Purdue ECE Prof. Michael D. Zoltowski earns prestigious IEEE Life Fellow distinction
Purdue ECE Prof. Michael D. Zoltowski earns prestigious IEEE Life Fellow distinction
Michael D. Zoltowski, the Thomas J. and Wendy Engibous Professor in Purdue University’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been elevated to IEEE Life Fellow, one of the most prestigious honors bestowed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
IEEE Life Fellow status is reserved for individuals who have made significant and enduring impacts on technology and the advancement of the engineering profession. This distinction recognizes Zoltowski’s sustained and lasting contributions to the field of electrical and computer engineering, as well as his exemplary service to the IEEE community.
In a letter announcing the honor, IEEE President and CEO Mary Ellen Randall commended Zoltowski for his “leadership, volunteerism, and dedication to advancing technology for humanity,” noting that Life Fellows are among the most active and influential members of the organization, often serving as mentors, editors, reviewers, and leaders in professional and educational activities.
Zoltowski joined Purdue’s faculty in 1986 and has built an accomplished career in statistical and array signal processing, wireless communications, and sensor networks. Over his tenure, he has received numerous teaching and research honors, including Purdue’s Ruth and Joel Spira Outstanding Teacher Award, the Wilfred Hesselberth Award for Teaching Excellence, and the Dean Potter Faculty Excellence Award for Undergraduate Teaching from the College of Engineering. He was named a Purdue University Faculty Scholar in 2001 and was appointed the Thomas J. and Wendy Engibous Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2008.
His professional accolades include the IEEE Signal Processing Society’s Technical Achievement Award, multiple IEEE Best Paper Awards, and recognition as a Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE Signal Processing Society. He is also a Distinguished Alumnus of Drexel University, where he earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees before completing his Ph.D. in Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.
Through his research, mentorship, and service, Zoltowski has made a lasting impact on both Purdue University and the broader engineering community, a legacy now recognized through his elevation to IEEE Life Fellow.