Robert O. “Bob” Segner, who enjoys introducing himself with “It is my privilege to serve as professor of Construction Science at Texas A&M University,” received the 2007 Association of Former Students University Level Teaching Award.
Many Segner’s many students, especially those who nominated him for the honor, said they too were privileged, as it was a joy to be in his classroom.
As a professor, Segner has developed the most highly subscribed courses in his department. His teaching load is often among the highest in the college and department, with 250-400 students each semester, and that number has been the same for the past 25 years.
His teaching evaluations, as well as evaluations of overall faculty effectiveness, are consistently outstanding, among the highest of any faculty member in the Department of Construction Science and among the highest in the college.
Present and former students name him as the faculty member who was the most influential teacher and mentor on their roads to success.
In 2006, he was selected as runner-up for A&M’s Presidential Professor for Teaching Excellence Award, the university’s highest teaching recognition. The 2007 award marked the third time he’s been recognized by the Association of Former Students. He received teaching awards in 1985 and 1997.
Each fall, The Association of Former Students honors outstanding faculty members for their dedication to teaching. They are recognized for their talent, expertise and devotion on conveying knowledge to students. Since the program's inception in 1982, 619 awards have been given totaling $1.24 million. Segner was awarded with a framed certificate and $2000.
In presenting the award, The Association of Former Students noted that Segner’s “teaching and his love for his students, and for his university, are the centerpieces of his professional life.”
Segner is actively involved at the national level in professional associations, and is president-elect of the American Council for Construction Education, the primary international accreditation agency for programs of construction management higher education. His scholarly interests include project delivery systems, construction materials and methods, continuing education of all kinds, and distance learning.
A former Yell Leader, Segner graduated from Texas A&M in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Construction, and a Master of Construction Management degree in 1971.
