Engineering alumni society wins award for dedication to student programs

12/9/2019

By Miranda Buckheit

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — In recognition of its job shadowing program, the Penn State Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Alumni Society (PSIMES) received a Penn State Alumni Association (PSAA) Volunteer Award at the PSAA Volunteer Awards Banquet in October.

The PSIMES program gives industrial engineering students an opportunity to spend a day with an industrial engineering alumnus or alumna. Students gain real-life experience, receive career guidance, learn about the skills to be successful in industry and gain direct access to networking opportunities that can lead to potential employment.

John Grese, a 1985 industrial engineering graduate who spearheaded the program, explained that students are always looking for fresh learning opportunities and said that it is essential to provide students with unique experiences to keep them interested in the learning process. Grese, Susan Steadman, a 1983 industrial engineering graduate, Thomas Kapelewski, a 1982 industrial engineering graduate, and Kyle Kester, a 2002 industrial engineering graduate, introduced a pilot version of the program in summer 2018.

“I enjoy being on the PSIMES Board because I have the chance to create and implement programs like the job shadow program,” Grese said. “Programming such as this helps students succeed and makes the industrial engineering undergraduate program stand out. It’s rewarding to be involved with a group that cares so much about Penn State and student success.”

On Oct. 18, PSIMES accepted the Ned Brokloff Endowment for Alumni Association Affiliate Group Award for Innovation, marking the third year that PSIMES has received an award from the PSAA. Brokloff, an engineering alumnus, is currently the defense research liaison between the College of Engineering and the Applied Research Laboratory. He endowed this award in Sept. 2016. Previous awards received by the organization were in the categories of “Membership” and “Fellowship and Networking.”

“This program has enabled PSIMES to support IME students as they explore which aspect of industrial engineering they want to pursue as a career,” said Deborah Laudenslager, a 1988 industrial engineering graduate and current president of the PSIMES Board. “The program has also engaged more alumni and provided a potential recruitment program for alumni”s employers.”

Some of the benefits of membership in PSIMES include providing undergraduates with mentorship programs, résumé assistance and career guidance. It also presents alumni with opportunities to network with each other, be a mentor and to be more involved in Penn State activities and programs.

The Penn State Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Society (PSIMES) was established in 1998 as an affiliate program group of the Penn State Engineering Alumni Society. PSIMES, through its Board of Directors, works to stimulate the continued interest and professional development of all graduates of the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. The group strives to promote fellowship and communication among industrial engineering alumni, faculty and students.

 

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Megan Lakatos

mkl5024@psu.edu

 
 

About

Home of the first established industrial engineering program in the world, the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (IME) at Penn State has made a name for itself in the engineering industry through its storied tradition of unparalleled excellence and innovation in research, education, and outreach.

We are Innovators. We are Makers. We are Excellence in Engineering. We are Penn State IME.

The Harold and Inge Marcus Department of
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

310 Leonhard Building

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA 16802-4400

Phone: 814-865-7601

FAX: 814-863-4745