Engineering Professor Alok K. Verma Wins Humanitarian Award
April 12, 2019
Alok K. Verma
Alok K. Verma, a professor of engineering technology in Old Dominion University's Batten College of Engineering & Technology, recently won the Humanitarian Award from the Tidewater Chapter of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC).
The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to the promotion of respect and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Verma received the award at the organization's 55th annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner on March 28.
Verma has served on boards of several nonprofit organizations in Hampton Roads, including the Norfolk Sister City Association, the World Affairs Council and Asian Indians of Hampton Roads. Verma served for three terms as president of Asian Indians of Hampton Roads and is currently chair of public relations.
Verma is a licensed professional engineer in Virginia and a certified manufacturing engineer and has certifications in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma. He has organized several international conferences and serves as associate editor for three International Journals. His scholarly publications include more than 87 journal articles and papers in conference proceedings and more than 50 technical reports.
He is well known internationally and has been invited to deliver keynote addresses and papers at more than 12 national and international conferences. Verma has received the Regional Alumni Award for Excellence for contribution to lean manufacturing research, ODU's International Education Award and the Ben Sparks Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). He is active in ASME, the American Society for Engineering Education, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Institute of Industrial Engineers.
"It was such an honor to serve with Dr. Verma some years ago on the University Faculty Diversity Task Force and benefit from his understanding and commitment to diversity and inclusion," said Annette Finley-Croswhite, a VCIC Tidewater Chapter board member and ODU colleague. "It was even more rewarding to see him accept his award in recognition of his stellar contributions to promoting inclusivity at Old Dominion University, in the Tidewater community, the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond."
