June 27, 2024 by SME Communications SME celebrated the achievements of exceptional professionals at its International Awards Gala in June. These remarkable individuals have spearheaded groundbreaking advancements in manufacturing technologies, processes, and education, shaping the landscape of industry innovation. Beyond their professional accomplishments, they are esteemed members of SME, recognized for their dedication through volunteerism and service to the community. The seven SME International Honor Award winners include experienced manufacturing professionals who have made enormous contributions to their industry. This year’s award winners were recognized for innovations in the areas of manufacturing technologies, processes, technical writing, education, research and management, and service to SME. Awardees included: Eli Whitney Productivity Award — Melissa Orme, PhD, Vice President, The Boeing Company, El Segundo, Calif. Joseph A. Siegel Service Award — Kathryn M. Daniels, PhD, CMfgE, LSME, Consultant, Tri-Phase Engineering, Valley Cener, Kan. Donald C. Burnham Manufacturing Management Award — Jonathan H. Owen, PhD, Director, Head of Advanced Analytics Center of Expertise, General Motors, Warren, Mich. SME Frederick W. Taylor Research Medal — Marion Merklein, Dr.-Ing., Professor, FAU, Institute of Manufacturing Technology, Erlangen, Germany SME Albert M. Sargent Progress Award – Yong Huang, PhD, Professor, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. SME Education Award — Chinedum Okwudire, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. SME Gold Medal — Lihui Wang, PhD, FSME, Professor and Chair of Sustainable Manufacturing, Stockholm, Sweden Inspirational Young Professionals SME also recognized young manufacturers by awarding two Delcie Durham Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineers, age 35 or younger, for their exceptional contributions and accomplishments in the manufacturing industry. Amberlee Haselhuhn, PhD and Pai Zheng, PhD accepted their awards at the SME Spring Gala. Each year, the award is named in honor of a specific individual who has made lifelong contributions to manufacturing and SME. The 2024 award namesake is longtime SME member Susan Smyth, the retired chief scientist for global manufacturing at General Motors and director of GM R&D Manufacturing Systems Research Labs. She served as SME president in 2020 and was made an SME Fellow in 2014. Her career includes a history of leadership positions in manufacturing, engineering, data analytics and research and development as well as serving as chair of the U.S. Manufacturing Council. Excellence in Manufacturing Training SME established the Excellence in Manufacturing Training Award to honor forward-thinking manufacturing organizations that demonstrate exceptional commitment and dedication to talent development, recruitment, and retention. The Excellence in Manufacturing Training Award is bestowed annually to the company that most effectively implements best practices in training programs focused on building a high-performing workforce to help others evolve their workforce development efforts and ultimately strengthen the manufacturing industry's competitiveness. This year’s award winner, Kubota Manufacturing of America Corporation was recognized for exceptional commitment and dedication to upskilling its workforce, enhancing talent, and preparing new and incumbent employees for successful careers in the manufacturing industry. Next-Generation Manufacturers The SME Education Foundation awarded 130 scholarships to students pursuing post-secondary education in manufacturing, engineering, or related fields in 2024. This year, nearly $900,000 was awarded to graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students as part of the Foundation’s mission to inspire, prepare and support the next generation of manufacturing and engineering talent.
