Rouser recipient of 2024 Excellence in Research Mentoring Award

Friday, April 26, 2024

Media Contact:
Kristi Wheeler | Manager, CEAT Marketing and Communications | 405-744-5831 | [email protected]

Dr. Kurt Rouser, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in
the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology was selected as the recipient
of the 2024 Excellence in Research Mentoring Award, an award honoring faculty mentors
for success and impact in supervising undergraduate research students. 

He was recognized at the 2024 OSU Undergraduate Research Symposium held on April 16
in Click Hall of the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center.   

Rouser was recognized for his breadth and depth of mentoring activities, his individualized
mentoring strategies to fit students’ needs and limitations, his commitment to helping
students achieve in areas of their life that mean the most to them, and modeling positive
behavior and successful performance. 

“Kurt’s propulsion research is innovation-centered with advances in materials, manufacturing,
aerodynamics and electronics — driving students to integrate across their courses
and solve the toughest problems,” said Dr. Chuck Bunting, associate dean of research
in CEAT. “Last year, 10 invention disclosures hit my desk — all with student inventors
in the lead. Kurt Rouser is a whirlwind of ideas and a fantastic research mentor to
his students.”

Rouser’s research includes thermodynamics, aerospace propulsion and power, gas turbine
engines and pressure gain combustion. He has over 20 years of experience in the U.S.
Air Force focused on jet engines in a variety of fields, including research and development,
test and evaluation, maintenance and education.

“Dr. Rouser has transformed the aerospace propulsion research program at OSU, engaging
students in hands-on research experiences and guiding them to national recognition,”
said Dr. Sandip Harimkar, MAE department head. “Dr. Rouser is an outstanding research
mentor and actively mentors a large number of undergraduate and graduate students
in focused as well as collaborative interdisciplinary research projects. He has significantly
contributed to creating the talent pool for our graduate program and the aerospace
industry.”

Rouser serves as the faculty advisor for the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society
and the Sigma Gamma Tau Honor Society for Aerospace Engineering. He holds professional
memberships in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers, Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society and
Sigma Gamma Tau National Honor Society in Aerospace Engineering.

Rouser received his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Air
Force Academy, his master’s degrees in aviation science from Oklahoma State University
and aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and his doctoral
degree in mechanical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology.