2026 Lyman A. Ripperton Environmental Educator Award
Lyman A. Ripperton (1921–1978) spent his career as a practitioner in education and research for air pollution control. He left the Los Angeles County Air Pollution Control District in 1958 to assume a teaching and research position in the Department of Environmental Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. There, he initiated an air pollution education program that developed into one of the foremost of its kind in the United States. The Lyman A. Ripperton Environmental Educator Award is presented to an individual who has inspired students to achieve excellence in their professional and social endeavors. It recognizes the ability that only a few educators possess: to teach with rigor, humor, humility, and pride. Recipients of this award are educators we would have chosen as our teachers if we had a choice. They are known by the accomplishments of their students.
A&WMA presents the 2026 Lyman A. Ripperton Environmental Educator Award to Tracy Thatcher.
Dr. Thatcher is an emeritus professor of Environmental Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). With over 20 years of dedicated service, it has been her profound honor to educate and mentor what she considers to be some of the brightest and most passionate students in the nation.
Dr. Thatcher began her academic journey at the University of California, Davis, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Upon graduation, she gained practical experience as an Environmental Engineer at Hewlett-Packard for five years. This industry experience ignited her passion for the environment and prompted her return to academia. She pursued her master’s and doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, where she also served as a lecturer, sharing her expertise and enthusiasm for environmental issues with the next generation of engineers.
A significant chapter of her career unfolded at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), where she achieved the rank of Staff Scientist within the Indoor Environment Program. In this role, Dr. Thatcher was a project manager for multiple large-scale field projects, including studies on air movement in Grand Central Terminal and pollutant transport throughout the Boston subway system. Her research and technical expertise in air quality, especially indoor air quality, paved the way for her subsequent role at Cal Poly, where she has made a lasting impact on environmental engineering education.
While Dr. Thatcher specializes in air quality, her teaching repertoire spans a diverse array of subjects, including Noise and Vibration Control and Hazardous Waste Management. Her innovative approach to education is particularly evident in her revamping of the introductory course for new students, aimed at strengthening the student cohort and equipping them with essential educational skills and strategies. Additionally, she developed a Fluid Mechanics course that emphasizes environmental applications through immersive, hands-on learning experiences. These initiatives not only engage students but also inspire them to recognize and explore the practical applications of their education in real-world contexts.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Thatcher has been a steadfast faculty advisor for the Society of Environmental Engineers, the student chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA). Under her guidance, the club has flourished, providing essential support for environmental engineering students through peer mentoring, professional networking, and leadership opportunities. Dr. Thatcher is proud to witness the transformation of her students into confident professionals who are ready to tackle the challenges of the environmental field.
Dr. Thatcher’s commitment to experiential learning extends beyond the classroom. For over a decade, she has been a dedicated mentor to student teams participating in the A&WMA Environmental Challenge International (ECi), leading Cal Poly to notable successes with five first-place finishes, two second-place finishes, and one third-place finish. Her role as principal author of the ECi problem statement in 2014 demonstrates her leadership and initiative in fostering a competitive yet collaborative spirit among students. Furthermore, her mentorship in the WERC Environmental Design Contest in New Mexico has positively influenced the professional trajectories of numerous students over nearly 20 years, culminating in the development of over 500 aspiring engineers through these competitions.
In reflecting on her career, Dr. Thatcher is deeply appreciative of the students who have inspired her with their curiosity, creativity, and determination. She is also grateful for the generous support of the A&WMA, whose resources, awards, and opportunities help students grow and strengthen their professional skills. She considers it a true privilege to be recognized by an organization so highly respected and closely aligned with her passion for environmental education and advocacy.
A&WMA presents the 2026 Lyman A. Ripperton Environmental Educator Award to Tracy Thatcher.
Dr. Thatcher is an emeritus professor of Environmental Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). With over 20 years of dedicated service, it has been her profound honor to educate and mentor what she considers to be some of the brightest and most passionate students in the nation.
Dr. Thatcher began her academic journey at the University of California, Davis, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Upon graduation, she gained practical experience as an Environmental Engineer at Hewlett-Packard for five years. This industry experience ignited her passion for the environment and prompted her return to academia. She pursued her master’s and doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, where she also served as a lecturer, sharing her expertise and enthusiasm for environmental issues with the next generation of engineers.
A significant chapter of her career unfolded at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), where she achieved the rank of Staff Scientist within the Indoor Environment Program. In this role, Dr. Thatcher was a project manager for multiple large-scale field projects, including studies on air movement in Grand Central Terminal and pollutant transport throughout the Boston subway system. Her research and technical expertise in air quality, especially indoor air quality, paved the way for her subsequent role at Cal Poly, where she has made a lasting impact on environmental engineering education.
While Dr. Thatcher specializes in air quality, her teaching repertoire spans a diverse array of subjects, including Noise and Vibration Control and Hazardous Waste Management. Her innovative approach to education is particularly evident in her revamping of the introductory course for new students, aimed at strengthening the student cohort and equipping them with essential educational skills and strategies. Additionally, she developed a Fluid Mechanics course that emphasizes environmental applications through immersive, hands-on learning experiences. These initiatives not only engage students but also inspire them to recognize and explore the practical applications of their education in real-world contexts.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Thatcher has been a steadfast faculty advisor for the Society of Environmental Engineers, the student chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA). Under her guidance, the club has flourished, providing essential support for environmental engineering students through peer mentoring, professional networking, and leadership opportunities. Dr. Thatcher is proud to witness the transformation of her students into confident professionals who are ready to tackle the challenges of the environmental field.
Dr. Thatcher’s commitment to experiential learning extends beyond the classroom. For over a decade, she has been a dedicated mentor to student teams participating in the A&WMA Environmental Challenge International (ECi), leading Cal Poly to notable successes with five first-place finishes, two second-place finishes, and one third-place finish. Her role as principal author of the ECi problem statement in 2014 demonstrates her leadership and initiative in fostering a competitive yet collaborative spirit among students. Furthermore, her mentorship in the WERC Environmental Design Contest in New Mexico has positively influenced the professional trajectories of numerous students over nearly 20 years, culminating in the development of over 500 aspiring engineers through these competitions.
In reflecting on her career, Dr. Thatcher is deeply appreciative of the students who have inspired her with their curiosity, creativity, and determination. She is also grateful for the generous support of the A&WMA, whose resources, awards, and opportunities help students grow and strengthen their professional skills. She considers it a true privilege to be recognized by an organization so highly respected and closely aligned with her passion for environmental education and advocacy.
Tracy Thatcher
