Engineering faculty member recognized as one of Michigan’s Distinguished Professors of the Year

In May, the GVSU team will continue its streak of traveling to Houston to compete in NASA's Micro-g NExT challenge. Manoharan said one of this year's challenges is for engineering teams from around the country to design a cart handle that astronauts on the moon can easily maneuver.

Manoharan was quick to brag about Padnos College of Engineering students.

"Our students are very hands-on," he said. "An example is the NASA project. Our students have competed and topped students from other big universities. When it comes to engineering, building, testing and prototyping, our students are among the best."

Last year, Manoharan was among the engineering faculty who secured a $1.98 million grant from the National Science Foundation to remove financial barriers and create academic support systems for students to earn engineering degrees. That project will welcome a student cohort this fall. In 2020, Manoharan and others received an NSF grant to support students who are pursuing a combined bachelor's and master's degree in engineering.

Adebayo Ogundipe, dean of the Padnos College of Engineering, said Manoharan's award is an honor for the entire college.

"Dr. Manoharan's commitment to listening, mentoring and inspiring both in and out of the classroom makes him a worthy recipient of this honor," Ogundipe said. "He symbolizes the commitment that all PCE faculty have to helping students learn not just engineering skills but everything they need to succeed."

This marks the third consecutive year MASU has recognized a Grand Valley faculty member as a Distinguished Professor of the Year. Adrienne Wallace, associate professor of advertising and public relations, and Brad Wallar, professor of chemistry, were recipients in 2025 and 2024, respectively.