Groundbreaking work of several STEM leaders and the potential of the next generation of innovators
The ASME Foundation convened more than 250 industry and community leaders and STEM advocates to celebrate the promise of an empowered engineering workforce at its “Optimism Engineered: Launch the Innovators of Tomorrow” GALA 2025, held May 1 at the Mandarin Oriental, New York. Loni Love, two-time Emmy, two-time NAACP Image and three-time Gracie Award-winning host, comedian, actress, author, philanthropist, and electrical engineer, served as emcee for the evening.
Highlights of the event included three award presentations and several inspirational speakers. Oscar Barton, Jr., Ph.D., dean and professor of the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. School of Engineering at Morgan State University, an ASME Fellow and ASME Foundation board member, presented the 2024 Hoover Medal to the Honorable Aprille J. Ericsson, Ph.D., who recently served as the U.S. assistant secretary of Defense for Science and Technology. Established in 1929 and regarded as one of the highest honors in engineering, the Hoover Medal commemorates the civic and humanitarian achievements of engineers and is “conferred upon an engineer whose professional achievements and personal endeavors have advanced the well-being of humankind.” The medal recipient is selected by a board representing the five leading engineering organizations: ASME; the American Society of Civil Engineers; the American Institute of Chemical Engineers; the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers; and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
Prior to joining the Department of Defense, Ericsson worked for more than 30 years at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in various positions. She is a champion for STEM education and the future workforce. Throughout her career she has served on many academic boards for the National Academies, universities, and K-12 institutions. She has mentored many NASA interns and students, was a college professor and lead advisor for a National Society Black Engineers Jr. Chapter.
Neil Wilmshurst, who recently served as the Electric Power Research Institute’s chief nuclear strategy officer and managing director, EPRI Gulf, presented the ASME Foundation Excellence in Industry Award to Ansys president and CEO Ajei Gopal, Ph.D. Under his leadership, Ansys has expanded its academic programs, offering free simulation software to millions of students and discounted tools to universities worldwide. Gopal champions partnerships that bring real-world engineering experiences to students, such as the F1 in Schools initiative. He also supports inclusion in STEM, promoting mentorship within the tech community. Through these efforts, Gopal insists that Ansys plays a vital role in preparing students with the skills needed for tomorrow’s engineering challenges.
ASME president Susan Ipri-Brown, a strategic initiatives manager at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, presented the ASME Foundation Next Gen Award to Jay Flores, who reaches millions of students each month through his role as a Mystery Guide on Discovery Education’s Mystery Science, the most widely used K-5 science resource in the United States. Flores is also the creator and host of It’s Not Magic, It’s Science!, an innovative brand dedicated to providing equitable access to entertaining STEM experiences. His live science shows, which feature experiments disguised as magic tricks, continue to engage and delight students in classrooms and communities nationwide. By making engineering concepts accessible in both English and Spanish, he aims to motivate the next generation of innovators while supporting bilingual education.
Gala attendees included current and prospective donors of The ASME Foundation to support its philanthropic work. The Foundation funds ASME’s array of high-impact programs in education, workforce development, and innovation aimed at empowering the next generation of engineers.
Ansys was a Changemaker sponsor of this event. Innovator and Accelerator sponsors included Accuris/KKR, Berlin Rosen, Focused Wealth Management, and NVG.
For more information, visit asmefoundation.org.
