Prof. Raul Lobo (left) presents the inaugural Ogunnaike Award to James Tilton.
The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering presented James Tilton the First Babatunde Ogunnaike Award for Excellence in Teaching and Service by an Adjunct or Affiliated Faculty Member at the 2025 Senior Banquet in Newark, DE.
The award recognizes exceptional contributions in teaching and service by adjunct and affiliated faculty to the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Tunde Ogunnaike was a researcher for the DuPont Company, and while at DuPont he taught courses in Process Control and Engineering Statistics. He joined the University of Delaware full-time in 2012, eventually becoming Dean of the College of Engineering from 2013 to 2018. This award was created to recognize individuals who, like Tunde, contribute enormously to the education of undergraduate and graduate students and greatly enhance the academic and research environment of the Department.
Jim Tilton has been an instructor in our undergraduate and graduate programs for nearly forty years, teaching courses in fluid mechanics and transport phenomena while being fully employed by DuPont Chemical Co. His efforts have positively impacted multitudes of students who have benefited from his expertise and enthusiasm for the subject. Students—and faculty— have also benefited from his mentoring and insights into the engineering profession and its role in the chemical industry. His unwavering support of our educational and research mission has been exemplary, and this award is a small token of gratitude and appreciation on behalf of the faculty. This senior class was ecstatic to have the award presented at their graduation banquet.
Jim’s support of the department continues as he is scheduled to teach CHEG341 Fluid Mechanics this fall.