Kevin Q. Walsh Wins Academic Pioneer Award
SEPTEMBER 2026
Congratulations to Kevin Q. Walsh, PhD, PE, SE, on receiving the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) Academic Pioneer Award. Created to recognize original, visionary, and innovative ideas that have been scientifically investigated, tested, and demonstrated to advance composites technology, the Academic Pioneer Award honors individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on the field. Kevin has been selected as this year’s recipient and was recognized at the 2026 Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) in Atlanta.
In addition to his leadership at Frost, Kevin serves on the engineering faculty at the University of Notre Dame, where he is actively engaged in teaching, mentoring, and research. Through both academia and industry, he has helped advance the understanding and application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, contributing to the development of more durable, efficient, and resilient infrastructure solutions.
Frost has become one of the few structural engineering firms worldwide with extensive experience in the design and specification of load-bearing pultruded FRP structures. The firm’s portfolio includes more than 200 FRP-related projects spanning industrial facilities, data centers, residential building systems, bridges, deep foundation piles, and pioneering research initiatives.
This recognition reflects Kevin’s longstanding commitment to innovation, education, and the advancement of FRP technology. His dedication to both the profession and the classroom continues to shape the future of engineering and inspire the next generation of industry leaders.
See a full list of this year’s award recipients here.