DARYL G. BEETNER is the winner of the C. Holmes MacDonald Outstanding Teaching Award for the year 2003. Dr. Beetner received his BSEE from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1990 and MSEE from Washington University at St. Louis in 1994. Beetner was granted his D.SC. in Electrical Engineering at Washington University in 1997.
While in school Dr. Beetner served as a Research Associate at Washington University and served a year as a visiting Faculty member at Southern Illinois. Upon graduating from Washington University he joined the faculty of the University of Missouri-Rolla as Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Dr. Beetner was the first professor hired at the University of Missouri to develop a computer engineering program. He developed a new lab course complete with teaching materials that has been significantly helpful to students. The new course has been presented at conferences, distributed through web seminars and with the use of CD's, given to at least 75 other universities.
The St. Louis Section of IEEE selected Beetner as an Outstanding Faculty Member who has made considerable contributions to Engineering Education. It was noted that his teaching style is both unique and innovative.
In the professional area. Dr. Beetner has been active in the Rolla Section of IEEE where he progressed through the officer chairs serving eventually as president of the Section.
Beetner is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Missouri.
Dr. Beetner is a Co-advisor to the HKN Gamma Theta Chapter at Rolla. He works with the Chapter to sponsor projects that improve the local community. He also participates in community events that interest young people in pursuing an ECE education including High School workshops and career fairs. Beetner is involved in the Boy Scout Merit Badge program.
Dr. Beetner has sharpened his speaking skills by participating in the local Toast-masters Organization where he has become a club officer. Dr. Beetner is currently involved in significant work in the medical area performing clinical research on skin cancer and electrocardiology. He is performing research in Humanitarium Mining - developing methods to help find and remove land mines. In the research area Dr. Beetner has been involved in grants totaling $3.5 million with his personal contribution being $708 thousand. He has made 11 presentations, co-authored 5 books, 17 technical reports and 27 refereed conference proceedings and journal publications. In the words of a colleague
Dr. Beetner is a renaissance faculty member who appropriately balances excellence in teaching and advising with active research.