Needy Earns Two Industrial Engineering Honors

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l-r: David Poirier, president-elect of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, Dean Kim Needy i

Kim LaScola Needy, dean of the Graduate School and International Education and professor of industrial engineering, has been honored twice for her contributions to the profession of industrial engineering.

Needy has earned the Albert G. Holzman Distinguished Educator Award and the Engineering Economy Wellington Award, both from the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.

The Holzman Award recognizes educators who contribute significantly to the industrial engineering profession through teaching, research and publication, extension, innovation or administration. The annual award is nomination-based, and is judged on evidence of teaching excellence, research accomplishment and innovation in teaching and learning, among other factors.

The Wellington Award is given in honor of outstanding long-term contributions and service in the field of engineering economy that enhance the visibility of the Engineering Economy division of IISE.

Needy was chosen for the Wellington Award based on her organizational leadership, involvement in organization activities, contribution to the profession and length and quality of service.

She is the second consecutive Wellington awardee. Heather Nachtmann, College of Engineering associate dean for research, earned the award in 2018.

John English, dean of the College of Engineering, said the recognitions were well-deserved.

"Kim Needy has been my friend and colleague for many years, and to see her recognized among the best in our profession is outstanding," English said. "Earning one of these awards is a tremendous achievement, and to earn both in the same year reflects her high-impact work and dedication to industrial engineering."

"I am humbled by receiving both of these awards," Needy said. "Dr. Holzman was an exceptional educator and was my professor when I was an undergraduate student. Receiving the award that bears his name has very special meaning to me."

Needy was presented the awards at the IISE annual conference, May 18-21 in Orlando, Florida.