Oregon Tech Awards Geothermal Expert Dr. John Lund with Inaugural Ambassador Award

By: Ashley Van Essen, Public Relations Representative
ashley.vanessen@oit.edu

Oct. 30, 18, Klamath Falls, OR. — Oregon Institute of Technology, “Oregon Tech,” began a new tradition as it awarded the first-ever Oregon Tech Ambassador Award to former faculty member, John Lund, Ph.D. Dr. Lund was not only applauded for the length of his tenure, but for his continued engagement and ambassadorship, even after retirement from Oregon Tech. In recognition of his continued dedication and perennial ambassadorship for the university, the award was presented to Dr. Lund at an annual length of service event held by the university Oct. 18.

An internationally renowned pioneer and world expert in the field of geothermal energy, Dr. Lund has been engaged in service to the Oregon Tech community for over 50 years. He has lectured and provided training in 46 countries around the world and has written extensively on the subject with many prestigious honors and awards in the field. He began his career at Oregon Tech in 1967 as an associate professor in Civil Engineering and continued as a professor in the department through 1999, while also serving as department chair, division chair, associate dean and dean. He is one of the original founders of the Geo-Heat Center at Oregon Tech and served as director from 1997 until 2010. Dr. Lund is both an emeritus faculty member and an emeritus administrator at Oregon Tech, a significant accomplishment matched by few.

Oregon Tech President, Dr. Nagi Naganathan presented the award to Dr. Lund at the event. “I have called upon John several times during the last year to join us in presenting our geothermal expertise to important visitors to our campus, including Congressman Walden and others,” said President Naganathan. “John has always been very kind to participate and contribute as a great ambassador for Oregon Tech. It is a privilege, an honor, and certainly a true joy for me to recognize Dr. Lund with the inaugural Oregon Tech Ambassador award.”

Dr. Lund shared his passion for his work: “I came to OIT (then OTI) in 1967 as I wanted to teach at an institution that had a practical orientation to teaching and research,” he said. “I intended to stay only a short time, but I was so impressed with the students and faculty that I stayed 50 years and have enjoyed every minute of it. I also liked the opportunity to teach a variety of subjects that even included PE classes in cross-country skiing and hiking, as well as doing research that was practical, such as building test roads with cinders and pumice. Later, I was involved with geothermal energy testing downhole heat exchangers and founding the Geo-Heat Center. It has been a great and rewarding experience, and I still enjoy visiting campus on a weekly basis to give an occasional guest lecture and talk to faculty and students.”

Dr. Lund received a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado, a Master of Engineering in Transportation Engineering from the University of California- Berkley, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado. He is a registered professional engineer in Oregon, California and Colorado. His areas of interest include research, design and field work related to the direct uses and small-scale power generation from geothermal energy and geothermal heat pumps. In the field of civil engineering his interest lies in teaching, design and field work related to transportation and geothermal engineering.