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Gwendolyn Boyd, former president of Alabama State University and engineer at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, was recently honored by the engineering community for her exceptional service.
She was presented with the Fitzroy Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) at a gala event held on April 27. The Fitzroy Medal, established in 2011, acknowledges groundbreaking contributions to engineering that have resulted in significant advancements in existing technology.
ASME Executive Director/CEO Tom Costabile commended Dr. Boyd's extraordinary efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in technical fields, which are shaping the future of engineering.
"Dr. Boyd exemplifies the highest standards in engineering achievement," said Costabile. "Her extraordinary advocacy for increased diversity and inclusion in technical fields is reshaping the future of engineering."
Boyd is a renowned mechanical engineer and a widely respected advocate of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. During her more than three decades at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL), she was a leader in developing and operating critical national security systems. She served on and later chaired the university's Diversity Leadership Council.
After leaving JHUAPL, she was named the first woman president of Alabama State University, where she graduated summa cum laude. Boyd was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate to be a trustee of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation in 2009.
The award presentation was the centerpiece of the ASME Foundation's "Reinventing the Future" event. Maryland's Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, who previously worked as a transportation engineer for local governments in California, Virginia, and Hawaii, spoke about how she "fell in love with engineering." Event sponsors included donors to the Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd Endowed Scholarship Fund for Equity in Engineering.
Rev. Boyd was appointed as the president and chair of the Career Communications Group Alumni Committee in April 2017. In this position, she was responsible for overseeing all program events and managing the day-to-day activities of the committee.
Career Communications Group, Inc. (CCG) is the publisher of US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine and producer of the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) STEM Conference. Additionally, CCG publishes Women of Color magazine and organizes the Women of Color (WOC) in Science, Technology Engineering, and Math (STEM) Conference.
Rev. Boyd has been actively involved in the CCG Alumni network since receiving the 1996 Black Engineer of the Year Community Service Award. Every year, she participates in events that feature past award winners from BEYA and WOC STEM conferences. These events provide opportunities for young people in high school and college to learn about STEM careers from role models and benefit from mentoring. In recognition of her contributions, Rev. Boyd was inducted into CCG's Hall of Fame in 2012.