Mollie McKee '25 and Emma Grace Woolsey '25, who both graduated with degrees from the College of Engineering, received first and second place respectively in the James W. Barany Student Award for Excellence competition from the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE).

Up to three students are recognized annually during the institute's annual conference, held this year in Atlanta. McKee and Woolsey were the only recipients of this year's award. 

“The Barany Award is the highest honor given to students in industrial and systems engineering and reserved for students who excelled in and out of the classroom,” said Eileen Van Aken, former president of institute and department head of the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech (ISE). “Mollie and Emma Grace are both outstanding representations of our department and university, and we are thrilled to celebrate both of them receiving this award. I have no doubt they will accomplish great things in their careers and beyond.” 

McKee graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in industrial and systems engineering. Additionally, McKee:

  • Received the Don Taylor Senior Leadership Award from the industrial and systems engineering department, given annually to a graduating senior by the department’s advisory board
  • Served as the vice president of professional development for IISE Virginia Tech, as a member of Alpha Pi Mu honor society, as head undergraduate teaching assistant for technical communications, and as a member of ISE Ambassadors 
  • Was a Premier College Intern for the U.S. Air Force Civilian Service​ and a systems engineering intern for Boeing 

McKee now works as an industrial engineer for Boeing in St. Louis. She is grateful she was able to lead IISE Virginia Tech’s professional development team for two years and for the opportunities it provided for connection with peers and industry leaders. 

“VT ISE encouraged me to seek out creative solutions to everyday problems,” McKee said.“I want to give a special shout-out to all of the people in the VT ISE department who encouraged me to dream even bigger and take risks and opportunities that have led me down a path greater than my wildest imagination."

Emma Grace Woolsey
Emma Grace Woolsey received second place in the James W. Barany Award for Excellence. She was named the industrial and systems engineering department's outstanding senior for 2025. Photo courtesy of Emma Grace Woolsey.

Woolsey graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in industrial and systems engineering. Additionally, Woolsey:

  • Received the Robert D. Dryden Outstanding Senior Award from the industrial and systems engineering department 
  • Served as president for the Consulting Group at Virginia Tech, was a section leader in the Marching Virginians, and was a member of the College of Engineering Dean’s Team and Alpha Pi Mu honor society 
  • Was a quality engineering intern for Appian, a project engineering co-op for FedEx, and a supply chain intern for Premier Inc. 

Woolsey now works as a quality engineer with Appian in Arlington. She especially appreciates the foundation of analytical thinking and problem-solving skills provided by the department. 

“I was so honored to win this award from IISE and to have been nominated by the Virginia Tech ISE department for my scholarship and leadership contributions,” Woolsey said. “I am thankful to be recognized by IISE and I hope to stay involved with the institute throughout my career.”

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