The Penn State Fox Graduate School Alumni Society has announced that David Mazyck is this year's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Credit: Penn State Engineering.
Mazyck honored with 2026 Fox Graduate School Alumni Society Lifetime Achievement Award
Apr 15, 2026
Editor’s note: A version of this article was originally published on Penn State News.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Fox Graduate School Alumni Society has announced the recipients of its 2026 alumni awards, recognizing three graduates whose achievements exemplify the values of leadership, service and professional excellence. This year’s honorees include David W. Mazyck, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award; Ashley Kuzmik, recipient of the Early Career Award; and Maya E. Nehme, recipient of the Outstanding Service Award. The awards were presented during the annual Fox Graduate School Alumni Society Awards Ceremony held on Saturday, March 28, in the Nittany Lion Inn.
Lifetime Achievement Award: David W. Mazyck
David W. Mazyck, who earned a master’s degree in 1996 and doctorate in 2000, both in environmental engineering, is being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his distinguished career as an engineer, educator, entrepreneur and institutional leader. A three-time Penn State alumnus, he has made significant contributions across academia, industry and national research initiatives.
Mazyck currently serves as the inaugural president of a new STEM university sponsored by the Walton Family, where he is shaping innovative, workforce-aligned engineering education. He spent more than two decades at the University of Florida, rising to full professor and leading online and industry-focused engineering programs that became national models. In 2022, he returned to Penn State to lead the School of Engineering Design and Innovation, expanding experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. His research on engineered sorbents for air and water purification has produced numerous publications, patents and startup companies. Known for his commitment to mentorship and inclusive excellence, Mazyck has positively influenced students, colleagues and institutions throughout his career.
More information on the other recipients can be found here.
For more information about the Fox Graduate School Alumni Society awards, visit the Fox Graduate School website.
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