Dr. Steve Burian was presented with the George K. Wadlin Distinguished Service Award, conferred by the Civil Engineering Division of the American Society for Engineering Education, at the 2026 ASEE Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. The recognition honors sustained service to the Civil Engineering Division of ASEE and notable contributions to civil engineering education.
Burian has remained an active member of ASEE for 20 years, attending 17 conferences and presenting 15 papers, one of which was awarded the Civil Engineering Division’s Best Paper Award. He served eight years within the ASEE Civil Engineering Division leadership, progressing through all positions.
“This award recognizes an incredibly impactful, fun and memorable part of my professional career serving the civil engineering education profession,” said Burian.
Burian, a professor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, is a nationally recognized leader in hydrology, serving as the director of science at the Alabama Water Institute and executive director of the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology. With over 140 peer-reviewed papers, his research focuses on building sustainable water infrastructure systems and improving national forecasting capabilities for water-related hazards.
Under Burian’s leadership, the University received a $360 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 2022, the largest external award in UA’s history. The contribution allowed for the establishment of CIROH, reinforcing the University’s standing as a leader in water research and education.
Outside of his research, Burian is a dedicated mentor in the field of engineering. He has served as a mentor for the American Society of Civil Engineers ExCEEd Teaching Workshop and led training programs at the University of Utah Wasatch Experience Sustainability Teaching Workshop and the National Faculty Development Program for the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. Burian has been honored with several awards for his contributions, including the 2021 ASCE Utah Section Engineering Educator of the Year, the 2020 Excellence in Global Engagement Award from the University of Utah and the 2019 Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) presented by the President of Pakistan.
“The most rewarding part of my work has been working with colleagues to advance the field of civil engineering education and seeing early career faculty develop into productive and impactful professionals,” said Burian.