Kristi Kiick and Levi Thompson were recognized for their years of service and leadership during the Spring 2024 Board of Trustees meeting
Retired professor Kristi Kiick and former dean Levi Thompson of the College of Engineering were awarded the University of Delaware’s Medal of Distinction, one of the university’s highest honors, during the Spring 2024 semiannual Board of Trustees meeting.
Presented by the Board of Trustees, the Medal of Distinction honors individuals who have made humanitarian, cultural, intellectual or scientific contributions to society; have achieved noteworthy success in their professions; or have given significant service to the University, the state and the region.
Kristi Kiick
Kiick, the Blue and Gold Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering who retired earlier this year, was awarded the Medal of Distinction in recognition of her service and leadership.
Kiick earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry from UD before completing a master’s degree in chemistry at the University of Georgia, followed by a Ph.D. in polymer science and engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
She joined UD as an assistant professor in 2001, was promoted to associate professor in 2007 and to full professor in 2011. During her 23-year career at UD, she also served as the Deputy Dean of the College of Engineering from 2011 until 2019 and most recently was the Chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
“Kristi has been an important leader in materials science and engineering from nearly the beginning of the department, and has really expanded the directions we’ve gone as a department and the impact we’ve had, so this medal is a fantastic recognition of her leadership,” said Joshua Zide, Professor and Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. “On a personal level, Kristi was also an important mentor to me—and many other faculty members in the department—when I was just starting out.”
“Kristi took on the leadership of biomedical engineering during a critical time: We had experienced explosive growth during our first ten years as a department, but our success was threatened by the disruption of COVID,” added Ryan Zurakowski, interim chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. “Kristi’s leadership allowed us to solidify our foundation and prepare us to continue growing the impact of our research and teaching. She is truly deserving of this award for all her contributions as a leader at UD.”
As an internationally renowned expert in designing and synthesizing biologically inspired materials for drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue repair applications, Kiick has authored nearly 175 articles, book chapters, and patents. She is a Fellow of the American Chemical Society, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, and the National Academy of Inventors.
“Kristi’s work leads the field,” said professor April Kloxin who holds joint appointments in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. “She designs biomolecules from the bottom up inspired by natural systems and going beyond them to impart unique material properties. Her innovative work spans from the fundamentals of proteins and thermodynamics to applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering for improving human health. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with her and continue to learn from her on multiple levels as we co-advise students and collaborate for achieving research goals.”
“I had the opportunity to get to know [Kristi] while serving on the College of Engineering Advisory Council,” said Board of Trustees chair Terri Kelly during the spring meeting while formally recognizing Kiick alongside President Dennis Assanis and trustee John Cochran. “Your enthusiasm and love for UD is evident in all you do, and we are grateful for your service.”
Levi Thompson
Thompson, the Elizabeth Inez Kelley Professor of Chemical Engineering who served as Dean of the College of Engineering from 2018 until 2024, was also awarded the Medal of Distinction in recognition of his service and leadership during the spring board of trustees meeting.
Thompson earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering here at UD, then studied at the University of Michigan where he earned his master’s in chemical engineering and nuclear engineering and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering.
While a faculty member at Michigan, Thompson was the Richard Balzhiser Professor of Chemical Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He also served as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, was the Director of the Hydrogen Energy Technology Laboratory, and the Director of the Michigan-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation.
With a research program focused on nanostructured materials for catalysis and energy storage applications, Thompson has co-authored more than 150 publications and is a co-inventor on more than 10 patents. He is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. In addition to his research achievements, Thompson also co-founded T/J Technologies, a nanomaterial developer for alternative energy devices, and Inmatech, which creates low-cost, high-energy density supercapacitors for automotive and military applications.
UD’s College of Engineering is the academic home of more than 300 faculty and staff and 3,500 students. Some of the major achievements made during Thompson’s six-year tenure include increasing enrollment by five percent, increasing research expenditures from $72M to $126.5M, and seeing the College achieve its highest ever ranking, reaching #38 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Engineering Graduate Schools.
“I had been chair of mechanical engineering for about a year when Levi took over the reins of the college, and we instantly developed a good rapport that lasted all through my tenure as chair,” said Engineering Alumni Distinguished Professor Ajay Prasad. “While our department was blessed to have had Levi’s support on every aspect of our progress, under his watch the entire College rose to great new heights. Breaking into the top 40 in ranking this year is a true testament to his leadership.”
“Under the leadership of Levi, the College of Engineering has witnessed unprecedented growth,” added Professor and Associate Dean of Research Mark Mirotznik. “Our nearly 20-position advancement in rankings, from 55th in 2018 to 38th in 2024, along with increased undergraduate and graduate enrollment and measurable improvements in the diversity of the student body, is a direct result of his leadership. The college and university owe Levi a debt of gratitude and will greatly miss his leadership.”
“Levi has been able to make substantial contributions to the intellectual and social climate of the College of Engineering,” said David Martin, Karl W. and Renate Böer Professor of Materials Science and Engineering. “Not only have we substantially increased our research portfolio with several large center grants in energy and human health, we have established intellectual neighborhoods that transcend traditional departmental boundaries, providing opportunities to foster and strengthen collaborations. Levi’s impact will be felt for many years, and his contributions have made UD a much stronger institution of higher learning.”
Julia Hatoum
Recent engineering alumna Julia Hatoum was also recognized by Kelly during the spring meeting. Hatoum, the outgoing Student Body President, graduated in 2024 with an honors chemical engineering degree and minors in chemistry, materials science engineering and civil engineering.
Hatoum was formally recognized and thanked by the board for her role as student body president, her undergraduate career focused on service to the University, and how her “participation as a student representative at the Committee meetings of the Board of Trustees has resulted in thoughtful insights, perspectives and advocacy for the best interests of the undergraduate student body.”
Article by College of Engineering (featured on 09/27/2024)