Each year the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) gives its highest honor, the Dean’s Award for Achievement, to someone who has made a substantial contribution to the practice of engineering or the applied sciences and/or has had an exceptional professional career. Quite often the recipient has also performed outstanding service for the School or University.

This year’s recipient, Dr. Steven L. Lerner, Praxair* senior vice president and chief technology officer, has excelled in all of these areas.

Dr. Lerner joined Praxair in 1989 as manager of process chemistry in Applications Research and Development. He was appointed associate director, Process and Systems in 1992, and director in 1993. In 2000, he became vice president, Process and Systems. He was promoted to his present position in 2001.

Dr. Lerner earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from The Cooper Union, New York, and received a doctorate in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Princeton University. While at Princeton, he was a recipient of a Guggenheim fellowship. He is also a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program.

Dr. Lerner is a member and past chairman of the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences Dean’s Council and serves on the advisory board of the Institute of Materials Science of the University of Connecticut. Lerner is also a member of the board of the Industrial Research Institute and is on the industrial advisory board of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Between 1995 and 1999, he was a member of the China Economic and Technology Alliance. He holds 10 patents and has published articles in numerous scientific journals.

We are appreciative of Dr. Lerner’s role in Praxair’s generosity to our School. In addition to being a leading employer of our graduates, Praxair supports its employees who wish to pursue graduate studies at UB; conducts considerable research with our faculty; contributes financial gifts to sponsor seminars, student activities, fellowships, and laboratory development; and lends employees to bring science, engineering and management expertise to our classrooms.

Today, we recognize Dr. Lerner with this year’s Dean’s Award for his career achievements and his support of our School.

*Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2004 sales of $6.6 billion. Praxair products, services and technology bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, chemicals, food and beverage, electronics, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, metals and others.