The Dean's Award for Engineering Achievement is awarded this year to Henry P. Semmelhack, founder and president of Barrister Information Systems Corporation, for his outstanding contributions to engineering in Western New York.

Semmelhack received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He also served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineering Corps from 1958-1960. Upon competing his military service, he returned to his alma mater where he was an instructor from 1960-1962.

Moving from academia to industry, Semmelhack was hired in 1962 as an electrical engineer by the Calspan Corporation, then Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, Inc. From 1962-1968, he was active in a number of important electrical engineering projects.

In 1968, Semmelhack founded Comptek Research, Inc., a supplier of software and computer systems to the U.S. Navy and Air Force. He later established Barrister Information Systems Corporation as an offshoot of Comptek's Office Automation Division. Barrister specializes in the manufacture, installation, and support of computer systems for the legal industry.

Active in many honorary societies, Semmelhack is a member of IEEE, Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu, and Sigma Xi. He has received a number of engineering honors and awards; in 1974, he was selected Western New York Computer Man of the Year. Semmelhack is also heavily involved in community service organizations, including YMCA, United Way of Buffao, the Greater Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, Studio Arena Theatre, the Western New York Technology Development Center, and the Erie County Citizens Salary Review Commission. He serves on the Board of Directors of Comptek Research, M&T Bank, Merchants Group, Inc., and Captex RDC.