Dillon native, J. Richard Cottingham, P.E., P.L.S., now of Seneca, South Carolina, has been awarded the NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) Distinguished Service Award with Special Commendation for his dedicated service to the engineering and surveying professions. Cottingham received the organization’s highest honor at its 93rd annual meeting, held August 20–23, 2014, in Seattle, Washington.

Cottingham received the Distinguished Service Award in 2003 for his many contributions to NCEES, including serving as president, treasurer, and Southern Zone vice president. Since receiving this award, he has continued to serve his profession with distinction.
An emeritus member of the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors, Cottingham remains committed to advancing licensure for engineers and surveyors.
Appointed as a special consultant to assist the South Carolina Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors, he has served on two South Carolina board committees to find resolutions to changes introduced by the state architectural board that, potentially, would have negatively impacted the practice of engineering and the welfare of the public.
Cottingham has also continued his service to NCEES since 2003. For the past two years, he has been a member of the Public Outreach/ Communications Task Force. He has also been a member of the Licensure Qualifications Oversight Group, the Engineering Practice Exam Task Force, and the Committee on Awards. Over the last 25 years, he has served on over 30 committees and task forces.
Committed to promoting licensure, Cottingham speaks to Clemson University engineering students about the importance of the P.E. license, as well as professional development and lifelong learning, each semester.
He has taken part in ABET accreditation visits at universities in North Carolina and South Carolina.
He serves on the Clemson University Civil Engineering Advisory Board and is an honorary member of national civil engineering honor society Chi Epsilon.