Deepak Keshwani is the recipient of the A.W. Farrall Young Educator Award for "contributions to the personal and professional development and advancement of students and engineering and technology curriculum innovation."
The A.W. Farrall Young Educator Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of the agricultural engineering profession and to stimulate professional achievement. The Farrall award honors outstanding success in motivating others to apply engineering principles to agricultural engineering problems. It was established in 1972, by the family and friends of ASABE Past President and Life Fellow, A.W. Farrall. ASABE Young Engineering Achievement Awards including the Farrall award are presented to current ASABE members under age 40.
Honorees were presented with awards during the annual awards luncheon held on Wednesday, July 10 and received engraved walnut plaques to commemorate their achievements.
This full citation of Deepak's award originally appeared on the ASABE website:
Deepak Keshwani is the recipient of the 2019 A.W. Farrall Young Educator award for contributions to the personal and professional development and advancement of students and engineering and technology curriculum innovation.
Keshwani is an associate professor of biological systems engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. There, his current research is focused on integrated systems modeling related to the food-energy-water nexus with a focus on Nebraska’s agricultural systems and biofuel industries. He provides leadership to his department’s undergraduate degree program in mechanized systems management with teaching and advising responsibilities. He coordinates the Justin Smith Morrill Scholars, a campus-wide co-curricular program focused on civic engagement and he mentors the AgFutures learning community, which develops leadership, service, and civic engagement skills in first-year students.
Keshwani's devotion to the education of students has spanned his career. He has made innovative curriculum development efforts that include integrating student success and high impact retention activities into first-year courses, and creation of a cornerstone course focused on technical problem solving, professional communication, and career growth. Recognizing the strengths of a transdisciplinary approach, Keshwani developed a teaching and community engagement program that combined performing arts, agriculture, and oral history research. Keshwani is a strong teacher and mentor, focusing on the individual needs of students and works to prepare students with skills that carry them into rewarding and challenging careers.
A 14-year member of ASABE, Keshwani has served as a member and leader on numerous ASABE Education, Outreach, and Professional Development committees. He is a past chair of the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Division of the American Society of Engineering Education. He also maintains membership with the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture.
Keshwani is the author or coauthor of 50 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and other publications. His outstanding work as an educator has been recognized through awards from his university. Most recently, he received the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Omtvedt Innovation award, the University Distinguished Teaching award, and the Holling Master Teacher award, all from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.