NEW YORK, Oct. 2, 2008 -- Klod Kokini, Ph.D., a resident of Lafayette, Ind., and associate dean of engineering for academic affairs at Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind.), will be honored by ASME.  He is being recognized for an unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusiveness, as evidenced in academic work and affiliations with professional associates, which has had a transformative impact on the discipline of engineering.  He will receive the ASME Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. Medal.

The medal was established by the Board on Diversity and Outreach in 2004 through the generous contributions of individual members and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.  Initially bestowed in 2005, it recognizes outstanding contribution toward developing and implementing practices, processes and programs that value and strategically manage diversity and inclusiveness.  The medal will be presented to Dr. Kokini during ASME’s 2008 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, which is being held in Boston, Oct. 31 through Nov. 6.

Kokini is a professor of mechanical engineering and associate dean for academic affairs at Purdue University.  He joined Purdue as an assistant professor in 1985 and became professor of mechanical engineering in 1994.  He was given a courtesy appointment in materials engineering and biomedical engineering in 1996 and 2000, respectively.

His research activities include failure mechanisms and micromechanical design of high-temperature materials such as monolithic and functionally graded ceramic thermal barrier coatings.

As assistant dean for strategic initiatives (2001-04) Kokini was responsible for programs across engineering aimed at improving the climate and diversity for faculty and students.  Since 2004, as associate dean for academic affairs, his responsibilities have included faculty and staff affairs, including hiring and retention, promotion and tenure, awards, retirement, climate and diversity, and dual career issues.  He has been involved in the implementation of diversity workshops for faculty, staff and students.  During his tenure the number of women on the faculty has increased from 9.5 percent to 13.7 percent, and the underrepresented minority faculty has increased from 2.1 percent to 6.1 percent.

Kokini has authored/co-authored 70 archival publications and 45 conference papers.  He holds three U.S. patents.

A Fellow of ASME, Kokini is a member of the Nominating Committee (2007-09).  He served as a member of the ASME Board of Diversity and Outreach (2003-05) and was chair of the Materials Division’s Ceramics Committee (1995-97).

Kokini is the first male recipient of Purdue University’s Violet Haas Award (2007) for contributions to women.  He also received the Dreamer Award (2005) a Purdue diversity award named in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Kokini received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Bogazici University (Istanbul, Turkey), formerly Robert College, in 1976.  He earned his master’s degree and his Ph.D. at Syracuse University, New York, in 1978 and 1982, respectively.

Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences.  ASME develops codes and standards that enhance public safety, and provides lifelong learning and technical exchange opportunities benefiting the global engineering and technology community.

-#-