STLE Detroit is proud to announce that its own Dr. Arup Gangopadhyay was honored with the prestigious Vic Joll Award at the 2026 STLE Annual Meeting, held May 17–21 at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Vic Joll Award recognizes outstanding and selfless contributions by an STLE section member who has worked tirelessly and continuously for the benefit of the section, devoting countless hours to the many activities necessary to promote and advance the mission of both the local section and STLE. The award is named in honor of the late Vic Joll, a champion of STLE’s local sections.
Dr. Gangopadhyay’s service to the STLE Detroit Section spans more than three decades. During his 31-year involvement with the section, he has contributed to programs, educational seminars, administration, student activities, social events, and other section initiatives
Education has been a particularly important part of his service. For 20 years, Dr. Gangopadhyay devoted his time to educational courses and section seminars, helping bring engaging speakers to Detroit by drawing on his extensive industry contacts. As communications chair, he also reached beyond the section’s existing membership to invite industry colleagues, encouraging greater collaboration and helping expand section membership.
His contributions have extended beyond the Detroit Section. Dr. Gangopadhyay has volunteered at STLE Annual Meetings, where he has helped teach educational courses on automotive tribology. He has also served as a Detroit Section board member, contributing to STLE’s broader mission.
Throughout decades of changes in membership and leadership, Dr. Gangopadhyay has provided the Detroit Section with continuity, quality, and dedication, and his commitment to the section has continued even after his retirement.
The STLE Detroit Section congratulates Arup on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his many years of dedicated service to the section and the tribology community.
