RUSTON, LA, November 05, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present William Thomas Straughan, PhD, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Dr. Straughan celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Dr. Straughan is a distinguished mechanical and structural engineer who, after 27 years in industry, transitioned into academia. After acquiring faculty appointments at Texas Tech University and the University of New Orleans, he was then recruited by Louisiana Tech University in 1992 in the College of Engineering & Science. Teaching on the Ruston campus for a total of 10 years, Dr. Straughan later retired in 2005 before spending another five years as a visiting professor. While his primary teaching responsibilities involved the teaching of undergraduate and graduate courses in the Civil Engineering field, he also taught courses in the field of Mechanical Engineering. In total, he taught 30 different courses in these two professional fields.
Leading an impressive career in the field for many years, Dr. Straughan was employed by several great organizations throughout the country, beginning with General Dynamics Corporation in Chicago in 1959 as a project engineer. As Chief Project and Design Engineer, for General Foods Corp., Kankakee, Illinois, he successfully oversaw the design and startup of the original Gainesburger plant. He later led a team as Plant Engineering Manager between 1964 and 1966 for Standard Brands, Inc. in Clinton, Iowa, where among other things, he was successful in keeping a plant employing 1,900 hourly workers employed while fighting the highest ever recorded flood on the upper Mississippi River. Establishing himself as a leader among his peers, Dr. Straughan eventually became Director of Engineering and Florida Operations for Zimmer Homes Corporation in Pompano Beach, Florida. He also served as Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing for Nobility Homes, Inc. in Ocala, Florida, and as Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing for Moduline International, Inc., in Lacey, Washington.
Dr. William Thomas Straughan's career included the respect of multiple organizations. A consultant since 1992, he was also appointed as a spokesperson for the Manufactured Housing Institute before the U.S. Congress. Additionally, he has conducted numerous workshops in his area of expertise and contributed articles to various professional journals.
Involved in his community, Dr. Straughan enjoyed judging the Ben Franklin High School science fair in New Orleans. He also volunteered with the Lubbock Fire Safety House and was a deacon for the First Baptist Church in Ruston.
Dr. Straughan pursued a formal education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received an undergraduate degree in 1959. Continuing his studies, he achieved a Master's Degree at the University of Texas in 1986, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering at Texas Tech University in 1990.
Dr. Straughan was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana where he married the love of his life, Rubie Ann (Barnes) Straughan on August 20, 1957. Together, they raised three children, Donna Ann Straughan, Sara Arlene Miley, and Eugene Thomas Straughan during 63 continuous years (and continuing) of marriage. They are the grandparents of Shelly Renea Guernsey, Donna Marie Garcia, Joshua Straughan, Jacob Straughan, and the great grandparents of Madison Garcia, Luke, Sam, Drew, Sara, and Sydney Guernsey.
To support his many professional endeavors, Dr. Straughan was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and he received Teacher of the Year Awards in 1995, 1998 and 2009 from the Louisiana Tech University chapter. He is also a life member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
Dr. Straughan has been an active pilot with a commercial license and ratings in single and multi-engine aircraft, airplane instruments, and gliders for 55-years. He has flown his own airplane to numerous interesting destinations in the United States, in Canada, and in the Bahamian out-islands. He was recently nominated for the Federal Aviation Administration's prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.
Dr. Straughan secured numerous grants throughout his career, including from the Urban Waste Management and Research Center in New Orleans and the Louisiana Education Quality Support Fund. In 1994, he was recognized with the T.L. James Service Award from Louisiana Tech University. A celebrated Marquis listee, Dr. Straughan has been showcased in approximately 70 editions of Who's Who, including Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who in the World and Who's Who in Science and Engineering. He has also been nominated by students and listed in the 1998 and 2005-2006 editions of Who's Who among America's Teachers published by Educational Communications, Inc.
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