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Home Distinguished Alumni Awards Distinguished Alumni Award Winner

Distinguished Alumni Award

Robert L. Smith 47BSCE, 48MS

1990 Achievement Award

Robert L. Smith, 47BSCE, 48MS, is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Kansas and civil engineer specializing in water resources. In both academia and government, Smith has worked to ensure the quality and availability of water. He is known as a diligent, resourceful, and conscientious engineer. Now retired after four decades of teaching, Smith's former students praise his dedication and credit him for their own successful engineering careers. More than an able instructor, his involvement with students extended beyond the classroom. Smith's colleagues and prot�g�s from around the country praise his continuing involvement in their lives.

Teaching by example, Smith has had an accomplished career as an engineer and public servant. Instrumental in shaping water policy for the state of Kansas and Iowa, his pioneering studies became the model for other states around the nation. Smith served as special assistant on water resources for President Lyndon Johnson and his work on water availability has been used in 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and nine foreign countries.

Smith has earned awards for both technical achievement and public service. In 1975, he was one of the first UI engineering graduates elected to the National Academy of Engineering. In 1988, he received the Julian Hinds Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers, and in 1980 he was awarded the U.S. Geological Survey's Centennial plaque. Both honors recognized his sustained contributions to water resource management.

An enthusiastic UI supporter, Smith and his wife Lucille, 48BA, are members of the Alumni Association, the Old Capitol Club, and the UI Foundation's Presidents Club.

About Distinguished Alumni Awards

Since 1963, the University of Iowa has annually recognized accomplished alumni and friends with Distinguished Alumni Awards. Awards are presented in seven categories: Achievement, Service, Hickerson Recognition, Faculty, Staff, Recent Graduate, and Friend of the University.

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Top 10 Iowa Magazine Stories of 2018

With the start of a new year upon us, it's time to look back at your favorite University of Iowa stories from 2018. Here are Iowa Magazine's top 10 most-read articles of the year: The Nomadic Life (spring 2018) Hawkeye football favorite Paki O'Meara (10BA) finds ultimate freedom in backpacking around the world, taking photos that inspire a sense of wonder. PHOTO COURTESY PAKI O'MEARA Kinnick at 100 (summer 2018) This past summer marked two historically significant dates for Hawkeye fans: the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nile Kinnick (40BA), and the 75th anniversary of his tragic death. In memory of Iowa's favorite son, scholar, and Ironman, we look back on his life and legacy. Ahead of the Game (spring 2018) The Iowa football team becomes the first in the nation to equip the majority of its players with a state-of-the-art new helmet designed to improve player safety. PHOTO: MARK STASTNY Hollywood U (fall 2018) Alumni success in TV and film shines the spotlight on Iowa's? flourishing screenwriting program. ILLUSTRATION: FABIEN GILBERT / ARTISTIQUE INTERNATIONAL Mountain Roots (spring 2018) Nearly 80 years ago, an unlikely UI mountain-climbing club emerged from the cornfields of Iowa to become one of the most active in the world. Now the next generation of outdoorsmen continue in their Hawkeye family's footsteps. PHOTO COURTESY EBERT FAMILY The Secrets of Sleep (fall 2018) UI doctors and researchers work to shine light on the third of our lives we spend in the dark. Illustration: John Emigh Fry's Dream Team (fall 2018) FRYFest honors Hayden Fry's legendary 1983 coaching tree. PHOTO: UI ATHLETICS Going the Distance (spring 2018) UI-trained dentist Deb Carneol (92DDS) completes seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. PHOTO: MARK CONLON/WORLDMARATHONCHALLENGE.COM At 105, Our Oldest Hawkeye? (spring 2018) Catherine Shaw Shors (35BSC), who earned her business degree from Iowa more than eight decades ago, celebrated a milestone birthday in May. 1936 HAWKEYE YEARBOOK A Heroic Homecoming (spring 2018) Avengers: Infinity War director Joe Russo (92BA) receives a superhero's welcome at his alma mater. PHOTOS: Justin Torner

UIVA Alumni Organization

The UIVA Alumni Organization serves and connects alumni and students who share the common bond of military service.

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