UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Karen Thole, distinguished professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State, received an award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and was appointed to serve on the Department of Air Force Scientific Advisory Board for her expertise.
Thole is the first woman to receive the ASME R. Tom Sawyer Award. Established in 1972, the award is presented to an individual who has made important contributions to advancing the purposes of the gas turbine industry and the International Gas Turbine Institute of ASME, according to the association’s website.
She was selected “for expertise and sustained research, education, service and leadership in the advancement of gas turbine technologies leading to improved aerodynamics and thermal efficiency,” wrote ASME Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Costabile in the award letter.
“I am humbled to receive this award, which would not have occurred without my students, my collaborators and my research sponsors,” Thole said. “My career has been filled with challenging problems to work on with talented people. The support of my colleagues through the International Gas Turbine Institute have been and continue to be very rewarding.”
Formal presentation of the award will take place at the ASME Turbo Expo Turbomachinery Technical Conference & Exposition on Jun. 26 in Boston.
Additionally, Thole has been appointed to the Department of Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (DAF SAB). The board, created in 1944, comprises some of the nation’s top civilian experts in science, technology, engineering and technical program leadership who provide independent advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Secretary of Defense on scientific and technical matters relating to the Air Force mission, according the DAF SAB website.
“This is a very prestigious honor for Dr. Thole and Penn State,” said Mary Frecker, professor of mechanical engineering and of biomedical engineering, head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Reiss Chair of Engineering. “The appointment is a wonderful recognition of her tremendous research accomplishments. The board will benefit greatly by her expertise.”
For her first assignment, Thole will serve as the vice chair of the Advanced Air Mobility Study Committee.
“It is a privilege to serve our nation through this role,” she said. “I am grateful for my membership approval by the Secretary of the Air Force and am looking forward to making a difference.”