By Griffin Davis, ‘22 Villanova University

Villanova University’s Robert Traver, PhD, PE, D.WRE, F.EWRI, F.ASCE, the Edward A. Daylor Chair in Civil Engineering and director of the Villanova Center for Resilient Water Systems, continues to advance his already distinguished career with the 2019 Environmental &  Water Resources Institute (EWRI) Lifetime Achievement Award.

This award is presented to a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers for demonstrating a life-long level of commitment to environmental or water resources engineering through public service, research or education.

With internationally-recognized expertise in urban stormwater management and widespread engagement in related disciplines, Dr. Traver has distinguished himself as a registered professional engineer, a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE), a fellow of the EWRI, and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Water Resource Engineers, which he served as president.

Dr. Traver’s D.WRE board certification is the highest, advanced certification for professional engineers dedicated to the water resource engineering profession.

The EWRI Lifetime Achievement Award is just one among many of Dr. Traver’s academic and professional honors, which include: 

-- Villanova University’s 2016 Outstanding Faculty Research Award, which requires the recipient to have an established national and international scholarly reputation in their field; be full-time, tenured full professors; have held a tenure track faculty position at Villanova for at least 10 years; and be formally nominated by full-time Villanova faculty members.

-- The ASCE 2014 William H. Wisley American Civil Engineer Award “for his leadership of ASCE’s Task Committee on Flood Safety Policies and Practices.” Dr. Traver also edited the Committee’s report, “Flood Risk Management: Call for a National Strategy.”

-- The Outstanding Civilian Service Medal in 2007, the third highest honor the Department of the Army can award a civilian, from the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for his work on ASCE’s External Review Panel of the Corps investigation of Hurricane Katrina.

-- Serving as a committee member of the National Research Council Committee that authored “Urban Stormwater Management in the United States” (2009)

Dr. Traver remains active in the field, serving as an associate editor of the Journal of Sustainable Water in the Build Environment, which he helped to create, and leading a number of research projects.

He also recently visited China where he delivered a keynote speech at the first International Academic Conference on Sponge City Construction.

“I am honored by this recognition from my peers in the water resources professional community.   I am also grateful for the past and future support of Villanova, my faculty colleagues, and, of course, our students. Service to and care for the community are our guiding principles as we work to solve our future water challenges.”

Dr. Traver will officially receive the EWRI award during the World Environmental & Water Resources Congress 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in May 2019.

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2/4/2019