An ISU engineering professor received a prestigious national award from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Max Porter, professor of civil and construction engineering, accepted the award at a gala in Houston, Texas in October.

Porter, who earned his undergraduate degree in civil engineering and a master’s and doctorate in structural engineering from Iowa State, was one of just 13 Honorary Membership award winners at the banquet.

“No more than one award per 7,500 members may be given at any time,” said Deborah Augustus, senior manager of honors and awards for the society. “There have been less than 500 honorary members named since it first began.”

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers Web site, the society will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year and represents more than 123,000 members nationwide.

“Honorary membership is an award for a lifetime of excellence in engineering,” Augustus said. “Our awards publication states that membership goes to a person who has attained acknowledged eminence in some branch of engineering, including education and construction.”

“Acknowledged eminence” is demonstrated to the awards committee during the application process, she said.

At least 50 members from across the United States must agree the nominee is worthy of the award before the committee will even consider the candidate, Augustus said.

“Just being considered for the award is an honor,” she said. “The high demands of the application process assures us that only candidates of the highest quality be considered.”

Ensuring quality is a primary aspect of Porter’s profession. As president of the Structural Engineering Institute, a subdivision of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Porter was involved in a team of engineers that studied the collapse of the World Trade Center in hopes of improving future building design.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with some pretty influential committees,” Porter said. “Thankfully, a lot of it has improved industry standards and increased safety.”

In addition to holding an office in numerous engineering societies, Porter also has taught at Iowa State for more than 35 years, during which time he guided 61 students through their master’s program and six students through a doctoral program.

“Educating young engineers is key not only to the continued improvement of the profession, but also to the improvement of society,” Porter said.

Porter is a young engineer in comparison to other recipients of the Honorary Membership recognition, he said.

“Usually, recipients are nearing the end of their careers and their lives,” Porter said. “I hope that doesn’t mean I should be worried.”