Golden Torch Award Essay Example for Free

friendly blowlamp mete out turn upCompanies have been striving to be the best in their respective landing field of serve and products. Continuous improvement on the part of the management and commitment on the part of the employees is precise important to stay matched especiall(a)y in the ever-growing market of society. It is non thus surprising that companies strive to earn distinguishing marks of rightness such as world-class awards. One of the most prestigious awards that nominate be received is the princely Torch show.Unlike all other awards, the Golden Torch demo stands out from the rest because it is not only an award of excellence but as well as of justice and fairness on how the company treats employees regarding their race. purport and Background The issue Society of Black Engineers, famously known as NSBE, initiated the Golden Torch Awards in the twelvemonth 1997. However, no exact date is available as to when the first Golden Torch Awards has been h eld. The NSBE is a preeminent plaque that seeks to serve blacks in the fields of design and applied learning (2008 GTA Winners).The organization was pioneered by students of Purdue University in 1971. As the campus student organization flourished in Purdue, the charter members encouraged and coordinated with dissimilar universities throughout the orbit offering engineer courses. Thus, in 1975, the organization became national with over 30 school chapter organizations. The groups well-known torch symbol represents the members everlasting and burning desire to achieve the advantage in a competitive society resulting to a positive effect on the quality of liveness for people from all walks of life.The organization seeks to make an impact on society and the world by the accomplishments and contributions of its members to engineering, technology and even in the academe (NSBE Mission). The Golden Torch Award is just one of the many activities that the NSBE has imparted to the soc iety. The say award wishes to recognize brilliance among African-American engineers, scientists and technologists, including organizations that have exhibited a commitment to the recruitment, retention and promotion of minorities (Siebels, 2004, p. 329).It honors different companies, institutions and individual persons who enhance their professions and the world with outstanding intelligence, competent talent and vibrant vision at the homogeneous time serving as role models for everyone in advancing opportunities for African-Americans (DiScipio). Furthermore, the award links accomplishments of its awardees with the dreams of college-bound students. The Golden Torch Award is bestowed every year on the annual convention of NSBE, which seeks to raise scholarship funds for deserving high school students (2008 GTA Winners). Award CriteriaThe mission of NSBE is to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and impact the community positively (NSBE Mission). It is thus understandable that the Golden Torch Award is designed to highlight the achievements of distinguished black engineers and technical professionals together with incoming college students (US Navy). Golden Torch Awardees are usually chosen by scrutinizing resumes, professional achievements, community service and other criteria depending on the type of mob of the award.A team of judges consisting of professional and academic leaders both in the field of science and engineering selects the winners of the award (Black Engineers). There are no specific criteria available for the award. Additionally, it will be very arduous to do so since the Golden Torch Award is but a general border for numerous awards varying in category. Nevertheless, the objectives of the NSBE can be a great estimation of the factors that determine the qualifications for awardees.The NSBE has fiver objectives to undertake. First is to motivate and develop student in terests in the various engineering disciplines. The organizations minute objective is to make a great effort in amplifying the number of nonage students learning engineering at undergraduate and graduate levels. The third is to tender assistance to members searching for advanced degrees in the field of engineering or its related fields and obtaining professional engineering registrations.Fourth is promoting public awareness of engineering and the opportunities for minorities in their respective professions. Fifth is to act as ambassadors regarding issues and innovations that may affect careers of black engineers (NSBE Mission). These different objectives of the organization are met in one way or another in the criteria used for judging of Golden Torch Award winners. Awards habituated are numerous and have different titles.In the year 2000, the awards given are theme Chairs Award for lead in Technology, decision maker Leader of the family, doing Award, lifespan Achievement in Academia, spirit Achievement in Government, Lifetime Achievement in Industry, initiate of the division, Outstanding Woman in Technology, Mike Shins stately Fellow of the Year, Distinguished Engineer, change Leadership in Industry, Diversity Leadership in Government, incorporated Community Service, Corporate/Education Partnership, Executive Directors Award for Advancing Diversity, Pre-College Community Service, High School of the Year, Pre-College Program of the Year, Pre-College Student of the Year, pedantic Visionary, Graduate Student of the Year, Minority engineering science Program Director, Pre-College Initiative Program of the Year, Chapter of the Year, Technologist of the Year and ingredient of the Year (Black Engineers). Additional awards given this 2008 include Janice A. Lumpkin Educator of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and Corporate Diversity Leadership Award (2008 GTA Winners). Benefits of the AwardAlthough there are no tangible benefits that the Golden Torch Award can offer, it still speaks of the prestige that its awardees can possess. The honor and the promotion somehow provide the awardees company popularity and quality trust that customers and consumers seek out. The said award becomes a showcase of the high standards that a company achieves throughout its existence. It also brings about the respect and gives the image that the company not only offers quality service but also social responsibility. It can speak of the capable and proficient workforce a great deal may have. As a liaison officer of the US Navy commented, the bestowal of the award can be a great opportunity to acknowledge professionalism (US Navy).Receiving the award, companies and individuals can also avail of the different programs that the NSBE offers such as academic excellence programs, scholarships, leadership trainings, professional development and career opportunities in the field of engineering and technology (NSBE Mission). Nevertheless, to work out furth er a bit, the award has its disadvantage too. Since the NSBE is a group that uplifts racial equality, radical groups that favor racial discrimination may condemn the awardees or the companies. Terrorist groups may instill fear to people that support such groups. Moreover, this threat is not utterly dangerous as long as the companies and organizations have appropriate warranter measures at hand. Past Winners of the Award Winners of the Golden Torch Award have been credited for their outstanding mental process and significant contributions in the field of engineering and technology.One example is United Technologies Corp. (UTC), which is the 2005 Corporate Diversity Leadership. The corporation was appreciated for its professional achievements and commitment to diversity initiatives (DiScipio). UTC works for force diversity, education and community outreach to minority groups. Competently, the company is a dealer of a wide range of high technology products and support services to aer ospace and building systems industries. Other past individual winners are Alan Gilkes, Sandra Baylor and Dawn Robinson. Alan Gilkes was awarded Distinguished Engineer of the Year in 2000 for his invention of an electronic Braille display device.Sandra Baylor was winner of the Lifetime Achievement in Industry Award, having seven patents whereas Dawn Robinson, a product manager, is the recipient of the Outstanding Woman in Technology Award (Black Engineers). This years award list is as follows Woodrow Whitlow Jr. , Distinguished Engineer of the Year Rickey J. Shyne, Lifetime Achievement in Government Juan E. Gilbert, Pioneer of the Year Celia D. A. Earle, Outstanding Woman in Technology Arthur L. George, Lifetime Achievement in Industry Lorraine N. Fleming, Janice A. Lumpkin Educator of the Year Cheryle L. Peters, Minority Engineering Program Director of the Year Jonathan D. Madison, Graduate Student of the Year Michael A. Thompson, Pre-College Initiative Student of the Year(Male) Ka thryn M.Daniels, Pre-College Initiative Student of the Year(Female) Pre-Freshman Program in Engineering and Science, Chicago State University, Pre-College Program of the Year Benedict Lazare, Entrepreneur of the Year Dow Promise Program, The Dow Chemical Company, Corporate Community Service UNCF-Merck Initiative, Merck Co. , Inc. , Corporate/Education Partnership Texas Instruments Incorporated, Corporate Diversity Leadership Akibi Archer, Mike Shinn Distinguished Member of the Year(Male) Wanda Eugene, Mike Shinn Distinguished Member of the Year(Female) Barbara Michelle Nichols, Alumni Extension Member of the Year and, Edward Tunstel, Alumni Extension Technologist of the Year (2008 GTA Winners). The awardees surely received the honor due to their innovative contributions and achievements. ConclusionIn essence, the Golden Torch Award is an excellence in leadership and quality award. Taking this into consideration, a nomination of the Lockheed Martin Corp. is not a crowing idea. Lock heed Martin is a leading international defense contractor that operates on aeronautics, electronics and information technology services as well as space and strategic missiles thus employing a large number of work forces from all over the world. The diversity and quality assurance that the company brings to its customers and employees is worthy of a Golden Torch Award by the NSBE. It would not be a long time before the company is acknowledged for its contributions in the field of defense technology.References DiScipio, J.United Technologies Corporation. (2004, December 14). Society of Black Engineers honors UTC for Diversity Leadership. Retrieved May 8, 2008, from http//utc. com/press/releases/2004-12-14. htm. National Society of Black Engineers. (2008, March 3). 2008 GTA Winners Top Engineers, Corporate Supporters win NSBE Golden Torch Honors. Retrieved May 8, 2008, from http//national. nsbe. org/Default. aspx? tabid=138. National Society of Black Engineers. (2000, March 10). Black Engineers are Recognized for their Contributions, Winners Exemplify the Importance of Mentors. Retrieved May 11, 2008, from http//www. nsbe. org/downloads/pr/press/gta00. pdf.