Counselor and Fellow Awards

The AWS Counselor and Fellow Awards celebrate members for distinguished organizational leadership and notable contributions to welding science and technology.

The American Welding Society, in 1999, established the honor of Counselor of the Society to recognize members for a career of distinguished organizational leadership that has enhanced the image and impact of the welding industry. The first class of Counselors was inducted at the 2001 AWS Show.

Election as a Counselor of the Society is demonstrated as evidenced by:

• Leadership of or within an organization that has made a substantial contribution to the welding industry. The individual’s organization shall have shown an ongoing commitment to the industry, as evidenced by support of participation of its employees in industry activities.
• Leadership of or within an organization that has made a substantial contribution to training and vocational education in the welding industry. The individual’s organization shall have shown an ongoing commitment to the industry, as evidenced by support of participation of its employees in industry activities.
  • This recognition is selected by the AWS Counselor Committee based on specific criteria at least 16 months in advance of FABTECH.
  • Nominations must be submitted through the online nomination portal by June 1st.
  • Nominations are reviewed/selected at the fall Counselors Committee meeting, with final approval the following year at the spring Districts Council meeting.
  • A maximum of 5 Counselors are selected each year, as determined by the Counselors selection committee.

The list of recent and past Counselor Citation Winners can be viewed here.

A letter from the Counselor Chair can be viewed here.

The American Welding Society, in 1990, established the honor of Fellow of the Society to recognize members for distinguished contributions to the field of welding science and technology, and for promoting and sustaining the professional stature of the field.  The first class of Fellows was inducted at the 1991 AWS Show.

Election as a Fellow of the Society is based on the reputation and outstanding accomplishment of the individual.  Such accomplishments will have advanced the science, technology and application of welding in specific areas such as research and development, education, manufacturing, design, and other areas the Society may determine, as evidenced by:

• Sustained service and performance in the advancement of welding science and technology
• Publication of papers, articles, and books, which enhance knowledge of welding
• Innovative development of welding technology
• Society and Section contributions
• Professional recognition
  • This recognition is selected by the AWS Fellow Committee based on specific criteria at least 16 months in advance of FABTECH.
  • Complete nomination packets must be submitted on the Fellow nomination form with supporting material by August 1 to nationalawards@aws.org.
  • Nominations are reviewed/selected at the fall Fellows Committee meeting with final approval the following year at the spring Districts Council meeting.
  • A maximum of 10 Fellows are selected each year, as determined by the Fellow selection committee.

The list of recent and past Counselor Citation Winners can be viewed here.

A letter from the Fellow Chair can be viewed here.

Download the National Awards Package below for full award descriptions and nomination requirements.