An internationally renowned pioneer and world expert in the field of geothermal energy, Dr. Lund has been engaged in service to the ˿Ƶ Tech community for over 50 years. He has lectured and provided training in 46 countries around the world and has written extensively on the subject with many prestigious honors and awards in the field. He began his career at ˿Ƶ Tech in 1967 as an associate professor in Civil Engineering and continued as a professor in the department through 1999, while also serving as department chair, division chair, associate dean and dean. He is one of the original founders of the Geo-Heat Center at ˿Ƶ Tech and served as director from 1997 until 2010. Dr. Lund is both an emeritus faculty member and an emeritus administrator at ˿Ƶ Tech, a significant accomplishment matched by few.
˿Ƶ Tech President, Dr. Nagi Naganathan presented the award to Dr. Lund at the event. “I have called upon John several times during the last year to join us in presenting our geothermal expertise to important visitors to our campus, including Congressman Walden and others,” said President Naganathan. “John has always been very kind to participate and contribute as a great ambassador for ˿Ƶ Tech. It is a privilege, an honor, and certainly a true joy for me to recognize Dr. Lund with the inaugural ˿Ƶ Tech Ambassador award.”
Dr. Lund shared his passion for his work: “I came to OIT (then OTI) in 1967 as I wanted to teach at an institution that had a practical orientation to teaching and research,” he said. “I intended to stay only a short time, but I was so impressed with the students and faculty that I stayed 50 years and have enjoyed every minute of it. I also liked the opportunity to teach a variety of subjects that even included PE classes in cross-country skiing and hiking, as well as doing research that was practical, such as building test roads with cinders and pumice. Later, I was involved with geothermal energy testing downhole heat exchangers and founding the Geo-Heat Center. It has been a great and rewarding experience, and I still enjoy visiting campus on a weekly basis to give an occasional guest lecture and talk to faculty and students.”
Dr. Lund received a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado, a Master of Engineering in Transportation Engineering from the University of California-Berkley, and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado. He is a registered professional engineer in ˿Ƶ, California and Colorado. His areas of interest include research, design and field work related to the direct uses and small-scale power generation from geothermal energy and geothermal heat pumps. In the field of civil engineering his interest lies in teaching, design and field work related to transportation and geothermal engineering.
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