Awards

The Charles Harold Bechert Award

The Charles Harold Bechert Award was first established in 1981 for presentation to a member of the water resources community who has contributed significantly to water resources activities in Indiana.

Charles Harold Bechert has been recognized as a major pioneer in Indiana’s water resources management programs. Following graduation with honors from Purdue University in 1929, Mr. Bechert became Indiana’s first sanitary engineer in the Department of Conservation. During his 36 year career with the Department, Mr. Bechert serves as Assistant Chief of the Division of Water, Department of Natural Resources, and served in that capacity until 1970. During his distinguished career, Mr. Bechert was an officer and a member of various water related organizations. Mr. Bechert served as President of both the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Indiana Division of the American Water Works Association. Mr. Bechert was also a member in several other organizations, including the Indiana Society of Professional Engineers, Scientech Club, Indiana Academy of Sciences, and the honorary fraternity of Chi Epsilon. Mr. Bechert’s professional abilities were recognized in 1963 by Governor Matthew Welch when appointed Sagamore of the Wabash, in 1955 when presented the George Fuller Award by the American Water Works Association, and by listing in “Who’s Who in the Midwest (1967-68)”.

Nominations for the Charles Harold Bechert Award may be made by contacting the IWRA President.

Past recipients of the Charles Harold Bechert Award:

Outstanding Achievement Award

The IWRA recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in the Academic, Private and Public sectors with regard to:

  1. Promoting research and technical, social, economic, and legislative advances in all aspects of water resources;
  2. Collecting and disseminating water resource information through publications, symposia and other media;
  3. Relating the needs of management, educational, and governmental institutions for specialized serves and guidance to qualified professionals; and
  4. Initiating and maintaining lines of communication in the water resources community.

Nominations for Outstanding Achievement Awards may be made by contacting the IWRA President.

Past recipients of the award:

 Academic SectorPrivate SectorPublic Sector
2023Rod Williams, Purdue UniversityIndra Frank, Hoosier Environmental CouncilDave Knipe, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
2022Dr. Linda Prokopy and Laura Esman; Indiana Water Resources Research CenterMaggie Sullivan; Lake Monroe Watershed CoordinatorOdetta Cadwell; Indiana Section-American Water Works Association
2019—Justin Schneider, Indiana Farm BureauHamilton County Tourism, Inc. & City of Indianapolis
2018Dr. Venkatesh MerwadeDr. David A. HillmanIndiana Finance Authority
2017Bob BarrMike Starkey and Jack MaloneyShannon Zezula
2016Karissa Bash, Kenyari Keith, Allyse Turner, Paige WilliamsTodd FeenstraJim Sullivan
2015Manchester University Environmental Studies ProgramACRES Land TrustJane E. Hardisty
2014Jane FrankenbergerSara PeelWilliam Guertal
2013Sara PryorJack WittmanSally Letsinger
2012Alan JohnsonRobert “Bugs” ArmstrongJohnson Co. WHP/LPT
2011Ron TurcoJill Hoffmann, Lyn Crighton, and IUPUI CEESIDNR, Div. of Water
2010William JonesThe Nature ConservancyRodney Renkenberger
2009Lenore TedescoSiavash BeikDavid Knipe

Members Emeriti

The IWRA recognizes members who have made contributions to the organization for a long time by awarding status of Member Emeritus.  Registrations fees for all future IWRA meetings are waived for members emeriti.

Members emeriti and year of designation:

  • Judith Beaty, 2008
  • Bob “Bugs”Armstrong, 2007
  • Noel Krothe, 2007
  • Charles Weir, 2007
  • Mark Reshkin, 2004
  • John Simpson, 2001
  • James Barnett, 2001
  • Jacques Delleur, 2001
  • John Bell, 1995
  • James Gammon, 1995
  • Richard Powell, 1995
  • William Steen, 1994

The Wilber-Zogorski Leadership Award

The Indiana Water Resources Association has established a Leadership Award to acknowledge the significant contributions to the organization made by its Presidents. The Leadership Award was named in honor of William G. Wilber and John S. Zogorski, the founding members of IWRA. A list of past and current presidents of the IWRA can be found here .

The Outstanding Student Presentation Award

The IWRA also encourages students to present the results of their research or work in the area of water resources. Awards for Outstanding Student Presentations are given at many symposia. In addition to a cash award, all costs of attending the symposium are covered.

Past Outstanding Student Presentations award winners include:

  • Yu Peng; Indiana University Indianapolis, 2024 (Graduate Student Poster Presentation)
  • Maddie Milharcic, Purdue University, 2024 (Undergraduate Student Poster Presentation)
  • Dongseok Yang; Purdue University, 2023 (Oral Presentation)
  • Karthik B. Shivaram; Purdue University, 2023 (Poster Presentation)
  • Sanoar Rahman; Purdue University, 2022 (Oral Presentation)
  • Grace Carter, Ball State University, 2022 (Poster Presentation)
  • Whitney Conard, University of Notre Dame, 2019
  • Caleb Artz, Ball State University, 2018 (Oral Presentation)
  • Zhe (Jason) Sun, Purdue University, 2018 (Poster Presentation)
  • Adam Alford, Purdue University, 2017
  • Colton Yoder, Purdue University, 2013
  • Sarah Rutkowski, Purdue University, 2011
  • Alyson Faulkenburg, Purdue University, 2000
  • Lesley Oliver, Purdue University, 1996
  • Kenneth Luther, Indiana University, 1996
  • Vic Kelson, Indiana University, 1994
  • Gail Harkey, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, 1992
  • Paula Hunt, Purdue University, 1988
  • Stephen Kraemer, Indiana University, 1988
  • Frederick Otto II, University of Notre Dame, 1984

Since 2000, all students making presentations have had their travel expenses paid.

The Outstanding State Section Award

The American Water Resources Association (AWRA) presents the Outstanding State Section Award  each year to recognize the State Section that has provided outstanding service in the furtherance of the AWRA’s objectives:   

  • The advancement of water resources research, planning, development, management and education.
  • The establishment of a common meeting ground for physical, biological, and social scientists, engineers, and other persons concerned with water resources.
  • The collection, organization, and dissemination of ideas and information in the field of water resources science and technology

The award will be presented at the AWRA Annual Water Resources Conference. It is based upon the following criteria:

  • The contribution of the Section to an understanding of the state’s water resources issues through regularly scheduled meetings with significant participation by the membership and other resources professionals, and through publication or other related activities.
  • The size of the Section’s membership, the increase in membership, and the number of national members in the section.
  • Other meritorious activities, such as presentation of awards to outstanding individuals for contributions concerned with water resources, provision of scholarships for students, especially those active in AWRA Student Chapters.
  • The impact of the section on the examination of state water resources issues through cooperation with other organizations in water resources.

The Indiana Water Resources Association has received this award twice, in 2007 and 2010.