A University of Tennessee chemical engineering professor has received a leadership award from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the recognized regional accrediting body in 11 southern states.
Dr. John W. Prados, UT vice president emeritus and university professor, received the James T. Rogers Meritorious Service Award at the 109th annual SACS conference recently held in Atlanta.
Prados received the award based on his leadership and service to SACS’ Commission on Colleges. He has served on the commission’s executive council, as a member of the committee on criteria and reports, and on the SACS board of trustees.
He also has chaired many visiting committees along with two criteria review committees.
“Dr. Prados was recognized for his valuable leadership to the Commission on Colleges, and his commitment and dedication to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools,” said Dr. James T. Rogers, executive director for the commission.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from my colleagues in Southern higher education,” Prados said.
“A great deal of the credit belongs to the University of Tennessee and my family for supporting my volunteer professional work and accepting the time and effort it has consumed, well beyond my ‘day job.'”
Prados began his UT career as a graduate assistant in 1953. He served as a consultant to Union Carbide Corp. and Martin Marietta Energy Systems in Oak Ridge, Tenn., as well as for more than 30 universities and state education agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Prados is a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and has served as AIChE treasurer and director. He has served as president of Sigma Xi, chair of the Scientific Research Society, and president of the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
He has been executive councilor of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and has chaired ABET and the SACS Commission on Colleges accreditation teams.
He was editor of the “Journal of Engineering Education” published by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).
Prados received the L.E. Grinter Distinguished Service Award, ABET’s highest recognition for service to engineering educations, and was named UT Macebearer, the highest faculty honor given by the university.