OPTIMIZING OPTIMIZING EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE
Industrial
DEPARTMENT HEAD
ARCHIS GHATE
DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE STUDIES
KEVIN LEDER
DIRECTOR OF MASTERS PROGRAMS
KRISHNAMURTHY IYER
DIRECTOR OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
LISA MILLER
DIRECTOR OF FACULTY AND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
JEAN-PHILIPPE RICHARD
CHIEF OF STAFF
TARYN VERLEY
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
207 Church St SE Minneapolis, MN 55455
isye@umn.edu
(612) 624-1582
www.isye.umn.edu
02 02
THE CLASS OF 2026
Learn what the future holds for the class of 2026.
03 03
SENIOR DESIGN & M S CAPSTONE PROJECTS
Every year, ISyE undergraduate and graduate students finalize their degree with a real world project supported by company sponsors. Read about three of these projects
09 09
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS
ISyE undergraduate students inspire others through academic insights, student organizations initiatives and future aspirations.
15 15 AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
The annual Spring Awards Reception celebrated the achievements and accomplishments of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and ISyE partners
20 20
ISYE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
The strength of the department reaches beyond Lind Hall. Meet our Advisory Board members.
21 21
DONOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to all of our donors
THE CLASS OF 2026 THE CLASS OF 2026
Graduation marks more than the completion of a degree it represents the beginning of a new chapter filled with purpose and possibility for what comes next, whether that means launching a career, pursuing graduate studies, or exploring new paths.
As ISyE graduates take the next steps in their journey, their achievements reflect their personal dedication, and we are excited to share how ISyE experiences and connections have helped prepare them to lead, innovate, and make a difference
COMPANY PLACEMENTS COMPANY PLACEMENTS
CAREER PATHS
2025-2026 SENIOR DESIGN & 2025-2026 SENIOR DESIGN & M.S. CAPSTONE PROJECTS M.S. CAPSTONE PROJECTS
Spring 2026 Senior Design Projects
Boston Scientific
“Launch and Production Optimization of New Product Device”
Cargill
“PECAN - Plant Evaluator of Constraints in Animal Nutrition”
Cintas
“Hanger Reuse Program”
Daikin Applied Americas
“Daikin Applied Lab Dashboard Clean Up”
Ergotron
“Production Playbook Optimization”
Landscape Structures
“601 Fabrication”
Pentair Filtration Solutions LLC
“Hollow Fiber Assembly Simio Model Creation and Development”
Professional Instruments Company
“Inventory Tracking and Communication”
Renewal by Andersen
“SAFER – Strategic Aisle Flow & Equipment Reduction”
Stratasys
“AI Assistant: Additive Manufacturing”
Tuffy’s Pet Foods (KLN Family Brands) “Mill Batching Optimization”
Viking Aluminum
“Viking Aluminum Manufacturing Optimization”
West Monroe Partners
“Part Number Standardization Project and Labor Model Analysis”
Become a Senior Design Project Sponsor! Scan the QR Code
or visit z umn edu/Senior Design Sponsor
SENIOR DESIGN & CAPSTONE PROJECTS SENIOR DESIGN & CAPSTONE PROJECTS
SPRING 2026 PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS
A partnership with ISyE makes it possible to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world
Our priority will always be our students, and we understand that economic growth, job creation, recruitment, and innovation are important to our partners and sponsors We know that together we can achieve goals that impact everyone in the ISyE community
Each year, ISyE undergraduate seniors and student in their final semester of the M S Data Science in Operations Research program work in teams alongside a faculty advisor and industry mentor to apply their academic training to solve real-world challenges
Successful projects typically include:
A meaningful challenge with a scope appropriate for a semester-long engagement
Clear potential for measurable value to the sponsoring organization
Opportunities to apply core ISyE methodologies and tools
A focus on system or process design, improvement, or optimization
Successful projects typically include:
A meaningful challenge with a scope appropriate for a semester-long engagement
Potential for measurable value to the sponsoring organization
Sponsors benefit from:
Innovative insights and data-driven solutions from a team of highly motivated undergraduate students
Deliverables including a Statement of Work, project plan, regular updates, a comprehensive final report, and a formal presentation
Access to ISyE faculty expertise and University resources
Opportunities to apply core analytics/data science/operations research methodologies and tools
Access to data sets/data sources that M.S. students can use to drive insights and solutions
Projects must emphasize technical aspects such as statistics, computations, and/or machine learning
Sponsors benefit from:
Innovative insights and data-driven solutions from a team of highly motivated masters students
Deliverables may include a Statement of Work, project plan, regular updates, a comprehensive final report, and a midterm and final formal presentation, as well as software tools (for example, Python scripts, R scripts, GUIs, etc.) with documentation on how to use it
Access to ISyE faculty expertise and University resources
M.S. Capstone Project
DESIGNING IMPROVEMENT
For their Senior Design Project, seniors Allison Albrightson, Thang Do, Mira Patel, Chase Trygestad and Jakob Zeller worked with Viking Aluminum, a Minneapolis-based startup specializing in prefabricated aluminum balconies
The team was tasked with designing an in-house assembly facility within the company’s newly acquired space to improve production efficiency, reduce lead times, and enhance delivery reliability
Before aquiring the new space, Viking Aluminum relied on an out-of-state third-party contract manufacturer who would receive components from suppliers, then assemble the railings and decks before shipping them to Minnesota where the final product would be fully assembled on the job site Because of the reliance on a thirdparty, combined with increasing demand and geographic distance, shipping delays and late penalties, Viking Aluminum decided to fabricate in-house
With the new space serving as a blank slate, the ISyE team utilized the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) framework to help them develop a layout capable of supporting Viking Aluminum’s need for an efficient assembly system
In the ‘Plan’ phase, the team conducted site measurements, identified required equipment and tooling, and defined the key process steps necessary to internalize production To complete
the ‘Do’ phase, the team developed multiple facility layouts using BluBeam Software to build and visualize workflow, material movement and space utilization.
Based on the feedback gathered during the ‘Check’ phase, the team optimized the design that best aligned with operational needs, improved efficience, and was practical for implementation with the given space Once the adjustments were adressed, the team moved to the ‘Act’ phase, which completed the framework
The final main deliverable included a detailed facility floor plan that will be capable of supporting Viking Aluminum’s ultimate production goal of 2,200 balconies by 2027
The ISyE team presented their floor plan to their project sponsors, which included their process, as well as a risk management assessment that addressed found spatial constraints that could protentially limit the effectiveness and clarity of the assemby line design
Ultimately, Viking Aluminum approved of the final floor plan
Project sponsor and Viking Aluminum owner Ben Swenson states, “I can’t say enough good things about the students and their excitement We are grateful for this opportunity to work with them, ISyE and the University of Minnesota ”
MODERNIZING INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
ISyE seniors Luke Brown, Mason Day, Owen Pieper and Pattarapong Santiworarak partnered with project sponsors (and University of Minnesota alum) Sam Arneson and Chris Arneson from Professional Instruments Company, an ultrahigh precision manufacturing company that produces low-volume, high-complexity products located in the Minneapolis area.
Professional Instruments Company has been maintaining inventory using manual pen-andpaper tracking. This current system requires extensive time spent looking for products that have been misplaced or still need to be added to inventory, and it lacks in optimal product ordering and arrival tracking. This system has not only led to an estimated yearly cost of $5,400, but has also led to increased employee stress.
Considering this cost and employee morale impact, as well as the upcoming retirement of key personnel who work to maintain inventory, the company saw this as an opportunity to implement a formal inventory system, and the ISyE team was ready to help
To address Professional Instruments Company’s needs, the ISyE team worked to develop a system using the Plan-Do-Check-Act project management structure
During the ‘Plan’ phase, the team collected data using user interviews, Gemba walkthroughs (observe, engage, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement directly where work
happens) and process mapping.
With the collected data, the team entered the ‘Do’ phase and developed a prototype for the inventory system utilizing human-centered design techniques. This prototype was then tested in the ‘Check’ phase where the team collected data about the prototypes ease of use and critques from various employees.
The prototype was revised three times until the final deliverable was presented as an Excel spreadsheet that tracked shipping and recieving, as well as documented inventory and location. Additionally, the team proposed a secondary sheet that would be printed and displayed on the manufacturing floor to give employees better visability of current inventory and order status.
Gaining valuable experience in system integration and project planning, the team learned the importance of employee input and buy-in, as well as developing a clear scope early on
The ISyE team’s final inventory system will provide great value to Professional Instruments Company It is expected to improve inventory management processes by reducing time spent searching and increasing transparency of order status Overall, this solution will provide a more streamlined, scalable, and efficient approach to inventory management, which supports the company’s long-term operational sustainability, as well as their employees’ morale
IMPROVING PRODUCTION PROCESS WITH PECAN
Cargill is a Minnesota-based company that provides food and agricultural products to customers around the world Working specifically with sponsors from the Animal Nutrition and Health division, ISyE seniors Jack Callinan, Jackson Jaffe, Riley Mills, Hadley Streit and Robert Weber were tasked with creating Plant Evaluator of Constraints in Animal Nutrition (PECAN), a robust and easy-to-use tool for five example animal food processing plants
With higher production costs and successful implementation of lean tools in other divisions of Cargill, PECAN is designed in Excel as a constraints evaluator and functions as a scenariobased simulation system that assists managers in evaluating bottlenecks and assessing the need for capital investment throughout the facility
To begin, the team met with primary stakeholders to gather knowledge and insights to create the tool. Then they completed a capacity and constraints analysis to calculate the utilization of each constraint in the production process. Using the data, the team built the Excel spreadsheet. They then conducted user-testing with plant and production managers to receive feedback on the tool. Using their feedback, the team was able to develop a user-friendly tool that could be easily adopted in various plants.
Ultimately, the team created multiple deliverables
- six corresponding with the tabs on the Excel PECAN tool; one corresponding to a data-loading mechanism that loads each factory’s data; and two that are related to user testing, and a preparation and analysis document
The final deliverable was a formal presentation to stakeholders, as well as upper management at Cargill headquarters in Wayzata, Minnesota Here the team presented the tool, including the product scope and project preparation, as well as a demonstration of how to use the various feature of the tool
The ISyE team explains, “The PECAN tool will be used to evaluate the current and future state of any Animal Nutrition and Health plant If any current assets are over-utilized, managers can generate scenarios to alleviate the bottlenecks with changes such as adding overtime shifts or upgrading machinery In addition, they can utilize scenarios to evaluate the future state of their factory, while allowing them to estimate the impacts of changes like additional demand or different shift schedules.”
Through strong communication channels and team structure, as well as a clear scope and proactive mindset, the team successfully implemented a quality project and deliverables for the Cargill team.
It was a pleasure working with the team. They had an eagerness to work on the tools, and even challenged - in a positive way - the Cargill team, which gave us opportunity to learn from the ISyE students.
- Cargill
SO, WHAT IS ISYE? STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS
Industrial and Systems Engineering is a department rooted in optimization and community, but it is a department many incoming freshman may not be familiar with
What are the questions an incoming freshman might ask a senior about ISyE? In this mock conversation, 2026 graduating senior Paityn Hamus has the answers
Freshman: I’m thinking about majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering, but I honestly don’t really know what it is. Is this a good major for me?
Paityn: I’ll give you the honest answer I wish someone gave me: it depends on how you like to think But let me tell you how I got here
I didn’t even start in engineering I came to the University of Minnesota and started in the College of Liberal Arts with no real plan I just knew I liked science, math, and working with people I also was good at communicating; I had worked several service industry jobs, so talking to people and adapting quickly was something I was already comfortable with, but I had no idea how that translated into a career
So I started exploring I talked to different students, asked questions, and paid attention to how people described their majors What stood out to me about Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) wasn’t just what they studied, but how they thought They approached problems in a structured way, and they also knew how to explain their ideas clearly That combination - problem solving and communicationwas what made me realize ISyE was the right fit
Freshman: So then what actually is ISyE? What do you do?
Paityn: ISyE is about improving systems A system could be a factory, a hospital, a supply chain, or even something as simple as a coffee shop Instead of focusing on just one piece, you learn how everything connects like people, processes, and data, and also how to make it all work better
A lot of what you do involves dealing with uncertainty You use tools like statistics, optimization, and simulation to make decisions, but the reality is that things are rarely clean or predictable
Freshman: What is the best part of studying ISyE?
Paityn: Honestly, the most rewarding part has been seeing how applicable it is to real life One of the classes I took was an introduction to ISyE, and almost every week we had an industry professional from several industries talk to the class about how industrial and system engineering shaped their career Once you start thinking in terms of systems, you can’t really turn it off You start noticing inefficiencies everywhere, like how long lines form, how workflows could be improved, and how small changes could make a big difference
Another big highlight has been group work and communication Unlike some other engineering fields, ISyE constantly forces you to explain your thinking, whether that’s in presentations, reports, or team projects That ended up being a strength for me because of my background in service jobs Being able to clearly explain an idea is just as important as having the right answer
Oh! And the staff and faculty are amazing! There is quite literally nothing they can’t help you with, and if you are having trouble or doubts about your career path, they are always there to listen and give insights if needed
Freshman: What’s been the hardest part?
Paityn: The biggest challenge is that ISyE problems are rarely straightforward. There’s often no single “correct” answer, just better or worse solutions depending on the situations and tradeoffs.
Another challenge is dealing with assumptions. In classes and projects, especially when building models or simulations, you have to make assumptions about how a system works. But in real life, those assumptions aren’t always accurate. Learning how to balance realism with simplicity, and understanding the limitations of your model, takes time.
Something people also don’t talk about enough is variability. Not everything happens at the same speed and not everyone works the same way. Some people are faster and some processes are inconsistent; that variability can completely change outcomes. Learning to account for that was a big shift for me.
Freshman: So, the big question: Should I choose ISyE?
Paityn: If you like solving problems, working with people, and figuring out how things can be betternot just technically, but also practically - then yes, ISyE is a great choice for you!
Photo Credit: University of Minnesota, College of Science and Engineering
THE DRIVE FOR EFFICIENCY
ISyE student ground themselves with a passion for their work and its connection to the greater community. Whether with an assignment, company project or passion project, ISyE students are empowered to make a positive difference and meaningful connections to the parts of their lives that mean the most to them.
Ben Hach is one such student As an ISyE undergraduate student (class of 2027) who is also receiving a minor in Spanish Studies, Hach has always valued his project-based mindset and the connection to applicability and meaning
Born and raised in Chicago, the famous and impressive Chicago skyline greatly impacted Hach’s childhood This impact is originally what led him to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities
“I wanted to major in architecture, and that program is what started my project management mindset However, architecture seemed to be all about the design, and I love and missed the numbers - the math I was also concerned that none of my designs and projects would be applicable,” Hach reflects
After careful consideration, he switched his major to ISyE
“What I love about being in ISyE is that everything is so applicable I can see my results, and be guided by the numbers that give way to an elegant solution I now get to take the STEM elements that I love and combine them with the team project process I learned during my time in architecture I now feel like I am home I love it here!”
Through courses such as Optimization Models and Methods (IE 3011) taught by ISyE professor Jean-Philippe Richard, Hach has found a love for the diverse curriculum that has taught him to develop skills that very clearly come together to be applied to multiple areas.
“Professor Richard is very effective in challenging students, and teaching us how to approach and structure big problems. It is empowering to learn and see these complicated problems be solved so elegantly with clear
Photo Credit: University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project
metrics I have become very confident and empowered because of the knowledge I have acquired ”
Along with the valuable curriculum, Hach remarks that the people within the department share a unique sense of excitement and passion for finding an area of study that many people don’t know about Since a large percentage of students (including Hach) transfer to ISyE from a different major, there is a diverse background of students in the department, and all of these backgrounds are valued
Hach explains, “Being valued in the department empowers us as students to build our own experience and careers ”
For Hach, this empowerment has inspired two valuable opportunities for him – his summer 2026 internship and his place on the University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project team
SUMMER 2026 INTERNSHIP
“Though you may not use everything you learn later on in your area of work, the many different courses ISyE offers will inspire you, and help in narrowing down what you want to do after graduation,” Hach reflects.
Hach, like many ISyE students, is a people-person, and was inspired to enhance those skills because of the human-factors element of ISyE course offerings. As such, he will be interning as a Project Management intern at a fiber optics company based in North Carolina, but housed in Shakopee, Minnesota. Since he is also minoring in Spanish Studies, Hach has a unique opportunity to assist with the company’s Mexico team and the full Global Project Management team.
“I firmly believe people should be comfortable, confident and heard in the business world, and in their personal lives. Empathy drives people to do better, and has allowed me to be so comfortable working with people, especially when applying and explaining technical aspects of the job.”
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SOLAR VEHICLE PROJECT
Beginning in 1990, the University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project has been a staple in the student group community The team builds one car every two years, and races that car once a year in two different races The first is the American Solar Challenge, which takes place this summer The team will start on July 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and complete the race in Amarillo, Texas on August 1 The second race (which will take place summer 2027) is the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia The vehicles in each race are judged on performance longevity and the handling of terrain variations
With over 100 active student members and generous donations and sponsors, the team builds and designs every vehicle from the ground up Students must also source their own budget for attending races, shipping the vehicles to the race locations (nationally and internationally), as well as sourcing software, parts, materials and customized pieces, which require careful planning from a variety of perspectives
“We are basically are our own business We have built relationships with large corporations in the Twin Cities area and beyond such as 3M And with decades of trust and inspiring innovation, the Project puts the University of Minnesota in the world spotlight for sustainability ”
In 2023, the Project was awarded the most competitive solar car in the world
Now assisting with the build and success of the Project’s 16 car, Hach only recently learned of the team when they visited Foundations of Industrial and Systems Engineering (IE 1101) to talk about the group’s initiatives and purpose Valuing sustainability and team projects, Hach joined the Project and, because of his passion for working with people and past experience with the elements of design, he became the Marketing Lead He has since assisted with fundraising initiatives such as leading the Give to the Max Day fundraiser in November 2025, as well as other key initiatives for the team th
“Industrial Engineers are the ‘meeting place’ for other engineers I work with so many different teams within the Solar Vehicle Project, as well as communicate with so many groups and maintain important relationships Whether assisting with elements of human factors, parts, sponsorship and partner collaboration, the Solar Vehicle Project allows me to be a connection in the process of human and machine, and inspire others to support and understand what we are building and who are building it with and for ”
For Hach, the technical skills he has learned in ISyE thus far have provided him with an excellent foundation, but the true value of ISyE has been the people Whether in the classroom or working with the Solar Vehicle Project, he has found the connection, enthusiasm and drive that many students hope to find during the college years
“The friendships I have made and professors I have worked with have been so valuable to all aspects of my academic career By embracing the human aspect of the program and applying it to what I am passionate about, and I get to live ISyE every day ”
Learn
More about the University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project
INNOVATE THROUGH SPONSORSHIP
SNOWBALLING INNOVATION 2027
The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) University of Minnesota student chapter is excited to host the North Central IISE Regional Conference on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis, February 2027. With this year’s theme, Snowballing Innovation, the conference will welcome peer organizations from the 17 top engineering schools in the North Central region for a two-day program of site visits, hands-on workshops, networking, and professional development.
As the conference draws near and specific details come together, IISE is still looking for dedicated sponsors who are ready to snowball their company to the forefront of the region’s brightest emerging talent.
Sponsor and partner with IISE in 2027, and see how Industrial and Systems Engineers can make change happen!
SPONSORSHIP TIERS SPONSORSHIP TIERS
BRONZE SILVER GOLD PLATINUM
Logo on conference t-shirt (small)
Logo on IISE website
Logo on conference martketing materials
Bronze benefits, plus: Company branded swag distribution Invitation to student networking and breakout session Company highlight in welcome packet
Sponsorship is the catalyst that turns this vision into a high-impact experience for everyone involved.
Silver benefits, plus: Plant/Site visit Access to student resumés Social media shoutout
Gold benefits, plus: Headline corporate Keynote session Panelist guest speaker
Connect with the Financial Manager about sponsorship information, the Community Outreach Manager about partnership impacts, and other student chapter officers about the conference.
AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering is proud to recognize its community’s achievements and impacts, which are seen in a variety of ways throughout the academic year and represents the drive and purpose of the department. Students make lasting impacts in the classroom and our communities. Faculty positively impact local, national, and international communities through their research, teaching, and mentorship. And the impact of the partnerships the department has fostered over the years has to made positive contributions that have propelled the department forward.
ISyE prides itself on the rigor of its programs, the strength of its partnerships, and the character of the students and faculty.
Every year, ISyE celebrates individuals who exemplify the very best of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and this year on Friday, April 10, 2026 the department honored and celebrated many of who exemplify the mission and values of the department.
Undergraduate Student Awards Recipients
Dr Alan L Eliason Undergraduate Achievement in ISyE Award
Allison Albrightson
Isaac Chmieleski
Alexander Eich
Joseph Gigliotti
Paityn Hamus
Charley Hatterman
Mira Patel
Cameron Price
Ethan Stone
Robert Weber
ISyE Community Scholarship
Grace Renk
Mira Patel
Mahendra Bakshi - Sant Ram Arora
Memorial Scholarship
INFORMS Fellow
McKnight Presidential Fellow Award & Russ Penrose Excellence in Teaching Award
Dr Nick Arnosti
Reminiscing about time in the classroom is always a point of conversation at the Awards Reception
Undergraduate students and their families talk with ISyE faculty at the reception.
Students, families and ISyE faculty support each other at the reception
and
every year.
Advisory Board members are always a great addition to the reception, and provide students and families the opportunity to network
Faculty
Advisory Board members look forward to the Awards Reception
Graduate students are honored at the Awards Reception
Students are proudly honored and recognized.
MANY THANKS
ISyE Ph.D. student Michael Olabode’s speech presented at the Awards Reception
Thank you for attending today’s event to celebrate with ISyE award recipients My name is Michael Olabode – a fourth year PhD candidate in ISyE –working with Professor Saumya Sinha on Organ Transplantation research Our work revolves around helping the transplant community understand how federal policies affect them Specifically, we evaluate whether new regulations (pre- and post-transplant evaluation of transplant hospitals outcomes) are more effective than the ones previously in place (post-transplant outcomes evaluation) To achieve this, we have successfully developed a stochastic simulation framework that shows that the new regulations outperform the previous on several performance metrics, but are also likely to introduce additional administrative burden
I am really honored to receive the GAGE fellowship to support my Spring semester My journey since I joined the program has been both challenging and rewarding First, thank you to the department for giving me an opportunity to pursue my dream course – as I have always wanted to apply my mathematical skills to solving real world problems The system has unimaginably transformed my approach to problem solving from looking at complex models with no clear understanding of the underlying structure to approaching them with more curiosity and structured thinking
I would also like to thank Professor William Cooper, our former DGS who always followed up with me and is willing to help anytime I also appreciate all the faculty members and staff for their efforts to see that we all succeed and accomplish our goals
Thank you to Professor Sherwin Doroudi (former ISyE professor) who inspired my interest in stochastic processes and queueing theory; to Professor Shuzhong Zhang for his patience while walking me through abstruse concepts; Professor Saif Benjaafar (former ISyE professor and department head), for inviting me to his office and
discussing how I could do better on my exams –experiences that allayed my struggles and ameliorated my confidence. Lastly, to my advisor –Professor Saumya, thank you for creating a great atmosphere for me to conduct research. Your empathy, expertise and experience are admirable and second to none.
To my family and friends, thank you for staying the course with me. I do not take it for granted. To my roommates of over three and a half years – you have been amazing and instrumental to my success.
Once again, I am grateful for the GAGE fellowship –it personally inspires me to do more in terms of contributing to research and the growth of our department.
Thank you all.
IMPACTFUL REFLECTIONS
ISyE Undergraduate student Alexander Eich’s speech presented at the Awards Reception
My name is Alexander Eich, and I am a third-year ISyE student here at the University of Minnesota I want to start off by thanking Dr Alan L Eliason, the selection committee, and the community here today Your support has not only made this college degree possible for me, but has also allowed me to thrive during my time here
Personally, the most impactful part of ISyE is the community College can be overwhelming, and there are a lot of moments when students feel like they are just trying to keep up What has stood out to me about this department is that it does not feel anonymous It feels like a place where people care about students as individuals and genuinely want to see them succeed That kind of support makes a bigger difference than people sometimes realize, and it has absolutely shaped my experience here
One of the things I kept coming back to while writing this speech was how often professors, alumni, and students give back to this department
Throughout my time here, I have had countless mentors who have guided me through classes, campus life, and the early stages of building my career They took the time to connect me with professionals, teach me how to network, and help me build the confidence and skills that have brought me to where I am today
I also think about the alumni, many of whom are in this room, who continue to go above and beyond for ISyE One of the most impactful experiences for me was hearing alumni speak in IE 1101 about the different paths available to Industrial Engineers They showed me that no matter the title, the industry, or the role, Industrial Engineers are ultimately problem solvers, and that opened my eyes to how many possibilities were out there
Our professors have been just as important in shaping that perspective They do far more than teach technical concepts They invest in students as people; they challenge us academically, encourage
us personally, and help us see potential in ourselves that we may not yet recognize And somewhere along the way, they also find time to put puzzles together during office hours, remind us that Belgium is not France, share 1980s baseball trivia, and make sure we always seem to have a three-day weekend
That kind of support, both serious and lighthearted, has made a lasting difference in my experience and is a big part of what makes this department so special
During my time here, I have had the opportunity to serve as Co-President of IISE, Vice President of the Alpine Ski Team, and a mentor to other students in a variety of ways Across all of those experiences, one thing has stayed consistent: I care deeply about leadership, service, and building communities that help people grow
A lot of the work I am most proud of has focused on helping organizations and people succeed together in this community In IISE, that meant helping reorganize our executive board into clearer functional groups, building stronger leadership systems, and creating more accountability and ownership within the team It also meant mentoring other students as they navigated classes, recruiting, internships, and the uncertainty that comes with trying to figure out what comes next For me, leadership has never just been about getting things done It has been about helping other people feel more confident, more supported, and more capable
Receiving this award is incredibly meaningful to me because it reflects values that matter deeply to me: leadership, service, academic commitment, and impact on others At the same time, I do not see this recognition as something I earned alone It reflects the people who have invested in me along the way professors who taught and challenged me, alumni who gave back to students, peers who trusted me to lead l id h d f i d d h d h h i h
Eric Ayenegui
Member Since: 2019
Cintas Corporation Director, Operations Engineering Solutions
Katie Erdmann
Member Since: 2023
Boston Scientific Senior Project Manager
Kyle Stahl
Member Since: 2023
Inspire11 Senior Consultant
Industry and Alumni Board Members
Industry Advisory Board
Bonnie Baumgartner
Member Since: 2023
Daikin Applied Americas Director, Sale Operations
Jeremiah Johnson
Member Since: 2014 Board Chair
Boston Scientific Director, Marketing Strategy & Commercial Excellence
Megan Brosnan
Member Since: 2019
Boston Scientific Associate Director, Process Development
Jeromy Knapp
Member Since: 2023
Stratasys Operations Director
Benjamin Dimond
Member Since: 2023
Delta Airlines Technical Product Owner
Brian Naslund
Member Since: 2019
Collins Aerospace Senior Director, Engineering
Jeffrey T. Zudock
Member Since: 2023
Supply Chain Consultant
Alumni Advisory Board
Audrey Beam
Member Since: 2025
Permasteelisa North America
Assistant Project Manager & Site Manager
Graduation Year: 2022
Akshy Iyengar
Member Since: 2025 Infor Senior Technical Support Analyst
Graduation Year: 2017
Abrham Desta
Member Since: 2025
General Mills Sourcing Manager, Marketing
Graduation Year: 2019
Hannah Joshi
Emma Ehling
Member Since: 2023
West Monroe Partners Senior ConsultantOperations Excellence
Graduation Year: 2020
Kang Kang
Jamie Eichten
Member Since: 2014
Boston Scientific Project Manager
Graduation Year: 2019
Jagmehr Madan
Member Since: 2025
Member Since: 2025
Seagate Senior Industrial Engineer
Graduation Year: 2018
Cassie Mendez
Noah O’Bren
PPD Evidera, Thermo Fisher Scientific Research Associate
Graduation Year: 2022
Member Since: 2023
Peregrine Technologies Development Strategist
Graduation Year: 2022
Claire Palmquist
Member Since: 2023
Recuro Health Manager, Operations Excellence
Graduation Year: 2020
Member Since: 2023
Data Metalcraft Inc Vice President
Graduation Year: 2020
Member Since: 2023
Andersen Corporation Supply Chain Analyst
Graduation Year: 2021
September 2025 - February 2026
$1,000+ “JR”
$500-$999
Boston Scientific
IISE Twin Cities Professional Chapter
$200-$499
Katie Erdmann
Delta Airlines Foundation
Benjamin Dimond
Jeremiah Johnson
Kaleb Jungclaus
Bruce Gregoire
Up to $199
Emma Ehling
Kyle Stahl
Brian Naslund
Raytheon Technologies
Dr. Derek Singh
Teresa Nieszner
Chengwenjian Wang
Cyrus Johnson
Sah Ley Paw
Dr. Swantantra Kachhal
Allison Albrightson
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