Connor honored with national cold regions engineering award

Kate Avery
907-474-5414
Apr. 20, 2026

Four men stand side by side on a snow-covered campus walkway, facing the camera. From left to right: David E. Sandberg, David J. Prusak, Billy G. Connor鈥攈olding a framed award鈥攁nd William Schnabel, dean of the College of Engineering and Mines. All are dressed in business or business-casual attire and are smiling. Behind them stands the 夜色福利 ice arch, a large, curved structure made of packed snow. A modern campus building with large windows sits further in the background, surrounded by snowbanks and leafless trees. The sky is bright with thin, streaked clouds. Billy G. Connor is holding the Harold R. Peyton Award for Cold Regions Engineering.
Photo by Melanie Rohr
From left, David E. Sandberg, David J. Prusak, Billy G. Connor (holding the Harold R. Peyton Award for Cold Regions Engineering), and William Schnabel, dean of the College of Engineering and Mines, stand in front of the UAF ice arch.

Billy G. Connor, a longtime leader at the Institute of Northern Engineering, was awarded the Harold R. Peyton Award for Cold Regions Engineering, a national honor from the American Society of Civil Engineers recognizing sustained contributions to engineering in extreme environments.

The award reflects a career that has helped shape how infrastructure is designed, built and maintained across Alaska. His research has addressed some of the state鈥檚 most persistent challenges, including permafrost instability, frost heave, thaw weakening and hydraulic design. He has contributed to statewide pavement and hydraulic standards still in use today.

Connor鈥檚 influence extends beyond Alaska. He has held leadership roles with the Transportation Research Board and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and currently chairs the Frost Action Committee within ASCE鈥檚 cold regions engineering community.

At the 夜色福利, his impact is felt not only in research but in people and programs. Connor has been a strong supporter of undergraduate student research, helping create opportunities for internships and mentorship. He also played a key role in bringing the INE High Bay Laboratory fully online, allowing researchers and students to test large-scale systems under realistic conditions.

Colleagues describe Connor as both a technical leader and a steady mentor. Derek Miller, Executive Officer for INE and the College of Engineering and Mines, noted that Connor brings "a rare combination of wisdom, practical insight, and genuine commitment to supporting others," and added that his impact on the community is lasting.

In addition to the national award, UAF has named Connor staff emeritus, recognizing his enduring contributions to the university and the state. He will be honored at the university鈥檚 Gold Ceremony on May 1 in the Davis Concert Hall, alongside other emeriti and distinguished award recipients.

Together, these recognitions reflect a career that has strengthened both the state and the university, helping build Alaska鈥檚 engineering capacity and supporting its communities.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Vicky Wolf, vgwolf@alaska.edu; 907-474-7330