By Rachel Atkinson
Larry L. Howell, a professor of mechanical engineering, was named Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Howell said the ASME is the main professional organization for mechanical engineers, and he feels honored to be named Fellow.
'It was really cool because it is something that usually happens late in your career,' Howell said. 'It is a recognition for what you have done and something I had hoped would happen at some time in my career. But, it has actually happened a few decades sooner than I would have expected.'
A document prepared by the ASME admissions committee stated, 'The fellow grade is the highest elected grade of membership within the ASME, the attainment of which recognizes exceptional engineering achievements and contributions to the engineering profession.'
Vijay Kumar, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, nominated Howell for his research in the area of compliant mechanisms, including microelectromechanical systems. ASME nomination standards require those nominated for their accomplishments in research to have published their noteworthy inventions, discoveries and advancements.
The nomination form stated Howell has published 'over a hundred technical publications, including a book, journal papers, conference papers, and magazine articles, and has fifteen patents issued or pending.'
The form stated his book titled 'Compliant Mechanisms,' was published in 2001 and is used as a textbook in universities and research labs across the country.
'I helped pioneer an area called compliant mechanisms,' Howell said. 'The book that I published is really the first book written about it.'
Howell said aside from his professional career, his family and beliefs are important priorities.
'I have a wife and four kids, and that is a very important part of my life,' Howell said. 'I am also the bishop of the BYU 16th Ward. It''s nice to see that the Lord has blessed me professionally, and at the same time, I have still be able to do what I have needed to do as a father and in serving in the church.'
Howell received his B.S. from BYU and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Purdue University. Before he began teaching at BYU in 1994 he was a visiting professor at Purdue University, a structural design engineer on the YF-22 and an engineering analyst with Engineering Methods, Inc.
Some of Howell''s awards include the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the BYU technology Transfer Award, the Black & Decker Best Paper Award, the Mechanical Dynamics Inc. Software Award and the BYU Young Scholar Award.