ASABE Announces Winner of Hancor Soil and Engineering Award

Robert O. Evans, Jr., P.E., professor and chair of the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at North Carolina State University, has been named the recipient of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) 2009 Hancor Soil and Water Engineering Award. Sponsored by Hancor, the ASABE award recognizes Evans’ contributions to soil and water engineering through teaching, research and his outreach programs.

During the past 25 years, Evans’ water quality research has resulted in the implementation of controlled drainage systems across eastern North Carolina. His drainage control methods have increased farm income and reduced unwanted agricultural nitrogen in streams and sensitive surface waters, according to ASABE. The results of his work have been incorporated in design and management standards for numerous North Carolina and National Resource Conservation Service best management practices. Evans is also an expert in the use of DRAINMOD, a simulation model used to evaluate the hydrology of high water table soils and the in situ measurement of soil and site hydraulic properties.

“Hancor has always been very proud of our involvement with the ASABE and of our sponsorship of this award,” said Tori Durliat, Hancor director of marketing. “Professor Evans is an internationally recognized leader in water management, wetland restoration and water quality. His extensive research has made a positive impact in the areas of design and evaluation of drainage practices, hydrologic evaluation and restoration of wetlands, design and management of riparian and construction of wetlands, and storm water analysis.”

The Hancor Soil and Water Engineering Award recognizes noteworthy contributions to the advancement of soil and water engineering in teaching, research, planning, design construction, management or materials development.

Evans is a 35-year member of ASABE and elected a Fellow of the Society in 2005. Hancor, a supplier of storm water management systems, has sponsored the ASABE award since 1966.

Source: ASABE