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The William H. Webb Medal

THE WILLIAM H. WEBB MEDAL

Outstanding Contributions to Education in Naval Architecture, Marine or Ocean Engineering
 

Lothar Birk       

 

 Lothar Birk  |  University of New Orleans

 

 

 

 

Dr. Lothar Birk graduated from Technische Universität Berlin as Diplom-Ingenieur in 1990 and stayed on as research engineer and lecturer. He worked on research projects funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, the European Union, and various industry partners.

In 1999 he won the Georg Weinblum Award for his dissertation on hydrodynamic shape optimization of offshore structures.

A faculty exchange program allowed him to teach and work at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor for the academic year 2002 to 2003. He left TU Berlin in 2004 and joined the faculty of the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of New Orleans.

After the devastating flooding of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he worked with Dr. W.S. Vorus and the School's staff to rebuild the program and its infrastructure.

Teaching and enhancing the Towing and Wave Tank and the Ship Design Laboratory are his passion.

From 2010 to 2021 Dr. Birk served as the chair of the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at UNO. Dr. Birk continues to teach classes on ship and offshore hydrodynamics, computer aided design and optimization.

 

  • About The William H. Webb Medal
  • Webb Medalists

About The William H. Webb Medal

The William H. Webb Medal is for "Outstanding Contributions to Education in Naval Architecture, Marine or Ocean Engineering".

It was established in 1987 in honor of William H. Webb. 

Born into a shipbuilding family, William H. Webb was a highly successful shipbuilder, shipowner and educator whose contributions to the marine profession and commitment to the education of naval architects, marine engineers, and shipbuilders took shape in “Webb’s Academy and Home for Shipbuilders”, now known as Webb Institute. 

The award title is "The William H. Webb Medal”. The medal will be made of gold-plated bronze, approximately 2 1/2 inches (6.25 cm) in diameter, the obverse side showing a profile of William H. Webb and the reverse side carrying an inscription of the award. Eligibility for the medal need not be limited to membership in SNAME. The proposal for award may be made by a member of SNAME in good standing.

The selection of the nominee for the medal shall be made by the Awards Committee of SNAME. The nomination by the Committee and final award by the Council will require a two-thirds vote of the Committee. Notification of the award will be made prior to the SNAME Maritime Convention (formerly the Annual Meeting) and the medal will be presented with suitable ceremonies at the SNAME Maritime Convention or at such time as the President of SNAME may arrange. The medal may be awarded biennially in odd years.

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