Ellen Kullman, Chair of the Board of Directors and CEO of DuPont, was awarded the 2015 Engineering Leader of the Year Award on Monday, February 23 at the Union League of Philadelphia. Over 200 Drexel alumni, benefactors, faculty, students and staff were in attendance.
President Fry opened the event with a warm welcome to Ms. Kullman and a congratulations on her recent induction into the National Academy of Engineers. After dinner, College of Engineering Dean, Joseph Hughes, presented the award to Ms. Kullman. Dean Hughes and Ms. Kullman then proceeded to have a conversation focusing on global industry trends and challenges as well as education as relates to the preparation of students to meet those challenges. Questions were then taken from the audience.
Ms. Kullman had always expressed an interest in meeting and talking with Drexel students. After the program ended, Ms. Kullman extended her evening to meet with twenty College of Engineering students at a private reception, answering their questions that ranged from “What’s it like to be a CEO?” to “How do you balance your life with work?” All were impressed by how amicable and approachable she was. “She even cracked a few jokes,” said Quinten Johnson, a current LeBow student engaged in a co-op at the College of Engineering.
“Ellen Kullman’s leadership at one of the most innovative companies in the U.S. is visionary and transformative,” said Hughes. “It is an honor for the University and for the College of Engineering to have Ellen accept this award.”