Tom Wanke, CFPE, director of MSOE’s Fluid Power Industrial Consortium (FPIC), was inducted into the International Fluid Power Society’s Fluid Power Hall of Fame in honor of his dedication and contribution to fluid power technology. 

Wanke dove into the fluid power industry over 40 years ago and has devoted his career to leading, teaching and developing courses and programs at MSOE ever since. In addition to serving as director of the FPIC, he is director of industry relations and an adjunct associate professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department. Wanke shares his wealth of knowledge with others through industry technical presentations. He also plans, coordinates and facilitates MSOE’s annual NFPA Fluid Power Action Challenge for eighth grade students. He holds two U.S. patents, and was the recipient of the Karl O. Werwath Engineering Research Award, Otto J. Maha Pioneers in Fluid Power Award and MSOE Fluid Power Achievement Award. He serves on the International Standards Organization (ISO) TC-131 Technical Standards Committee for Fluid Power and is vice chair of the NFPA Technical Board.

To be eligible for the Fluid Power Hall of Fame, an individual must have a verifiable 25 or more cumulative years in the fluid power industry. Those nominated are then asked to complete a 13-question application, which is reviewed by a panel of six judges. The judges choose the inductees based on their contributions to the fluid power industry using a subjective and objective evaluation system. Wanke was among 11 industry leaders, six posthumous, inducted into the 2019 Fluid Power Hall of Fame.

“The Fluid Power Hall of Fame recognizes the lifelong contributions of individuals whose innovative ideas, entrepreneurial spirit and hard work have significantly contributed to the continuing success of the fluid power industry,” said Rance Herren, CFPSD, CFPECS, CFPAI, CFPMT, Hall of Fame Committee Chair. “The inductees for the 2019 Inaugural Class were selected from a slate of outstanding candidates and I am, along with the selection committee, truly thrilled to honor these visionary and impactful leaders.”  

Wanke holds an associate degree in fluid power engineering technology, B.S. in mechanical engineering technology, and M.S. in engineering with a fluid power specialty from MSOE.