CEE’s John Tobiason Receives Accomplished Mentor Award from Engineers Without Borders
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Emeritus Professor John Tobiason of the UMass Amherst Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) Department has received the prestigious 2025 EWB-USA Accomplished Mentor Award from the national office of Engineers Without Borders (EWB)-USA for his more than two decades as faculty advisor and professional mentor for the university’s student chapter of EWB. As explained by EWB-USA Director of Systems and Volunteer Engagement Miranda Mallory in her letter to Tobiason, “This award honors mentors who guide, inspire, and make a lasting difference. Your impact on the EWB-USA UMass Amherst chapter and the communities you have worked with truly exemplifies these qualities.”
Tobiason’s award was announced during International Volunteer Day on Dec 5th of 2025, and he was on hand to accept the award at the 2026 EWB-USA National Conference in Portland, Oregon, in late February.
As Tobiason responded to the award, “I am very honored to receive this award and really appreciate the work of [CEE Professor of Practice] Nick Tooker, current and former students, and others who nominated me.”
Tobiason has served as a faculty advisor and professional mentor for the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) - UMass Student Chapter since it was founded in 2005 and has personally led several EWB projects in Kenya over that span. EWB UMass is a student-run organization dedicated to helping local and international communities create sustainable, community-driven solutions that improve their quality of life. Tobiason helped establish our campus chapter of EWB and has guided numerous projects that provide safe water to rural communities in Africa and other places.
As Mallory’s letter to Tobiason also said, “Your nominations that were submitted reflected an extraordinary legacy of mentorship, leadership, and service. Across every submission, a clear theme emerged: You have changed lives. Students, colleagues, and community partners all spoke about your unwavering commitment, humility, and genuine care.”
Among highlights recognizing Tobiason’s service to EWB, Mallory observed that “You have been a cornerstone of the UMass Amherst chapter since its founding, offering more than 20 years of guidance, technical expertise, and encouragement to hundreds of students. As the Responsible Engineer in Charge and mentor on multiple long-term projects in Kenya, you supported successful project closeouts while empowering both students and community members – not by taking over, but by teaching, listening, and partnering with them.”
Mallory noted that “Former students repeatedly described how your mentorship shaped their careers, including many who pursued graduate studies or engineering paths because of your influence. Your ability to translate complex concepts into clear, accessible guidance was cited again and again, whether explaining fluid mechanics to first-year students or discussing water treatment with community members in Kenya.”
Mallory added that “Your enduring relationships with community partners, your hands-on commitment during implementation trips, and your thoughtful approach to responsible, community-centered engineering deeply impressed all who [submitted nominations]. It is clear that your presence has been nothing short of transformational. You embody the spirit of growth, learning, and human-centered engineering that defines EWB-USA.”
Mallory concluded that “We are honored to recognize your decades of dedication and the lasting difference you have made.”
Tobiason, who was head of the CEE department from 2019 through the summer of 2024, has more than four decades of professional and academic experience focused on water treatment, with emphasis on particles in water, coagulation, and water filtration. Among numerous other accomplishments, Tobiason is a Fellow and past president of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors. He is a registered Professional Engineer (New Hampshire) and is a Board Certified Environmental Engineer by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (March 2026)