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Richard O. Mines, Jr. is an American civil/environmental engineer, educator, writer, and first-generation college graduate. He is best known for his contributions and dedication to the engineering profession and engineering education, and his life-long commitment to running.

Biography

Richard O. Mines, Jr was born in Bath County, Virginia to Dreama B. Mines and Richard O. Mines. He received his BS in civil engineering from the Virginia Military Institute and was a Distinguished Air Force ROTC graduate, an ME in civil engineering from the University of Virginia and a PhD in civil engineering from Virginia Tech. Joseph H. Sherrard was his PhD advisor at Virginia Tech. John Novak, William Knocke, J.P. Wightman, and Robert Benoit served on his dissertation committee.

His first academic position was as an Instructor at the Virginia Military Institute (August 1977-June 1979) where he taught surveying, computer programming, and courses on water and wastewater treatment. It was during this appointment that he realized that academia is where his career would be; however, he also understood that he would need to gain some practical consulting experience along the way. Mines’ acquired practical consulting experience with William Matotan and Associates as a design engineer in Albuquerque, New Mexico; process engineering experience with CH2M Hill in their Tampa and Gainesville, Florida offices (1986 to 1990); and as Senior Process Engineer in Black & Veatch’s Tampa Office (1990-1992).

He was an Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa (1983-1985, 1992 to 1998) teaching undergraduate and graduate courses on water and wastewater treatment, introduction to environmental engineering, air pollution control, design of water and wastewater treatment facilities, and conducted research on biological nutrient removal systems, and modeling wastewater systems. He returned to VMI and served on the faculty from (1985-1986) to teach environmental courses, fluid mechanics, and conduct research on oxygen uptake rates.

Mines finally found his niche at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia where he served as the director of the environmental engineering program for 10 years (1998-2008). Presently, he is serving as the Director of MSE/MS Programs in the School of Engineering and a Professor of Environmental Engineering. Mines’ is the former President of the Southeastern Section of the American Society for Engineering Education (2002-2003).

During his teaching career, he has taught 42 different undergraduate engineering courses and 12 graduate courses. His most recent graduate course was on “Water Reclamation and Reuse”. Mines and his wife, Beth Pehle Mines reside in Macon, Georgia and are the parents of two sons, Richard Andrew and Daniel Charles.

Research

Mines’ major areas of research involve design and analysis of wastewater systems, especially biological nutrient removal systems, modeling wastewater systems, oxygen transfer, and treatment of wastewater residuals. He has researched alternative and innovative methods for enhancing learning in the classroom.

Publications/Presentations

Mines’ is the author or coauthor of over 100 publications, two textbooks,  and two chapters in books or manuals. He has made over 55 presentations pertaining to his engineering and educational research.

Accomplishments and Awards

His most cherished accomplishments relate to his teaching effectiveness being recognized as the Outstanding Professor of the Year Award in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of South Florida (1994-1995 and 1996-1997) in addition to receiving a Teaching Incentive Program Award by the State University System of Florida from 1995 to 1998.

He was elected to Fellow Status by the following professional organizations: American Society of Civil Engineers (2007), Environmental and Water Resources Institute (2013), and American Society for Engineering Education (2015).

He is a life-long, athlete and was inducted into the Bath County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. Mines’ ran competitively in college at the Virginia Military Institute and served as the captain of the cross-country team, co-captain of the indoor track team, and tri-captain of the outdoor track team his senior team. He had completed 56 marathons, competed in over 370 races, and logged approximately 77,000 miles to date.