinguished Engineering Service Awards

The Distinguished Engineering Service Award (DESA) honors KU engineering alumni or engineers who have maintained a close association with the university for outstanding contributions to the profession of engineering and to society. 

The Distinguished Engineering Service Award is the highest honor bestowed by the School of Engineering. Awards are made on the basis of an individual's contribution to the theories and practices of engineering, research and development in new fields of engineering, or direction of an organization that has made exceptional contributions in design, production and development. 

Nominations for the Distinguished Engineering Service Award are solicited each year from alumni and friends of the School of Engineering and are considered by a subcommittee of the Advisory Board. Learn more about the DESA nomination process. Recipients receive a distinctive trophy and have their likeness and achievements added to the DESA wall of honor in Eaton Hall.