Class of 2026 honors Chris Depcik with HOPE Award

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas senior class has recognized a professor of mechanical engineering with the 2025 HOPE Award — Honor for the Outstanding Progressive Educator. 

Christopher Depcik was presented with the award Nov. 1 during halftime of the Homecoming football game between KU and Oklahoma State.

The HOPE Award was established by the Class of 1959 and is given to a faculty member who greatly affects students’ lives and exemplifies Jayhawk values in the classroom through exceptional teaching strategies. Today, the award remains the only honor given to faculty by the senior class through the Student Alumni and Endowment Board.  

Students who nominated Depcik for the award noted his efforts to connect course content to life outside the classroom in interesting and applicable ways, as well as the dedication “Dr. D.” has to showing respect and attention to students so they feel comfortable asking for help.

Most important, one student noted, Depcik reassures his students that a poor grade isn’t a reflection of who they are as a student or an individual.

“Before every test he speaks at the front of the class and lets us know no matter the outcome of this exam, at the end of the day we are still going to be OK and on a path to success,” the student wrote.

Depcik is an American Society of Mechanical Engineers Fellow and also holds a courtesy appointment with the Department of Aerospace Engineering. He has received numerous departmental, school, university, national and international awards for his service, research and teaching efforts. 

Depcik’s laboratory conducts research revolving around a sustainable approach to energy and the transportation infrastructure. This includes analysis of electric vehicles, biofuels, combustion and energy recovery potential. He has published over 130 refereed articles and is in the World’s Top 2% of Scientists.

His EcoHawks students have designed and researched electrified vehicles and renewable energy sources, including the interconnection of vehicles and energy systems with the electrical grid. 

After earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida, Depcik earned three degrees from the University of Michigan. Preceding a doctorate in mechanical engineering, he earned two master’s degrees: one in mechanical engineering and one in aerospace engineering.