Lafayette Engineering's distinguished educators are honored for achievement and legacy.
The 2024-25 academic year marks a period of achievement and transition for our distinguished faculty in engineering. From awards and promotions to the celebration of remarkable careers, the engineering faculty continues to exemplify excellence in teaching, research, and service.
Christa Kelleher ’08, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, has been appointed the Kate and Walter A. Scott ’59 Scholar in Engineering for a three-year term, recognizing her research on how hydrologic processes and water quality are influenced by human activity. Dr. Kelleher is a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award recipient—the agency’s most prestigious recognition for early-career faculty. While teaching at Syracuse University in 2020, she also received the Francis A. Kohout Early Career Award from the Hydrogeology Division of the Geological Society of America.
Michael McGuire, department head of civil and environmental engineering, received the Carl R. and Ingeborg Beidleman Research Award and was promoted to professor. As a geotechnical engineer, Dr. McGuire conducts applied research that advances the design of sustainable geotechnical infrastructure. His work directly informs the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, and buildings, and is widely disseminated to civil engineering practitioners. Dr. McGuire previously served as a senior staff engineer with Schnabel Engineering and as an engineering consultant on major projects, including performing stability and deformation calculations on floodwalls in New Orleans.
Kristen Sanford, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, was promoted to professor. She was also recognized this past year with the American Society of Civil Engineers Region 2 Outstanding ASCE Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (JEDI) Award for her commitment to DEIJ in her teaching, scholarship, and service. Her research and teaching focus on sustainable, equitable infrastructure, particularly transportation systems, aiming to better prepare civil engineers to design and manage these systems for equity, economic viability, and environmental sustainability. She serves on the Lehigh Valley American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Board as a director, student chapter liaison, and DEI liaison. She has been active at the national level in ASCE education-related committees and has been a member of the Transportation & Development Institute’s Infrastructure Systems Committee for over 25 years.
Lindsay Soh, associate professor and department head of chemical and biomolecular engineering, received the Vincent Viscomi Engineering Prize for Excellence in Mentoring and Teaching. This award recognizes a member of the engineering faculty who has most exemplified outstanding mentoring and teaching. Dr. Soh previously received a 2020 Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award, which included an unrestricted research grant of $75,000, for her work in designing sustainable biorefinery products and processes using green chemistry and engineering. She previously served as the Kate and Walter A. Scott ’59 Scholar in Engineering for her work in creating interdisciplinary opportunities for students by teaching courses such as Alternative Energy Sources and Green Engineering.
Mary Roth ’83 was honored with the Ann V. McGillicuddy-De Lisi Faculty Academic Adviser of the Year award and is retiring as Simon Cameron Long Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Emerita. Dr. Roth’s research focused on improving the safety of structures that rely on the support provided by soil and rock. Beyond her academic achievements, she is credited with bringing the beloved Adirondack chairs to campus, creating dynamic spaces that support the College’s mission and build community. An accomplished musician who plays the English concertina, she embodies the liberal arts spirit of the institution.
Arthur Kney is retiring as Professor Emeritus of Civil and Environmental Engineering after a distinguished career focused on water quality issues, fate and transport of nutrients in the environment, and developing sustainable approaches to water and wastewater treatment. He served as director of the Landis Center for Community Engagement from 2018-2022, promoting active and committed citizenship through experiential learning and reflective service. Dr. Kney’s mentorship of student environmental initiatives led to the institutionalization of campus composting and generated more than $200,000 in grants and donations in support of the effort.
James Schaffer is retiring as Professor Emeritus of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering after 34 years on Lafayette’s faculty. He served as director of engineering from 2000-2007 and specialized in the physical and electronic structure of materials. Professor Schaffer was honored as the nation’s most outstanding young engineering educator by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) in 1998, receiving the George Westinghouse Award. His prolific career includes four grants, two textbooks, two patents, dozens of published papers, and mentorship of more than 30 Lafayette students in research. He also served as the founding director of Lafayette’s Office of Institutional Research.
These achievements, promotions, and retirements represent the continued excellence and evolution of engineering faculty. As we celebrate these milestones, we recognize the lasting impact these distinguished educators and researchers have made on our students, our institution, and their respective fields of study.