Educators from Oregon State University, North Carolina State University, Texas A&M University, Purdue University Honored

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Sept. 26, 2023 — SME,  the nonprofit committed to accelerating new manufacturing technology adoption and building North America’s talent and capabilities, has selected four Distinguished Faculty Advisors for 2023.

The educators are recognized for their service to the organization and their student chapters in advancing manufacturing knowledge, education and SME's mission of accelerating widespread adoption of manufacturing technologies and building North America’s talent and capabilities. The award, established in 2011, is presented to select SME student chapter faculty advisors to recognize their continued oversight and engagement efforts in advocating for students and the manufacturing industry.

SME’s Membership organization supports more than 140 college/post-secondary student chapters with over 1,750 student members.

“Faculty advisors help students understand and navigate the immense technical and business knowledge to which they are exposed as they choose a carve out a career path in manufacturing,” said Gregory A. Harris, PhD, PE, chair of SME’s Member Council. “Their insight helps students bridge the gap between academics and industry.”

SME student chapter faculty advisors utilize their expertise to integrate real-world manufacturing experiences into their classrooms, offer on-site research lab experience, sponsor attendance at industry conferences and co-author scientific papers published in peer-reviewed journals and professional conferences.

2023 Distinguished Faculty Advisors:

• Karl Haapala, PhD, associate professor, School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
• Jingyan Dong, PhD, professor, Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
• Wayne Hung, PhD, professor, Department of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
• Rustin Webster, PhD, associate professor, Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

Each faculty advisor receives a monetary award from SME to advance their professional development in the field and a certificate of appreciation. Additional award information can be found at sme.org/faculty-award.