The SME Albert M. Sargent Progress Award is part of the International Honor Awards, and recognizes significant accomplishments in the field of manufacturing processes, methods or systems.

Nomination Eligibility & Requirements

• Nominations can be submitted for both U.S. and international citizens.
• Nominees must have made significant contributions to the field of manufacturing.

To submit an International Honor Award nomination:

• Download the nomination form (MS WORD)
• Verify that the nominee meets all of the outlined eligibility requirements.
• Include three (3) letters of recommendation, preferably on letterhead; one letter should be submitted by the nominator, which briefly highlights the accomplishments of the nominee. Note: Self-nominations and/or submissions will not be accepted.
• Submit, as thoroughly as possible, supporting information (publications, innovations, patents) on the nomination form.

Send completed nomination form(s) and recommendation letters no later than Aug. 1 of each year to: 

SME International Awards & Recognition Committee 
c/o Executive Offices 
SME 
1000 Town Center, Suite 1910, Southfield, MI 48075
Fax: 313.425.3406 | Email: nominations@sme.org

Recent Award Winner

Seog-Chan Oh, PhD

Seog-Chan Oh, PhD, PE, is a Staff Researcher at General Motors Research and Development and an Adjunct Professor at Sungkyunkwan University. He earned his PhD from The Pennsylvania State University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Industrial and Systems Engineering. He specializes in optimization, simulation, AI/ML-driven system design, reinforcement learning, workforce optimization, sustainable manufacturing, and factory-scale throughput improvement. His work spans generative design for manufacturing systems, and matrix manufacturing concepts such as Vehicle-as-a-Conveyor (VaaC). SME Member since 2022

2026 International Honor Awards Recipients Press Release

SME Albert M. Sargent Progress Award Recipients (1955 to present)

Agapiou, John S. (2019)
Altintas, Yusuf, PhD, FSME (2012)
Beaman, Joseph J., SCd (2016)
Bear, Susan (2025)
Bourell, David L., PhD (2017)
Brandt, William E. (1974)
Braun, Alfred (1971)
Breech, Ernest R. (1955)
Brown, Robert H. (1982)
Chowdhury, Subir, FSME (2023)
Colbert, Lester L. (1958)
Conrad, John R. (1972)
Cordiner, Ralph J. (1960)
Cruze, Deane D. (1993)
Daley Jr., R.L. “Frank” (1977)
Davis, Michael W. (1985)
Delp, George C. (1964)
Devries, Warren R., PhD, FSME (2006)
Dykstra, John (1962)
Engelberger, Joseph F. (1979)*
Estler, W. Tyler, PhD (2011)
Fang, Fengzhou, PhD, FSME (2015)
Flinchbaugh, David, PhD, FSME (2002)

Gillespie, Laroux K., FSME, CMfgE, PE (1984)
Goodman, J.E. (1966)
Grear, Robert D. (1995)
Guo, Yuebin, PhD, FSME (2022)
Haas, Gene (2000)
Ham, Inyong, PhD (1990)
Hill, Fred L.L. (1965)
Huang, Yong, PhD (2024)
Hull, Charles (1997)
Humenik Jr., Michael (1980)
Iacoe, William F. (1989)
Jeswiet, Jacob, PhD, FSME, PE (2018)
Kurfess, Thomas R., PhD, FSME (2021)
Ovane, Francisco (2003)
Kerr, William A. (1992)
Kindelberger, James H. (1956)
Knudsen, Semon E. (1970)
Komanduri, Ranga, PhD, FSME (2004)
Kruth, Jean-Pierre, PhD, FSME (2014)
Lapwing, Leo J. (1981)
Letourneau, Robert G. (1961)
Lindsay, Richard P., PhD (1987)

Love, George (1967)
Manoogian, John A. (1991)
McCurtry, David (1986)
Morley, Richard E., FSME (1994)*
Naumann, William L. (1973)
Nussey, Ian D., PhD (1988)
Oh, Seog-Chan, PhD, PE (2026)
O’Sullivan, Seamus (1999)
Oxford Jr., Carl J. (1978)
Price, Gwilym A. (1963)
Romney, George (1959)
Ruud, Ralph H. (1968)
Shpitalni, Moshe, DSc, FSME (2013)
Suri, Rajan, PhD, FSME (2005)
Taguchi, Genichi, PhD (1998)
Ulsoy, A. Galip, PhD, FSME (2007)
Vickers, Harry F. (1957)
Warnecke, Hans J., Dr.-Ing., FSME (1983)
Welch, Albert F. (1975)
Wilson, Richard K., PhD (1969)
Wilson, Robert C. (1976)
Zimmerman, Myron (2001)

*Deceased