Thole received the Distinguished Alumni Award from MechSE Illinois in 2013 and is a current member of the department’s alumni board.
“It is an honor to receive this recognition but would like to acknowledge all those who work to promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields,” Thole said. “I’m grateful to receive ABET’s Claire L. Felbinger Award, which is named in honor of someone who made important and lasting impacts in promoting diversity. I want to especially thank my fellow mechanical engineering department heads from peer institutions who nominated me for this award and who also work collaboratively in our efforts to create welcoming climates to diverse groups.”
ABET is a professional accreditation agency in applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology education. The Claire L. Felbinger Award for Diversity recognizes “extraordinary success in achieving or facilitating diversity and inclusiveness in the technological segments of our society.”