SAN ANTONIO — C. Douglas Sutton, Ph.D., professor emeritus at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., was awarded the 2009 Medal of Honor at PCI's Awards Breakfast on September 13, 2009, during the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Convention & Exhibition and National Bridge Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Prior to assuming his position at Purdue, Sutton worked in Providence, R.I., for the engineering consulting firm Charles A. Maguire & Associates, designing some of the earliest interstate highway bridges and other structures. In 1961, he joined the Purdue University civil engineering faculty, on which he served continuously until his retirement in May 2007. Sutton has taught at least 10 different courses at all levels in structural analysis, structural design (especially structural concrete), mechanics, and experimental mechanics. He has been formally recognized many times for his teaching, advising, and service with departmental, college, university, regional, and national awards.

He has been especially active as a Professional Member of PCI. In recognition of his contributions, he was granted the honorary title of Fellow in 1997; received the PCI Distinguished Educator Award in 1997; and was named one of 50 Titans of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Industry in 2004. His work has included active service on PCI’s Board of Directors, Research and Development Committee, Technical Activities Committee, and several other committees. He served 4 years, from 1999 to 2002, as chair of the Technical Activities Committee and on the Board of Directors. He is the current chair of the PCI Research and Development Committee. Sutton is also a member and current Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the PCI Foundation.

The Medal of Honor, PCI's highest award, recognizes a member’s outstanding service to the institute or contributions to the industry over a long period of time.