John W. Sutherland, the Fehsenfeld Family Head of Environmental and Ecological Engineering was awarded the Frederick George Pohland Medal at the AEESP Research and Education Conference in St. Louis, Missouri on June 30, 2022. 

The Pohland Medal honors an individual who has made sustained and outstanding efforts to bridge environmental engineering research, education, and practice and is given on behalf of AEESP (Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors) and AAEES (American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists).  The Medal was established to honor Dr. Frederick G. Pohland (1931-2004), a Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Professor and Edward R. Weidlein Chair of Environmental Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. He received numerous honors and awards and was the author of more than 150 technical and scientific publications. Dr. Pohland was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1993 for advancing the theory of anaerobic treatment processes and applications to solid waste management. He received his Ph.D. from Purdue University in 1961.

Sutherland was honored for his work to bridge the fields of manufacturing and environmental engineering through preeminent research scholarship, award winning teaching, and impact on engineering practice. He is one of the founders of the Green Manufacturing discipline that has the objectives of reducing adverse environmental impacts and improving occupational health, while maintaining manufacturing competitiveness. His past recognitions include the SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award, NSF PECASE, SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award, SME Education Award, SAE International John Connor Environmental Award, ASME Ennor Manufacturing Technology Award, and SME Gold Medal. Sutherland is a Fellow of SME, ASME, CIRP, and AAAS.

When asked about the award, Dr. Sutherland said, “I am profoundly honored to receive the Frederick George Pohland Medal. This award is especially meaningful because it is named for a Purdue alumnus and honors those who, like Professor Pohland, successfully integrated research, education, and practice.  Previous Pohland Medal recipients have made enormous contributions to our field; I am blown away to see my name added to that list.”