LECTURE TITLE: "Rethinking IE: Thinking Differently About an Old Problem and Alan Pritsker’s Influence"

ABSTRACT
As industrial engineering (IE) broadened and evolved from its origins in nineteenth-century manufacturing, it never achieved a focused sense of identity or direction. Many view IE as simply a wide-ranging collection of miscellaneous specialties, rather than a discipline with a central core. This is both a problem and an opportunity. Although it presents an indistinct image to prospective students, recruiters, and even colleagues, IE preserves the flexibility to adapt in a rapidly changing world. Dr. Solberg came to IE from an undergraduate degree in math, worked in the field for over fifty years, and has been away from it for thirteen-plus years. From that long-term perspective - both close-up and from a distance - he will offer his views on the future of the discipline. Or (spoiler alert!), maybe he will just deliver a fun surprise, based on some math discoveries he's made since retiring. You might want to bring a smart phone or calculator.

BIO
James J. Solberg is the Ransburg Professor Emeritus of Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering at Purdue University, where he served on the faculty for 45 years. He did his undergraduate work at Harvard University, and his graduate work at the University of Michigan. As Director and Principal Investigator of the National Science Foundation (NSF)  Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) for Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (1985-1994) and Collaborative Manufacturing (1994-1999) at Purdue University, Dr. Solberg managed a cross-disciplinary program in research, education, and technology transfer involving some 75 companies, 60 professors and 1200 students. Dr. Solberg was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1989. He has served on several commissions and boards of the National Research Council (NRC), advisory councils for the NSF and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), and various university programs. Dr. Solberg has authored over 100 published papers and six books, and contributed to nine other books.

The Alan B. Pritsker Scholars Distinguished Lecture Series is presented by the Purdue School of Industrial Engineering. It is named for the late Alan B. Pritsker, who made major contributions to industrial engineering, particularly in the area of computer simulation. The lecture series reinforces Pritsker's legacy at Purdue and in the field of industrial engineering. As a leader in simulation, Pritsker was pivotal in building the School of Industrial Engineering's reputation, helping it to become a frontrunner in research and thought leadership. Pritsker was on the Purdue faculty from 1970-1998. In 1973 he co-founded Pritsker & Associates to use computer simulation technologies to solve problems in industry and government. In 1989 Pritsker & Associates and FACTROL merged to form the Pritsker Corporation.

Related events:

1:15-2:30 PM - The IE Graduate Student Organization (IEGSO) Research Symposium will precede the Pritsker Lecture in the Grissom Hall Peter Wang Student Excellence Center.

4:30-5:00 PM - A Pritsker Reception will take place in the Grissom Hall Student Excellence Center.