The following is from an email Prof. Wakin received:
Dear Michael B. Wakin:
Recognizing the achievements of its members is an important part of the mission of the IEEE. Each year, following a rigorous evaluation procedure, the IEEE Fellow Committee recommends a select group of recipients for elevation to IEEE Fellow. Less than 0.1% of voting members are selected annually for this member grade elevation.
It is my great pleasure to inform you that the IEEE Board of Directors, at its November 2020 meeting, elevated you to IEEE Fellow, effective 1 January 2021, with the following citation:
for contributions to sparsity-based signal processing and compressive sensing
Within the next two months, you will receive your IEEE Fellow pin and certificate. Both serve as visible recognition of your elevation to the highest grade of membership in the IEEE.
You bring honor to yourself and to IEEE by your achievements. Congratulations!