Tau Bate Honored with 2022 Dougherty Award

_{Martin, pictured on right. Photo courtesy of University of Tennessee}

During the University of Tennessee Tickle College of Engineering spring faculty and staff awards dinner, Professor Emeritus H. Lee Martin, TN A ’78, Ph.D., P.E., was recognized by the college with the highest honor an alumnus can receive, the Nathan W. Dougherty Award.

Martin obtained his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1978 from the University of Tennessee, where he earned the Torchbearer Award for academic achievement and outstanding commitment to others. In the fall of 1976, he was initiated into the Tennessee Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta Pi. After completing a master’s from Purdue, he returned to UT to earn his doctorate. Martin’s career as an engineer allowed him to utilize his knowledge in a variety of applications. In 1986, he founded TeleRobotics (eventually becoming iPix), a company that combined image processing and robotics. After leaving iPix in 1999, he joined the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation, which gave him the opportunity to gain support for new ideas and innovations.

His work led to several patents, public offerings, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Martin’s success brought him back to the University of Tennessee as a professor in the department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. He created the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program, which taught students how to recognize and seize the chance to create their own ventures. Martin assumed an active volunteer role in Tau Beta Pi as a member of its Financial Review Committee (1998-2003) and has served as an advisor to the Tennessee Alpha Chapter at UT since 2019.

Named after Nathan W. Dougherty, NY D 1913, this award recognizes those who have “brought honor and distinction to the college through their achievements or who have made significant contributions to the engineering profession in Tennessee through their professional activities.”

Dr. Leon M. Tolbert, GA A ’89, was also recognized at this banquet, receiving a Teaching Fellow award. Read more about the UT Award recipients here.