Honorary Degree Recipient
Doctor of Science
Institute of Technology, May 5, 2000
A native of England, Charles Fairhurst received a Ph.D. in mining engineering from Sheffield University in 1955. He moved to the United States in 1956 to take a position as a research associate in the School of Mines at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Fairhurst held various positions at the University of Minnesota from full professor to the head of the School of Metallurgical Engineering and then head of the Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering. He retired and became Professor Emeritus in 1997 after having served more than 40 years on the faculty of the University of Minnesota. He is recognized for his key role in establishing rock mechanics as a recognized engineering discipline. His leadership in several innovations has revolutionized the field of rock mechanics. In addition, he is the author of more than 100 publications that span nearly all aspects of rock mechanics and rock engineering.
Biographies are as-of time of award presentation.