Drexel University’s College of Engineering is proud to announce the 2017 Engineering Leader of the Year, C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni, founder and chairman of Pennoni Associates Inc., Consulting Engineers and long-time benefactor and advocate of Drexel University.
Mr. Pennoni earned his bachelor and master’s degrees in Engineering at Drexel, and in 1992, received an honorary degree, also from Drexel. He founded his multidisciplinary engineering firm in 1966, now proudly celebrating its 50th anniversary. Focusing on civil infrastructure systems, Pennoni Associates employs more than 1,200 professionals and support staff with 34 offices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, Delaware, Maryland, and New York.
A 2000 inductee into the National Academy of Engineering, Mr. Pennoni has been president of the American Society of Civil Engineers; director and president of the ASCE Foundation; a trustee and president of United Engineering Trustees, Inc.; president of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology; and a member of the United States Council for International Engineering Practice.
Mr. Pennoni is an independent chairman of the board of Parke Bank. He served on the boards of Lankenau Medical Center Foundation, GCA Services, Inc., the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, the University City Science Center, the America-Israel Chamber of Commerce-Central Atlantic Region, and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. He is a past chair of the PENJERDEL Council. A licensed engineer in 11 states, Mr. Pennoni has taught strength of materials and structural design at Temple University, lectured at numerous colleges and universities, and authored 44 papers (seven refereed) on the subjects of engineering, planning, ethics, accreditation and professional development. He served on the engineering advisory boards of Widener University, the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. He is governor emeritus at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Mr. Pennoni received the ASCE Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition and William H. Wisely American Civil Engineer awards, the National Society of Professional Engineers Professional Development Award, the George Washington Medal of the Engineers Club of Philadelphia, the Robert Morris Citizenship and Excellence in Education awards of the Boy Scouts of America, and the March of Dimes Service to Humanity Award. He is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and Tau Beta Pi, and received the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy.
Mr. Pennoni joined the Drexel Board of Visitors in 2016. He is Drexel President Emeritus, having twice served as Interim President, as well as Trustee Emeritus, serving from 1993 to 2006 and 2009 to 2016. He was chairman of the board of trustees from 1997 to 2003. Additionally, he served on the Drexel University College of Medicine Board of Trustees. In 2003, the Drexel Board of Trustees voted to rename the University's Honors Program “The Annette and Chuck Pennoni Honors College” in tribute to his many contributions to Drexel, and Mr. Pennoni served on the College's advisory board from 2011 to 2016. Mr. Pennoni was inducted into the Drexel 100 and is a member of the Alumni Circle of Distinction. He received the A.J. Drexel Paul Award (1996), Business Leader of the Year Award (2005) and the Golden Dragon Award (2013) from Drexel's Alumni Association. The Pennoni Honors College Program Endowed Fund and The C. R. Pennoni Endowed Scholarship Fund for Students of the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business are named in his honor. Along with Drexel Board of Trustees Chairman Richard Greenawalt, Mr. Pennoni established The Operation Graduation Endowed Scholarship Fund. He is a member of the Anthony J. Drexel Society, Drexel Legacy Society, and Founders Circle.
Mr. Pennoni is the College of Engineering’s 14th Engineering Leader of the Year. Drexel has been honoring leaders in the field of engineering with this prestigious recognition since 2003. The award is presented to an individual who demonstrates leadership in the development of technology-based solutions to societal problems, and serves as an example of outstanding achievement for current and future generations of engineers. Mr. Pennoni joins a distinguished list of individuals that includes presidents and chief executive officers of major corporations, inventors, astronauts, academics, and industry leaders.
Please contact Michelle Yurko at michelle.yurko@drexel.edu or call 215.888.6978 for more information.