Dr. Russ Meier was elevated to the role of IEEE Fellow effective Jan. 1, 2018. Meier is a professor in MSOE’s Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department and a longtime, award-winning member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The IEEE is the world’s leading professional association for advancing technology for humanity. Through its 400,000-plus members in 160 countries, the association is a leading authority on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics.

According to the IEEE, the grade of Fellow is conferred by the IEEE Board of Directors upon a person with an outstanding record of accomplishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest. Meier was cited for his contributions to global online engineering education. The IEEE Fellow is the highest grade of membership and is recognized by the technical community as a prestigious honor and important career achievement.

Earlier this year Meier was elected 2017-2018 president-elect of the IEEE Education Society. He will automatically become the 2019-2020 IEEE Education Society president. Societies are knowledge communities of like-minded IEEE members working together to provide cutting-edge research and knowledge dissemination on various topics. The IEEE Education Society is an international community of thousands of IEEE members that promote, advance, and disseminate state-of-the-art scientific information and resources related to the theory and practice of engineering and computer science education. Meier has spent 15 years working with the Society to develop and deliver continuing education products and services. He is also known for his research into best practices using social media, distance education, and remote laboratories in university education.

Among Meier’s other awards and achievements, the Engineers & Scientists of Milwaukee Inc. (known today as STEM Forward) named him Young Engineer of the Year in 2009. Then in 2012, the International Society for Engineering Education awarded him the title “International Engineering Educator Honoris Causa” for his outstanding contributions in the field of engineering education and for longtime dedicated work as an engineering educator. In addition, multiple universities have recognized him for excellence in education. These honors include the Oscar Werwath Distinguished Teacher Award (MSOE, 2013) and the Warren B. Boast Undergraduate Teaching Award (Iowa State University, 1998).

The IEEE Education Society will formally recognize Meier as a new Fellow during its annual awards banquet at the Frontiers in Education Conference, Oct. 3-6, 2018, in San Jose, California. IEEE Region 4 will also recognize him at its annual Fellows Gala in early 2018.