Civil Engineering
Horst Leipholz joined the University of Waterloo as a professor of civil engineering in 1969. He had previously served as professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Karlsruhe in Germany. Professor Leipholz is renowned as a researcher in applied mechanics. He is the author of dozens of research papers and several books in this area. His teaching ranges from the most advanced courses in his discipline, through undergraduate courses in the civil engineering programme, to courses in first-year engineering. As a teacher, Professor Leipholz has earned the respect, admiration and friendship of his students and colleagues alike. To quote from the nomination submitted by his students, "Professor Leipholz is, quite simply, an outstanding teacher. He is able to communicate subject matter in a challenging and interesting manner to all levels of students and he constantly demonstrates concern for the sensitivity to the needs of the students. He is always approachable and interested in students – the classroom has an atmosphere of participation, not just a one-way presentation and students are never intimidated but encouraged to participate. He is inspiring to students – it is obvious that he is a man of outstanding international reputation, a very senior professor at this University who is very busy with research and administration, but who never gives the impression of not having time to help the undergraduate students".
[Professor Leipholz died in 1988]