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Professor Alison Kwok named recipient of 2008 Women in Solar Energy Award
The American Solar Energy Society honored Kwok at SOLAR 2008 conference
EUGENE, Ore. -- (May 6, 2008) -- The first time professor of architecture Alison Kwok attended the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) conference, she was a graduate student from UC-Berkeley. As she presented her paper, she said, "I was so nervous, my knees were shaking. I was hoping no one would ask a question."
Fifteen years later, Kwok is back at the ASES conference, only this time she accepted the 2008 Women in Solar Energy (WISE) Award. Kwok was honored at an awards banquet on May 5 in San Diego.
The award recognizes accomplished solar technology advocates who have made a significant contribution to the field and inspired young women to pursue the sciences. Previous winners have included solar consultants, engineers and innovators.
"I'm honored and it's a surprise," said Kwok. "I was recognized because of my student involvement, advocacy and education. Over the years, I've really encouraged student participation through case study investigations and studies of passive solar design."
Kwok is also well-known for her publications. She co-authored the 10th edition of "Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings" and the recent "Green Studio Handbook" with Walter Grondzik of Ball State University, a former visiting professor at UO.
Kwok's commitment to mentoring will be on display once again at this year's ASES conference. Seventeen of her students will present case studies. She's been rehearsing with them in preparation, she said, providing tips on PowerPoint presentations and peer reviews.
Kwok will be busy at the conference with more than just accepting awards. In addition to being her students' "cheering section," she's leading a panel about how architecture education is addressing climate change and presenting two papers. The first paper is a post-occupancy evaluation of IslandWood, an outdoor learning center on Bainbridge Island, Wash. The other is a case study co-authored by Grondzik about a residential green roof in Bellevue, Wash., designed by Miller Hull.
Kwok said she doesn’t like being in the limelight. "There are other people more worthy," she said, and she’s ready to nominate one of them for the award next year.
Contact: Julie Brown, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu
Source: Karen Johnson, 346-3603, karenjj@uoregon.edu
Link: American Solar Energy Society, http://www.ases.org/
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