VICKSBURG, Miss.—The late Dr. Michael Stephens’ legacy is cemented in the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) history, as he was posthumously inducted into the WES (Waterways Experiment Station) Gallery of Distinguished Civilian Employees.
The annual induction ceremony, which was held Tuesday, Sept. 25, in the ERDC Headquarters Building Auditorium, is the highest honor awarded to a former employee of the ERDC-Vicksburg site. The gallery honors the legacies of those who contributed to ERDC’s long-standing history of research, discovery, and innovation. Stephens is the gallery’s 118th inductee.
Stephens led the Data Analysis and Assessment Center (DAAC) in the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL). Some of his contributions included groundbreaking projects such as the Overhead Cover and Modular Protective System series of videos, posters, and 3D prints, all of which enhanced analysis and deployment of these life-saving technologies.
ERDC Director Dr. Beth Fleming applauded Stephens for his impact on the people around him and as a scientific visualization professional.
“I’m so impressed with how he emphasized mentorship, because it wasn’t required of him. Through mentorship, he made a huge impact on others’ lives,” said Fleming.
“Everything he did for scientific visualization in the military is still making a difference,” Fleming added. “Michael was a pioneer, and it’s easy to share with others the impact he had.”
Bobby Hunter, a former colleague and friend of Stephens, accepted the honor on Stephens’s behalf. Hunter recalled Stephens’s pursuit of excellence, which inspired him during his own career.
“Michael was relentless in his pursuit of providing world-class visualization,” said Hunter. “He set high expectations for excellence in all areas of the data and consistently maintained those standards. He was about continuous improvement and never settled for good enough. He always sought ways to better every aspect of their mission,” Hunter said during the ceremony. “Michael focused on the process and knew that you will have great outcomes if you pay attention to the details.”
Hunter also expressed how Stephens was adamant in inspiring and encouraging his team to strive for greatness.
“Michael also set high expectations for those on his team. He pushed his team to achieve greatness, which yielded incredible respect for those of us who worked with and knew him,” said Hunter. “Michael wasn’t a fan of awards but wanted to see others receive the accolades and honors they deserved. A satisfied customer was all that Michael wanted. As much as he would have told me to give this award to someone more deserving, I would have told him he deserved it. I would have also told him that this award, while for him and his great career accomplishments and impacts, is also for his wife, daughter, grandson, co-workers, friends, and generations to come.”
For each WES Gallery inductee, a photo is taken and added to the Gallery wall to commemorate their ERDC career. Stephens’s WES Gallery inductee photo is unique, as it is a pencil drawing of one of his final photos by Randy Kleinman, a former DAAC colleague.
“When we see this one-of-a-kind portrait hanging on the WES Gallery Distinguished Civilian Employees wall, we can remember and honor the legacy of Dr. Michael Stephens and his immeasurable impact on the ERDC, the nation, and the warfighter,” Hunter said.