Edward H. Kalajian Professorship
Purpose
Create a Professorship in the College of Engineering. (GF000187)Description
This Professorship is for the College of Engineering and shall be awarded to one worthy recipient for a five-year term. Funds from this endowment exist in perpetuity and are managed and invested in accordance with the University's general policy and procedures governing endowed funds. Endowed faculty professorships are crucial for recruiting and retaining the highest-quality faculty. The greatest institutions have the best minds, the most creative researchers, and the most engaged teachers. Ultimately, this attracts the best students.
History
“Welcome to Florida Tech. How can I help you to become the best engineer that you can be?”
This is the introduction Dr. Edward H. Kalajian’s delivered to incoming students. Dr. Kalajian taught every civil engineering student in Florida Tech’s history until his retirement. Take a moment to reflect on that declaration – the tens of thousands of alumni who are changing the world today.
Gifts from Dr. Kalajian's family, friends, and former students led a campaign to establish the Edward H. Kalajian Endowed Professorship to honor his 46 years of service.
"Being a part of FIT history in perpetuity is both humbling and inspiring. I am honored to continue to encourage and challenge the next generation of scholars," shared Dr. Kalajian.
In 1971, he joined Florida Tech to launch the ocean engineering program. Shortly afterward in 1974, he created the civil engineering department. His efforts were instrumental in the accreditation from ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). This highly respected accreditation accelerated Florida Tech’s recognition as a great university.
He is a true visionary. He understands the importance of student involvement outside the classroom. The ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) student chapter, National Concrete Canoe competitions, and National Student Steel Bridge competitions are thanks to him. He also founded the Civil Engineering Honor Society Chi Epsilon chapter.
Edward Kalaijan, Professor and Associate Dean at Florida Tech, obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1962 and the University of Massachusetts in 1969. In 1971, he obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts.
Dr. Kalaijan started his professional career working as a Civil Engineer at the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. In 1971, he was Assistant Professor at Florida Tech and, in 1975, became Associate Professor in the Civil Engineering Department. In 1978 and 1979, he worked as Civil Engineer for the U.S. Army and as Ocean Engineer for the Harbor Branch Foundation, respectively. In 1979, Dr. Kalaijan came back to Florida Tech and worked as Associate Professor and Department Head of the Civil Engineering Department to later become the Director of the Division of Engineering Sciences (Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, and Aerospace Engineering). Since 1999, Dr. Kalaijan has been a Professor of Civil Engineering and Associate Dean of the College of Engineering.
Dr. Kalaijan’s honors and awards include the Walter M. Nunn Jr. Award for Teaching Excellence from the College of Engineering; the Civil Engineering Advisory Council Outstanding Service Award; Engineer of the Year, ASCE, Cape Canaveral Branch; ASCE University of Houston Student Chapter Outstanding Professor; Letter of Recommendation for Kittinger Award for Teaching, and U.S. Navy Southeast Asia Civil Service Award.
Dr. Kalaijan is a registered Professional Engineer in Florida with expertise in soil mechanics, foundation design, concrete materials, waterfront construction, and waste stabilization. He is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society for Engineering Education, Chi Epsilon, and Tau Beta Pi, and also, he is a member of the advisory board of The Hinckly Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management.
Past Recipients
2019-2023: Dr. Paul Cosentino
