Robbins to Receive Medal of Distinction
HOUGHTON, MI--Seattle area
businessman Richard Robbins will receive the Melvin Calvin Medal of Distinction
during commencement ceremonies at Michigan Technological University May
12.
The award, named to honor the
late Nobel Prize Winner, Dr. Melvin Calvin, who graduated from Michigan
Tech in 1931, is presented to persons associated with MTU who have achieved
a notable reputation in their field. It is the highest award given by
Michigan Tech. Robbins will be only the third person to receive the Medal
since it was established 16 years ago. The inaugural award went to Dr.
Calvin.
Robbins graduated from Michigan
Tech in 1956 with a degree in mechanical engineering and has since become
an international leader in tunneling machine technology. Under his leadership
from 1958 to 1993, his company, The Robbins Company, set records in tunnel
boring technology, from mining applications to the boring of three huge
tunnels under the English Channel. When he sold the company in 1993 to
Swedish manufacturer Atlas Copco, Robbins continued as vice chairman for
five years. In 1998, he established The Robbins Group, which handles research
and product development for The Robbins Company.
He is a member of the National
Academy of Engineering, has received the Daniel C. Jackling Award from
the Society of Mining Engineers, and has served in leadership positions
in numerous professional associations. He is a member of Michigan Tech's
Academy of Distinguished Mechanical Engineers, an honorary member of MTU's
Academy of Distinguished Mining Engineers and has received the University's
Board of Control Silver Medal, Distinguished Alumnus Award, and an honorary
Doctorate of Engineering.
Robbins has been granted 11
U.S. and 56 foreign patents and has authored 76 professional papers. He
and his wife, Bonnie, are members of the University's Hubbell Society,
Second Century Society, and Presidents Society and have been dedicated
and involved advocates of providing quality educational opportunities
for Michigan Tech students. They have contributed more than $5 million
to various University projects. Mr. Robbins has served on the Michigan
Tech Fund Board of Trustees and currently is national chairman of MTU's
Leaders for Innovation capital campaign, which has a goal of raising $140
million for the University by 2003.
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