Dr. Richard C. "Dick" Bradt, professor of materials engineering and head of the department of metallurgical and materials engineering at The University of Alabama, was selected as the recipient of the 1998 Burnum Distinguished Faculty Award. Established by Dr. and Mrs. John F. Burnum of Tuscaloosa to recognize and promote excellence in research, scholarship and teaching, this award is one of the highest honors UA bestows on its faculty. It is presented annually to a professor who is chosen by a faculty selection committee on the basis of superior scholarly or artistic achievements and a profound dedication to the art of teaching. According to UA President, Andrew Sorensen, "One of the great advantages for our students of attending a research university is the ability of faculty members like you (Bradt) to link the creation of new knowledge (research) with the transfer of that knowledge to our students (teaching). We are proud to have you as a faculty member who exemplifies the integration of teaching, research, and service." Materials scientists and engineers internationally recognize Dr. Bradt, an MIT graduate, for his 30 years of academic experience. He has published more than 300 manuscripts, most appearing in significant scholarly journals. He has served on more than 200 graduate thesis committees and has advised 56 master's degree and 34 doctoral degree candidates. Dr. Bradt joined UA in 1994. When asked about his work, Dr. Bradt said, "One of the things I'm proudest of is that most of those research articles were written with the students' names first. Doing research and publishing papers with students is another form of teaching just like standing in front of a class or working with students in the laboratory." Dr. Bradt believes that opportunities come not only in the forms of teaching, research, service and his administrative responsibilities as a department head but also in student recruitment, fundraising, and mentoring younger faculty within the metallurgical and materials engineering department. A recipient of two national-level teaching awards during his career, Dr. Bradt has also been elected a Fellow of two of the world's most prestigious materials societies, The American Ceramic Society and ASM-International.