Pasadena Resident Receives Cal State LA’s Outstanding Professor Award

Cal State LA recognized Pasadena resident Mark Tufenkjian and five other faculty members for excellence in the classroom and service to the community during the 2016 University Convocation at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex.

Tufenkjian, a professor of civil engineering in the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology at Cal State LA, was one of four Outstanding Professors honored for excellence in teaching and significant achievement in scholarly inquiry or creativity, as well as professional activities and community service, during the festive ceremony on August 18.

Tufenkjian has more than 25 years of experience in geotechnical engineering and is often called upon to provide his expertise to state and federal agencies. He received his Ph.D. in civil engineering from UCLA.

Since joining the Cal State LA faculty, Tufenkjian has maintained a high level of teaching and research excellence through his curricular development in the field of geotechnical engineering, as well as through his student involvement in research and mentoring with his federal research grants. He has garnered more than $3 million in grant funding from the Office of Naval Research, Department of Defense and the Federal Highway Administration.

He has authored or co-authored 30 publications related to seafloor engineering, earth retaining structures, non-destructive and laboratory test methods, and engineering education. At the University, he has served as the college’s representative to the Academic Senate and on the Educational Policy Committee. He is currently chair of Department of Civil Engineering.

Tufenkjian volunteers as a STEM teacher at the city’s public schools, and he is as an assistant scout master for Boy Scout Troop 4 in the city. He is also a 17-year volunteer member of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association.

Cal State LA also presented a President’s Distinguished Professor Award and Outstanding Lecturer Award during the University Convocation. The distinguished award goes to a previous outstanding professor recipient and recognizes the faculty member’s superlative teaching and exceptional commitment to students, as well as professional accomplishments and services.