An award to graduates of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, who through his/her career and service to the University, state, and/or nation have brought recognition to the University of Virginia and to themselves as individuals.

Lucien received his Bachelor’s degree from the School of Engineering and Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1963 and in 1965 graduated from the Darden School of Business Administration.

After graduation from the University of Virginia, he was employed by the Bahnson Company in Winston-Salem, NC where he held a number of managerial positions in several departments before joining R. J. Reynolds Industries in 1978.

At R. J. Reynolds he held several positions in the parent company and its subsidiaries from 1978 to 1999 when he then retired as the senior director of international development.

In Lucien’s mind, retirement has a non-standard definition…it was now time to get to work and support his alma mater with true energizer bunny vigor!

He moved to Charlottesville and started teaching in the McIntire School of Commerce where he presently teaches courses in negotiations and international marketing.

Since the early 1990s he has served his University in a number of capacities…he has served as a board member and president of the Virginia Engineering Foundation, as a trustee for the Darden School Foundation and as chair of the advisory board for the University of Virginia School of Nursing.

He is the past chair of the Annual Giving Advisory Board of the University and past chair of the University’s annual giving program for historic preservation…he is past chair and currently a member of the advisory board to the department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, a member of the Cancer Center Advisory Board and a trustee of the University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science.

OH!.....did I mention that he is a registered professional engineer in Virginia, North Carolina, and California.

Now to let out a secret…the Rolls Royce partnership with the School of Engineering and Applied Science would not have happened were it not for Lucien’s foresight and personality…he is the one who made the connection between SEAS and Rolls Royce and who ensured that this relationship got started off on the right foot…Lucien has not once hinted at the major role he played in this…he has simply been satisfied that he has helped his University and School yet again!

All of us at the School of Engineering and Applied Science are extremely proud that this man remains strongly tied to us and we are indeed honored to present this year’s School of Engineering and Applied Science Distinguished Alumni Award to Lucien L. Bass, III.