Mechanical engineering chair honored with IEEE Distinguished Service Award

Published: Nov 25, 2024 1:55 PM

By Jeremy Henderson

Jeff Suhling, Quina Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has been awarded the William Chen Distinguished Service Award from the IEEE Electronics Packaging Society (EPS). The award annually recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the EPS through service and leadership.

It was, to say the least, well deserved.

Suhling has been a member of the EPS for more than three decades, serving in various leadership roles, including member of the board of governors, vice president of education, and vice president of finance. He has also been heavily active in organizing and presenting at EPS conferences. 

"I'm deeply honored to receive this award," Suhling said. "I've always been proud to be part of a group that does such essential work in advancing the field of electronics packaging."

Also advancing the field? Auburn Engineering.

The recent establishment of the Auburn University Electronics Packaging Research Institute (EPRI) marked a significant new emphasis on the semiconductor packaging research conducted through Auburn's Center of Advanced Vehicle and Extreme Environment Electronics, or CAVE3, which Suhling helped launch in 1999 through funding from the National Science Foundation and support from select companies focusing primarily on automotive electronics.

"Auburn has a strong tradition of excellence in this line of research, which deals with all aspects — mechanical, thermal, electrical, manufacturing — of incorporating semiconductor chips into usable products.," Suhling said. "Now with EPRI, I'm confident that Auburn will continue to play a leading role in the work of the EPS and the broader electronics packaging field."

Suhling has published more than 500 technical papers in the area of mechanical behavior of microelectronic materials. In addition to his role with EPS, he is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and a member of several other professional organizations.    

Suhling was presented with the service award at the Electronic Components and Technology Conference held in Denver in June.
Media Contact: Jeremy D Henderson, jdh0123@auburn.edu, 334-844-3591
IEEE EPS President Patrick Thompson (left) presents Jeff Suhling, mechanical engineering department chair, with the William Chen Distinguished Service Award.

IEEE EPS President Patrick Thompson (left) presents Jeff Suhling, mechanical engineering department chair, with the William Chen Distinguished Service Award.

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