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2009 BU grad receives national industrial engineering award

Bradley alumna Jacquelyn Kimmel has been named the first-place recipient of the 2010 Institute of Industrial Engineers’ Student Award for Excellence. The award will presented June 7 in Cancun, Mexico.

Kimmel graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering and minors in applied ergonomics, quality engineering, and business administration. She is the fifth Bradley alumnus to receive first place for this national award. Six Bradley alumni have received second place, and two have received third place.

Dr. Joseph Emanuel, industrial engineering professor and associate dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, nominated Kimmel for the award. He cited her academic achievement, solid work experience, involvement in professional engineering organizations, and leadership and participation in a wide range of campus activities.

“Winning this award means Jackie is the top IE senior in the nation’s class of 2009,” Emanuel says.

Kimmel had 10 job offers last year as she approached graduation. She chose to work for West Monroe Partners, an international business and technology consulting firm headquartered in Chicago.

“I could not have chosen a better school,” Kimmel said about Bradley. “The faculty truly cares about their students. With my advisor, Dr. Emanuel, I never needed an appointment. I knew I could always pop in and ask him for academic and career advice, or even just talk about Bradley athletics.

“The professors really want you to succeed, whether it’s helping you understand a concept or using their connections to help their students get internships and jobs.”

Kimmel remembers the day she stopped by Emanuel’s office, and he mentioned an alum was in town from Arizona. By the end of the day, she had an interview with the alum for a summer internship. By the end of the week, she had an offer with Raytheon Missile Systems.

Kimmel received many awards during her college career, including being named the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate. One graduating senior from each bachelor’s degree-granting institution of higher learning receives the honor. Like the IIE award, recipients of this award are recognized for active participation in a wide range of campus, professional, and academic endeavors.

Kimmel believes industrial engineering is her life’s calling. “Industrial engineering is for those who like working with people. It is the perfect combination of engineering and business. It allows you to see the overall big picture, instead of just individual details.

“Most importantly, it is a major that gives you endless opportunities. Almost every industry needs industrial engineers, from hospitals to theme parks, restaurants to defense contractors. With this major, the biggest problem isn’t finding something to do—it’s figuring out what you want to do.”