April 23, 2026 IISE chapter honors emerging leaders Written By: Jane Feller Departments: Industrial & Systems Engineering Categories: Awards|Students|Undergraduate On Friday, April 10, the University of Wisconsin-Madison chapter of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) hosted its semi-annual banquet to recognize students who achieved “Distinguished Member” (DM) status. This honor celebrates students who demonstrate exceptional engagement and a commitment to their own development as future engineers. The Distinguished Member program serves as a framework for undergraduate involvement, requiring students to earn merit points across five core pillars: Professional Development and Technical Workshops Community Outreach and Service Fundraising and Organizational Support National IISE Engagement Chapter Leadership For students, the DM designation offers more than just a resume credential; it provides exclusive access to an extensive alumni and recruiter directory, bridging the gap between classroom theory and industry application. For many, this status serves as a pipeline to the chapter’s Executive Board, fostering the leadership skills essential for managing complex systems in the workforce. The evening was emceed by Chapter Vice President Rebecca Thornton and featured a keynote address from Dr. Amanda Smith, Associate Chair for Undergraduate Affairs for the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Associate Teaching Professor, and Interim Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs for the UW-Madison College of Engineering. Dr. Amanda Smith addresses students at the IISE DM banquet. As a three-time alumna of the department with an expansive career spanning private industry, the federal government, and academia, Dr. Smith offered a unique perspective on the long-term value of the IISE network. She commended the honorees for their proactive engagement, encouraging them to maintain a growth mindset by “saying yes to the people and opportunities that matter.” In addition to the general Distinguished Member cohort, the chapter recognized four individuals who demonstrated unparalleled dedication in specific categories: Most Distinguished Member: Gavin Nordstrom (Highest overall engagement) Outstanding Freshman: Becca Gosset Educational Investment Award: Max Gigante Corporate Engagement Award: Gizem Tokgoz The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering extends its congratulations to all honorees. Their dedication to the IISE community reinforces the Badger Engineer tradition of excellence and leadership. [View the full list of honorees here.] Main photo: Students of the UW-Madison Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the semi-annual IISE Distinguished Member Banquet.