CEAT associate dean holds visionary leadership ideals for new title of IISE president
Monday, February 5, 2024
Media Contact: Desa James | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-8626 | desa.james@okstate.edu
Sunderesh Heragu, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, has been elected president of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers and will begin his term in 2025.
IISE, established in 1948, is an international, nonprofit organization that provides opportunities to magnify the skills of its members, customers and the profession. It is recognized as the largest professional society worldwide devoted to advancing industrial engineering.
“Representing a flagship society for industrial engineers worldwide that is so close
and dear to my heart is truly an honor,” Heragu said. “I am grateful to have received
numerous awards from the organization. I am especially proud to be following the footsteps
of giants in the field who have led the institution since its inception. The giants
include Ken Case and Joe Mize both of whom are emeritus regents professors in the
School of Industrial Engineering and Management and National Academy of Engineering
members.”
Heragu, who has served on the board of trustees for IISE, said, “As President, I will be focused on three goals — enhancing our profession’s visibility to the broader society, domestically and internationally; increasing IISE membership; and securing IISE’s financial future. My guiding principles are integrity, transparency, inclusion and growth.”
During his time with IISE, Heragu has received a number of awards that demonstrate his dedication to the organization and its cause: the David F. Baker Distinguished Research Award, Fred C. Crance Distinguished Service award, and best paper awards from IISE Transactions on Design and Manufacturing.
Heragu has been with OSU for over a decade where he has honed the minds of CEAT students, introduced them to different cultures around the world, served as Industrial Engineering and Management department head, gained the title of regents professor and holds the John Hendrix Chair. This robust list of achievements paves the way for him to excel as IISE president.
“Dr. Sunderesh Heragu’s election as president of IISE is a very select honor and reflects the high esteem he is held in by his colleagues in the organization,” said Interim Dean of CEAT, Dr. Veenstra. “Throughout his career, Dr. Heragu has been at the forefront of solving complex problems related to manufacturing, material handling, healthcare, logistics and distribution.
“He has been recognized with multiple awards for research, education, and service and is a fellow of both IISE and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. This record of significant accomplishments has provided Dr. Heragu with knowledge, skills and vision to lead IISE in its many activities that benefit the profession.”
IEM has had many of their faculty and alumni serve as president over the years including Wilson Bentley (1965-66), Roy Allen (1973-74), Joe Mize (1981-82), Ken Case (1986-87), Lee Blank (1993-94), Scott Sink (1992-93) and Tim Greene (1997-98).
“As an academic leader belonging to the third oldest industrial engineering school in the world and one that has produced seven past IISE Presidents, I have a vested interest in ensuring the contributions of past leaders and members are leveraged so that IISE, which has been a force for 75 years, can be there for the next 75 and beyond,” Heragu said.