J. W. Woomer Award

The J. W. Woomer Award (formerly the Young Engineer Award) established in 1976, brings recognition of engineering professionalism to young people working in the coal industry. Election to this honor is by the Coal & Energy Division Officers with notification to the SME Executive Committee.

Past Award Recipients:

  • 2023 - Michael Keener
  • 2022 - Thomas C. Rauch
  • 2021 - Matthew R. Gray
  • 2020 - Brett A. Ashley
  • 2019 - Dakota D. Faulkner
  • 2018 - Aaron Noble
  • 2017 - Jacob L. Carr
  • 2016 - Nikhil Gupta
  • 2015 - Brian O'Dea
  • 2014 - Steven A. Keim
  • 2013 - Heather N. Dougherty
  • 2012 - Kramer Luxbacher
  • 2011 - Braden Lusk
  • 2020 - Brett A. Ashley
  • 2019 - Dakota D. Faulkner
  • 2018 - Aaron Noble
  • 2017 - Jacob L. Carr
  • 2016 - Nikhil Gupta
  • 2015 - Brian O'Dea
  • 2014 - Steven A. Keim
  • 2013 - Heather N. Dougherty
  • 2012 - Kramer Luxbacher
  • 2011 - Braden Lusk
  • 2010 - Ryan Murray
  • 2009 - Jacob Hatch
  • 2008 - Murali M. Gadde
  • 2007 - Timothy W. Beck
  • 2006 - Jaisen N. Kohmuench
  • 2005 - Ian R. Harris
  • 2004 - Robert J. Farmer
  • 2003 - Susan B. Robertson
  • 2002 - Steven M. Nye
  • 2001 - John D. Byars
  • 2000 - Not Presented
  • 1999 - Cary P. Harwood, Jr.
  • 1998 - Mark D. Beerkircher
  • 1997 - Brian K. Schimmoller
  • 1996 - Christopher C. Woomer
  • 1995 - John L. Weiss
  • 1994 - Michael D. Brown
  • 1993 - R. J. Matetic
  • 1992 - Bart J. Hyita
  • 1991 - Barbara J. Arnold
  • 1990 - John G. Groppo, Jr.
  • 1989 - Steven C. Malyuk
  • 1988 - Thomas A. Mekelburg
  • 1987 - Mark C. Abernathy
  • 1986 - H. Erik Sherer
  • 1985 - Bruce P. DeMarcus
  • 1984 - James W. Parkinson
  • 1983 - John R. Ackerman
  • 1982 - Robert W. Cope
  • 1981 - William D. Hake
  • 1980 - Not Presented
  • 1979 - Philip L. Longenecker
  • 1978 - Thomas J. Sawarynski
  • 1977 - James W. Francis
  • 1976 - Michael P. Miano

For more information, please contact SME at awards@smenet.org.