Benjamin Mooring

I just learned a few days ago of Dr. Mooring´s passing. I had him for two mechanical engineering classes at Texas A&M in the early 1980s. He was one of my favorite professors and one of the most impactful in my career. I remember a class discussion in which students were lamenting the perceived "weed out" purpose of several courses. Dr. Mooring countered the rationale that the university was trying to limit the number of students that would be allowed to pass a given course. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the standard of knowledge that engineers must be equipped with. He said something to the effect of "If 99.9% of students met the standard and passed fine, but if 99.9% of students failed, that was also fine. The standard would not be lowered." I have held onto this principle throughout my career and have tried to instill it in the young engineers I work with now. People´s lives depend on the work of engineers. I am very appreciative of what I learned from Dr. Mooring.

My condolences to his family.

Trent Topham, PE
Texas A&M Class of `84