Dr. Vikas S. Sonwalkar
Professor of Electrical Engineering, Emeritus
WHEREAS Dr. Vikas S. Sonwalkar has served the ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ with distinction in teaching, research and public service from 1995 to 2023; and
WHEREAS Dr. Sonwalkar taught a broad range of graduate and undergraduate courses in electrical engineering; and he was the principal advisor to two postdoctoral fellows, 20 graduate students and nine undergraduate students; and he was recognized as the College of Engineering and Mines outstanding graduate student advisor in 2004; and
WHEREAS Dr. Sonwalkar performed research into diverse topics and pioneered space-based whistler mode radio sounding of electrons and ions; and he produced more than 50 articles, more than 150 conference abstracts and 30 major reports; and, at UAF, he obtained research grants of more than $15 million; and
WHEREAS Dr. Sonwalkar served on numerous university committees, in the UAF Faculty Senate and as department chair twice; and he helped establish the computer engineering program; and he served as Alaska faculty advisor to Radio JOVE, a NASA project involving high school and college students in radio astronomy;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ expresses its deep appreciation to Dr. Vikas S. Sonwalkar for his extensive contributions to the state of Alaska and to the university; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ, in further recognition of the invaluable services rendered by Dr. Sonwalkar and as evidence of the university’s desire that his identification with the university be maintained, hereby salutes the appointment of Dr. Vikas S. Sonwalkar as professor of electrical engineering, emeritus; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be appropriately engrossed and signed by the chancellor of the ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ as further evidence of the esteem and respect in which he holds Dr. Vikas S. Sonwalkar, and conveyed to Dr. Sonwalkar on this sixth day of May, 2023.