ISE welcomes its Distinguished Alumnus Award Winners for 2014
As part of the Homecoming weekend, ISE had the great honor of inducting four new members into its fraternity of Distinguished Alumni. The Distinguished Alumnus Award is the highest honor that the department can give any graduate. It’s awarded to alumni whose contributions to their profession, community and the university are notable and deserve special recognition.
This year’s class consisted of Dr. Arup Mallick, class of 1970 and 1972; Penni McLean-Conner, class of 1986; Tiffany Sargent, class of 1994 and Clarence Smith, class of 1969 and 1983. Surrounded by their families, friends and former professors, the inductees shared their perspective on what it takes to pursue your dreams and achieve success. The ISE Department would like to welcome its newest members and wish them continued success in the future.
Arup K. Mallik retired in 2004 from Quincy University. As the Engineering Program Director, he initiated the engineering program within the College of Science and Technology. Dr. Mallik received his Master of Science in Operations Research (M.S.O.R.) in 1970 and his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering in 1972 from NC State.
Before joining Quincy University, Dr. Mallik was a professor of Industrial Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University. During his 18-year tenure, he served as the department head for over seven years. Dr. Mallik was also part of the IE Department faculty at West Virginia University for over 11 years.
Throughout his career, Dr. Mallik helped establish the Energy Analysis and Diagnostic Center and the Center for Energy Research and Training. Both Centers are part of the U.S. Department of Energy. For his 30 years of work in the field, Dr. Mallik has received the Institute of Industrial Engineers Award of Excellence and Special Citation Award. His commitment to industrial engineering has earned him the title of Fellow from the Institute.
Dr. Mallik has two children, both engineering graduates from NC State.
Watch Dr. Mallick’s acceptance speech
Penni McLean-Conner is the Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President of Customer Group for Northeast Utilities. She received her bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from NC State in 1986 and is a registered Professional Engineer.
Before her position at Northeast Utilities, McLean-Conner was Vice President of the customer care team at NSTAR Electric & Gas. She also served as Director of Customer Service for Tampa Electric in Florida and worked at Duke Power for 12 years in Electric Operations and Customer Service.
PennWell books published her first book, Customer Service: Utility Style in 2006. This book offers proven strategies for improving customer service and reducing customer care costs. In the spring of 2009, her newest book, Energy Efficiency: Principles and Practices is a primer for the many stakeholders interested in energy efficiency solutions.
McLean-Conner serves on several boards including the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy and Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership among others.
Watch McLean-Conner’s acceptance speech
Tiffany A. Sargent received her M.S.I.E. from NC State in 1994. She also has a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Sargent began her career at Intel Corporation as a manufacturing systems engineer. She then rotated through five different business groups taking on various leadership and management roles. She has led complex technical endeavors across different fields. Her engineering education has enabled her to span both technical and business areas at Intel. Tiffany has received Intel’s highest award, the Intel Achievement Award, for innovative cyber-security solutions. Currently, she is a senior technical contributor within Intel Federal LLC.
The Phoenix Junior League recognized her as a 75th Anniversary Outstanding Women Honoree. They also awarded her the Mary Harriman Community Leadership Award. The Phoenix Business Journal inducted her as a member of the Forty Under 40 Class. In 2014, Connected World Magazine named her as one of the Women of M2M (IoT).
Sargent has volunteered her technical and business expertise with non-profits, academia, and government.
Watch Sargent’s acceptance speech
Clarence L. Smith is a professor emeritus in the ISE Department here at NC State. He received his bachelor of science in industrial engineering from NC State in 1969 and his master of science in industrial engineering in 1983.
Smith began his career as a staff industrial engineer with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He returned to NC State in 1978 as the inaugural ISE extension specialist. He joined the ISE department full time in 1984 as the first-ever assistant department head. He held that position until his retirement in 2010. During his tenure, he advised over 4,000 graduates, representing approximately 80% of all BSIE graduates since its start in 1931.
NC State University recognized Smith with the NCSU Outstanding Extension Award in 1984. He also received the Alumni Association Distinguished Undergraduate Professorship in 1985 and the NCSU Outstanding Faculty Advising Award in 2005. At the time of these awards, they represented the University’s most prestigious recognition in their respective areas. The Institute of Industrial Engineers awarded Smith the title of Fellow in 2005. His public service to the State of North Carolina includes more than 20 years as Board Member with the State Board of Refrigeration.