The president of Sukup Manufacturing Co., headquartered at Sheffield in northern Iowa, has been appointed to a faculty position in Iowa State University’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

Charles Sukup, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in ag engineering from ISU in 1976 and 1982, began a five-year, part-time appointment in the fall.

“We are fortunate, as Charles brings industry leadership and experience to our department to share with students,” says Steve Mickelson, ABE department chair. “Our program is highly ranked because we attract students who want to learn from the best faculty and having guidance from Charles will add to our strength.”

Sukup will advise the department chair on key initiatives, such as strategic planning and strengthening engagement with industry, and serve on departmental committees focused on international programs and awards. He’ll also lecture in classes and senior capstone courses.

“It is a great opportunity to share what I’ve learned in my career with a new generation of engineering leaders,” Sukup says. “Being back at Iowa State to work with students, faculty and staff is an honor and something that gives me great pleasure.”

Department nationally recognized
In September, Sukup was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., where he received the highest professional distinction accorded an engineer. The ABE department has two faculty who are members of this prestigious academy: Sukup and Ronald Leonard, associate professor, who was elected in 1999.

For several years, ISU’s ABE department has been ranked in the top three by U.S. News and World Report as the nation’s best undergraduate and graduate programs in biological and agricultural engineering.

Since 1905, the department has been a leader in providing engineering and technical solutions for agriculture, government and industry. The nation’s first ag engineering program has evolved to encompass a global and interdisciplinary view of modern ag and biological systems. The program includes environmental stewardship, plant and animal production, biorenewable energy, biobased materials, farm safety, occupational safety, manufacturing, and advance innovation in off-road equipment design.

Sukup Manufacturing Co. is the world’s largest family-owned and operated grain storage, drying and handling equipment manufacturer. The firm, based in Sheffield, covers 1 million square feet of office, manufacturing and warehouse space. It employs over 600 people, making it one of the largest employers in north-central Iowa.

Three generations of the family are active in the business. Sukup has six distribution centers located throughout the Midwest. Sukup products are sold throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as more than 80 countries.

Source: Iowa State University