Dr. Keith Johnson: Making an impact on engineering education
Dr. Keith Johnson (left) is pictured on stage receiving the James H. McGraw Award, presented by Dr. Doug Tougaw, American Society for Engineering Education president, during the 2024 ASEE annual meeting in Portland, Oregon.
The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) has recognized Dr. Keith Johnson of East Tennessee State University for his contributions to the field.
Johnson recently received the ASEE James H. McGraw Award, which consists of a $1,000 honorarium and a plaque. The presentation was made during the organization’s annual conference in Portland, Oregon.
Johnson, ETSU’s vice president for Equity and Inclusion, is a professor of engineering technology and chair of the Department of Engineering, Engineering Technology, Interior Architecture and Surveying.
He joined the university as an assistant professor in 1993 after earning his Ph.D. in industrial technology from The Ohio State University and has served as department chair since 2001. He has led the department through successful ABET, CIDA and NASAD accreditations. In addition, he was instrumental in the launch of ETSU’s new mechatronics engineering program, which begins this fall.
Johnson remains active in teaching, service and research, and was influential in creating a joint engineering degree program with Tennessee Tech. He represents ETSU nationally through the ASEE, the Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration and other organizations.
“We are so proud of Dr. Johnson and the significant impact he has made on the field of engineering technology,” said Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at ETSU. “His influence on our students, both in the classroom and as an administrator, has a far-reaching, positive effect in businesses and communities in our region and beyond.”
The namesake of the McGraw Award, which was established in 1950 by the McGraw-Hill Book Company, was recognized as “the dean of industrial publishers.” McGraw spent around 40 years in the publishing business, beginning as a teacher before turning to subscription sales. He went on to lay the foundation of one of the largest industrial publishing organizations in the world.
The award is now co-sponsored by McGraw-Hill Higher Education, the Engineering Technology Council and the Engineering Technology Division of ASEE. Recipients are chosen for their contributions to engineering technology education through teaching, publications, administration, and such activities as participation in engineering technology studies and surveys and leadership in local and national institute groups.
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