Roger W. Brockett honored with McDonald Mentoring Award

Roger W. Brockett, An Wang Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), has received the Capers and Marion McDonald Award for Excellence in Mentoring and Advising.

Brockett, a pioneer in control systems theory, founder of the Harvard Robotics Laboratory, and a 42-year member of the Harvard faculty, accepted the award from Dean Cherry A. Murray at an All Hands Meeting today.

“Roger Brockett has clearly earned the admiration of his current and former students, who describe him as ‘a big ideas man,’ ‘a role model,’ ‘instrumental,’ and ‘inspiring,’” Murray said. “He continues to play an important role in their professional development, in some cases decades after they have earned their degrees.”

Established at SEAS in 2008 by Capers W. McDonald and Marion K. McDonald, the McDonald Mentoring Award recognizes leaders in engineering and applied sciences “who, as exemplary mentors and advisors, have significantly and consistently supported the personal and professional development of others.”