2024 WEPAN Awards Nomination Open!
The 2024 WEPAN Awards will be presented at the 2024 Collaborative Network for Engineering and Computing Diversity (CoNECD) conference in Crystal City, VA.
Nominations Now Open!
The 2025 WEPAN Awards will be presented in conjunction with the 2025 Collaborative Network for Engineering and Computing Diversity (CoNECD) conference and the 2025 WEPAN in Engineering Program Day in San Antonio, TX.
2024 Award Winners
Previous Award Winners
FOUNDERS AWARD
The Founders Award honors a WEPAN member who exemplifies the spirit of the WEPAN founders through individual service that has made a significant impact for the organization. As this award is reserved for individuals who have advanced the goals of the organization, it may not be awarded every year. Individuals may only receive this award once. The award is named for the three founders of WEPAN - Suzanne G. Brainard, Jane Zimmer Daniels and Susan Staffin Metz.
Honorees
2024 - Lee Ann Schwope, Amphora Consulting
2022 - Paula Lampley, University of Cincinnati
2020 - Elizabeth Litzler, University of Washington
2019 - Julie P. Martin, Clemson University
2018 - Jenna Carpenter, Campbell University
2017 - Stephanie G. Adams, Dean, Batten College of Engineering & Technology, Old Dominion University
2016 - Beth Holloway, Purdue University
2015 - Paige Smith, University of Maryland
2014 - Tricia Berry, the University of Texas at Austin
2013 - Sheila Edwards Lange, University of Washington
2011 - Jan Rinehart, Rice University
2010 - Cathleen Barton, Intel Corporaton
2008 - Bevlee Watford, Virginia Tech
2007 - Sherry Woods, The University of Texas at Austin
2006 - Brenda G. Hart, University of Louisville
2005 - Barbara Bogue, The Pennsylvania State University
2003 - Cinda-Sue Davis, The University of Michigan
2002 - Linda Scherr, Program Director (retired), Women in Technology Global Workforce Diversity Department, IBM
2001- Sue Scheff, University of Kentucky
2000 - Barbara Lazarus, Carnegie Mellon University
1999 - Karan Watson, Texas A&M University
1998 - Carol Muller, Founder & Executive Director - MentorNet
1997 - Susan Staffin Metz, Stevens Institute of Technology
1996 - Suzanne G. Brainard, University of Washington & Jane Zimmer Daniels, Purdue University
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes WEPAN members whose individual service has made a significant impact on the organization.
Honorees
2024 - Laura Bistrek, University of Dayton
2022 - Nandika D'Souza, University of North Texas
2015 - Susan Arnold Christian, Virginia Tech
2014 - Beth Holloway, Purdue University
2013 - Jenna Price Carpenter, Louisiana Tech University
2012 - Julie P Martin, Clemson University
2011 - Tricia Berry, The University of Texas at Austin
2010 - Martha Cyr, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
2009 - Paige Smith, University of Maryland
2008 - WEPAN Communications Committee:
- Shelia Edwards Lange, University of Washington
- Carlie Bower, IBM
- Janel Barfield, IBM
- Leigh Abts, University of Maryland
- Cathy Pieronek, University of Notre Dame
- Kristina Kennedy, The Ohio State University
- Serita Acker, Clemson University
2006 - Walter D. McFall, WDM Associates & Betty P. Preece, Science Education Consultant
BETTY VETTER AWARD FOR RESEARCH
The Betty Vetter Award for Research recognizes notable achievement in research related to women in engineering. The award is named in memory of Betty M. Vetter, long time director of the Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology, who served as the first treasurer of WEPAN, Inc. and was a founding member of the Board of Directors. No more than one award will be given annually. Individuals are only eligible to receive this award once.
Honorees
2024 - Brooke Coley, Arizona State University
2022 - Ethel Mickey, University of Massachusetts and Ramón Barthelemy, University of Utah
2019 - Joyce B. Main, Purdue University
2018 - Lynnette Madsen, National Science Foundation
2017 - Julie P. Martin, Clemson University
2016 - Mary Besterfield-Sacre, University of Pittsburgh
2015 - Mary Anderson-Rowland, Arizona State University
2014 - Amy Sue Bix, Iowa State University
2013 - The research team of Matthew Ohland, Susan Lord, Michelle Camacho, Catherine Brawner, Richard Layton, Russell Long, and the late Mara Wasburn
2012 - Daryl E. Chubin
2011 - Michelle Hebl, Rice University
2010 - Peggy Meszaros, & Elizabeth Creamer, Virginia Tech
2009 - Karen Tonso, Wayne State University
2007 - Barbara Bogue, the Pennsylvania State University & Rose Marra, the University of Missouri - Columbia
2006 - Virginia Valian, Hunter College
2005 - Sheryl Sorby, Michigan Tech
2004 - Judy L. Lupart, University of Alberta & M. Elizabeth Cannon, PhD, University of Calgary
2003 - Sue Rosser, Ivan Allen College, Georgia Institute of Technology
2002 - Mary Frank Fox, Georgia Institute of Technology
2001 - Eleanor Babco, Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology & Elizabeth Cannon, Valarie Haines, and Jean Wallace, Calgary University
2000 - Elaine Seymour, University of Colorado at Boulder
1998 - Pat Campbell, Campbell-Kibler Associates, Inc.
1996 - Emily M. Wadsworth, Purdue University
WOMEN IN ENGINEERING INITIATIVE AWARD
The Women in Engineering Initiative Award recognizes an outstanding project or initiative that serves as a model for other institutions. To be considered, projects or initiatives should be in existence for at least 2 years. The nomination must include assessment data, which may include quantitative and qualitative data. No more than one award will be given annually. Institutions are limited to one award in a three-year period.
Honorees
2024 - WISE Mentoring Program, University of Dayton (academia level) and Game Changer Academies, Kardia Group and the National Science Foundation’s Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation Division (industry/government level)
2019 - California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) Women in Engineering Program & Pennsylvania State University “Engineering Mentoring for Internship Excellence” (EMIX)
2018 - Iowa State University's Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program
2017 - Cornell University - Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Graduate Women's Group & University of Calgary - Cybermentor Program
2016 - University of Maryland: Flexus: The Dr. Marilyn Berman Pollans Women in Engineering Living & Learning Community & Halliburton-Colorado School of Mines: Making the Connection Program
2015 - Learning Resource Network at Boston University
2014 - ELATE (Executive Leadership in Academic Technology and Engineering) Program at Drexel University
2013 - Engineers on Wheels Program - Rowan University
2012 - Recruiting Women to Engineering Program at Colorado State University
2011 - Graduates Linked with Undergraduates in Engineering (GLUE) Program at The University of Texas at Austin
2010 - Lives Improve Through Engineering (LITE) Program at Kettering University
2009 - IBM EX.I.T.E. Camp, Austin, TX
2008 - WELCOME Program - University of Houston
WOMEN IN ENGINEERING PROGRAM AWARD
The Women in Engineering Program Award recognizes an outstanding Women In Engineering (WIE) program that serves as a model for other institution.
Honorees
2024 - Penn State University Women in Engineering Program
2022 - Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Program, Clemson University
2015 - University of Illinois, Chicago Center for Research on Women and Gender's Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Program
2014 - California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo's Cal Poly Women's Engineering Program (CPWEP)
2013 - Purdue University's Women in Engineering Program
2012 - Rochester Institute of Technology's Women in Technology Program
2011 - University of Wisconsin-Madison's Women in Science & Engineering leadership Institute (WISELI)
2010 - Kansas State University's Women in Engineering & Science Program
2009 - North Carolina State University's Women in Engineering Program
2008 - Rochester Institute of Technology's WE@RIT
2007 - University of Wisconsin - Platteville's Women in Engineering Program
2006 - The Ohio State University Women in Engineering Program
2005 - Clemson University's Women in Science and Engineering Program
2004 - Bristol Community College's Women in Technology Program
2003 - Iowa State University's Program for Women in Science and Engineering & Worcester Polytechnic Institute Camp Reach
2002 - University of California, Berkeley's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Center for Undergraduate Matters
2001 - Ryerson Polytechnic University-Toronto's Women in Engineering Project
& University of Wisconsin-Madison's Women in Science and Engineering Residential Program
BEVLEE A. WATFORD INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE AWARD
The Bevlee A. Watford Inclusive Excellence Award honors individuals or groups who actively and creatively support the success of women of color in engineering at the undergraduate, graduate, faculty, and/or administrative levels. The award is named in honor of Past WEPAN President Dr. Bevlee A. Watford of Virginia Tech, who has served as a strong advocate for women of color in engineering, held a variety of engineering leadership roles in academia, as well as professional and governmental organizations, and been an effective a mentor to numerous women in engineering.
Honorees
2024 - Kimberly Cook-Chennnault, Rutgers University
2022 - Office of Inclusive Excellence and Community Engagement, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering & Applied Science
2020 - Karan Watson, Texas A&M
2019 - Gregory N. Washington, University of California, Irvine
2017 - Christine Grant, North Carolina State University
2016 - Bevlee A. Watford, Virginia Tech
INCLUSIVE CULTURE AND EQUITY AWARD
The Inclusive Culture and Equity Award recognizes and honors individuals for leadership in developing and implementing programs that promote positive change to the climate and culture for women in engineering.
Honorees
2022 - Florida Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (FL-AGEP)
2020 - Beena Sukumaran, Miami University
2019 - Susan E. Walden, University of Oklahoma
2018 - Gretal Leibnitz
2017 - DiOnetta Jones Crayton, MIT and Joyce Yen, University of Washington
2016 - Susan Coady Kemnitzer, PhD, National Science Foundation
LEADER IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION AWARD
The Leader in Engineering Education Award honors faculty, groups, or individuals who have created new methods or approaches to enhance engineering education. The award encompasses pedagogical methods, creating course frameworks, and/or effective teaming practices to engage and create an inclusive environment for engineering undergraduate students.
Honorees
2024 - Rebecca Brent, Education Designs Inc.
2022 - Paige Brown, FDA and Whitney Gaskins, University of Cincinnati
2020 - Beth Myers, University of Colorado, Boulder
2017 - Leon R. Grant III, Marietta City Schools Engineering Pipeline
2016 - Linda Vanasupa, California State Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo
ADVOCATES AND ALLIES AWARD
The The Advocates and Allies Award honors a man or group of men for mentoring, supporting and advocating for the success of women in engineering, or for climate and culture change that supports such success. honors a man or group of men for mentoring, supporting and advocating for the success of women in engineering, or for climate and culture change that supports such success.
Honorees
2024 - O. Thompson Mefford, Clemson University
2022 - Paul Dubina, ElectroLux
2020 - William (Bill) Rosehart, University of Calgary
2019 - Eddy M. Rojas, University of Dayton
2017 - Klod Kokini, Purdue University
2016 - Brett Gunnink, Montana State University
INDUSTRY TRAILBLAZER AWARD
The Industry Trailblazer Award recognizes and honors an employer or an individual or group of employees in industry who enhance the career success of women in STEM professionals, especially women identifying with underrepresented groups. The award may recognize the employer or employee in industry for their exceptional volunteer contributions to the STEM education at the primary, secondary or collegiate levels, especially in reaching girls from groups underrepresented in STEM fields. The name of the award signifies the ability of an employer or employee to “blaze a pathway” through the artificial barriers that prevent women in STEM professions of diverse backgrounds from attaining their full potential.
Honorees
2024 - Gloria Bañuelos, Qualcomm
2022 - Paige Brown, FDA
2019 - Cynthia Murphy-Ortega, Chevron & Aicha Evans, Zoox
2017 - Paula Golden, Broadcom Foundation
2016 - Lisa Durham, Argonne National Laboratory
STRATEGIC PARTNER AWARD
The Strategic Partner Award recognizes a professional organization that has partnered to promote WEPAN’s mission and work during the previous three years.
Honorees
2024 - The Burroughs Wellcome Fund
2022 - Roberta Rincon, SWE, Rochelle Williams, NSBE, and Dora Renaud, Papaya, representing the Women of Color in Engineering Collaborative
2017 - National Academy of Engineering
2016 - American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Year of Action on Diversity
WOMEN IN ENGINEERING CHAMPION AWARD
The Women in Engineering Champion Award recognizes an individual employee in industry for their volunteer contributions to STEM education at the primary, secondary, or collegiate levels.
Honorees
2024 - Lena Furci, HER Academy
2022 - Beth Anne Johnson, Clemson University
2015 - Tracy Drain, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab & Lisa Freed, iRobot
2012 - Sylvia B. Henson, IBM
2011 - Audrey Romonosky, IBM
2010 - Sandra Witman, DuPont Engineering Your Tomorrow Program
2009 - Janel Barfield, IBM & Kathryn Tobey, Lockheed Martin
EDUCATOR'S AWARD
The Educator's Award honors an engineering educator for exceptional achievement in increasing the participation and retention of women in engineering.
Honorees
2024 - Araceli Martinez Ortiz, University of Texas at San Antonio
2022 - Catherine Mavriplis, University of Ottowa and Trina Fletcher, Florida International University (higher education division); The Gaskins Foundation and Letitia Hubbard, NC School of Science and Mathematics (K-12 division)
2012 - Mimi Lufkin, National Alliance for Partnerships
2011 - Wendy C. Crone, University of Wisconsin at Madison & Barbara Ruel, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
2010 - Sarah Rajala, Mississippi State University & Engineer Your Life, WGBH Educational Foundation
2009 - Mary Anderson-Rowland, Arizona State University
BREAKTHROUGH AWARD
The Breakthrough Award honors individuals or groups for innovative and groundbreaking policies and initiatives to advance the careers of women engineers.
Honorees
2022 - RePicture
2011 - BAE Systems
2010 - Motorola Foundation
2007 - Raytheon Company
2005 - Hewlett Packard Corporation
2003 - DuPont
2000 - IBM
1999 - Corning, Inc.
1998 - AT&T Labs
WEPAN AND DiscoverE GIRL DAY AWARD (NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK AWARD)
Honorees
2024 - Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day at the College of Engineering, Wichita State University
2022 - Colorado State University Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
2020 - Collins Aerospace
2019 - University of Illinois at Chicago’s (UIC) Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
2018 - University of Toledo Girl Day
2017 - Kennedy Space Center, NASA
2016 - Congressman Daniel Lipinski of the 3rd District of Illinois
2015 - Argonne National Laboratory
2014 - Raytheon Company
2013 - WISE (Women in Science and Engineering), Clemson University; NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) & Lockheed Martin
2012 - Society of Women Engineers & Exxon Mobil
2011 - Maui's Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day Program WISER & Case Western Reserve University
2010 - Rockwell Collins
2009 - Women in Science, Engineering and Technology at Penn State University, Fayette Campus
2008 - Women in Engineering Program at the University of Maryland
2007 - Girls Research Our World Program at Kansas State University
2006 - Women in Engineering Program at The University of Texas at Austin
2005 - Worcester Polytechnic Institute
UNIVERSITY CHANGE AGENT AWARD
The University Change Agent Award honors an individual who has had positive impact within their academic institution with regard to the climate for women in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, with an emphasis on engineering.
Honorees
2024 - Amy Wendt, University of Wisconsin Madison
2022 - Serita Acker, Clemson University
2015 - Sobha Bhatia, Syracuse University & Christina Crespo, Oregon Institute of Technology
2014 - Cordelia Ontiveros, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
2013 - Canan Bilen-Green, North Dakota State University
2012 - L. Pamela Cook, University of Delaware
2011 - Chris S. Anderson, Michigan Technological University
2010 - Helen Buettner, Rutgers University
2009 - Patricia Hyer, Virginia Tech and Debra Lasich, Colorado School of Mines
2008 - Nancy Steffen-Fluhr, New Jersey Institute of Technology
2006 - Eve Riskin, University of Washington
WEPAN PRESIDENT'S AWARD
Honorees
2024 - Sheila Ross, Milwaukee School of Engineering
2022 - Ershela Sims, WEPAN and Heather Metcalf, WEPAN
2020 - Laura Bistrek, University of Dayton & Lilen Uchima, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2019 - Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, Tennessee State University
2018 - Lee Ann Cochran, PRADCO
2017 - North Dakota State University's Advance FORWARD Advocates & Allies
2016 - TECAID Mechanical Engineering Department Teams at Michigan Technological University, University of Oklahoma, Oregon State University, Purdue University, & Texas Tech University
2014 - Mary Anderson-Rowland, Arizona State University & Brenda Hart, University of Louisville
2013 - Cathy Deno, Purdue University
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