Bill Wepfer, the Eugene C. Gwaltney Jr. Chair of the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology, was named as the recipient of the 2015 Edwin F. Church Medal for his exemplary leadership of one of the largest mechanical engineering programs in the United States, and for his efforts in advancing mechanical engineering education through visionary initiatives and substantial guidance of the accreditation process.

Established in 1972, the Edwin F. Church Medal is awarded to an individual for eminent service in increasing the value, importance and attractiveness of mechanical engineering education. Wepfer, an ASME Fellow and senior vice president of the Society's Public Affairs and Outreach Sector, will receive the award during the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Education Leadership Summit (MEED 2015), to be held March 12-14 in Newport Beach, Calif.

Wepfer, who received the ASME Dedicated Service Award in 2009, has served in various capacities during his 40 years as an ASME member, including as vice president of Education, member of the Committee on Engineering Accreditation, chair of the Atlanta Section, and associate editor of ASME's Journal of Energy Resources Technology. He is also a fellow of ASHRAE and ABET.