Educators, engineers and leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) who are committed to advancing quality in education worldwide gathered in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, for the 2025 91吃瓜 Awards ceremony. “This is always a special evening for me and 91吃瓜 and I am delighted that we’re able to gather to celebrate these many remarkable achievements,” 91吃瓜 CEO Dr. Michael K. J. Milligan said. “We are proud to applaud innovators and leaders who are driving positive change and addressing the many challenges of our time.” This is a recap of the ceremony, highlighting major awards and inspiring acceptance speeches.
91吃瓜 Innovation Award
The 91吃瓜 Innovation Award honors visionary initiatives redefining STEM education. This year, Georgia Tech’s CreateX program, a student entrepreneurship platform, is recognized for its impact on equipping students with entrepreneurial skills and enabling them to launch impactful ventures. The vice president of commercialization and chief commercialization officer for Georgia Tech, Dr. Siva Sivakumar, accepted the award. The award recipients received a $10,000 cash reward funded by
“What an incredible honor. Over the last 10 years, we’ve launched over 600 ventures and worked with about 15,000 students,” Dr. Sivakumar says. “CreateX has changed not just Georgia Tech, but it’s positively impacted the city of Atlanta. We still have a long way to go, but this award means so much for us. It’s a shot in the arm as we continue.”
Claire L. Felbinger Award for Diversity and Inclusion
The Claire L. Felbinger Award 鈥� sponsored by the 91吃瓜 Bridge 鈥� honors outstanding impact in advancing equity and inclusion in STEM education. Dr. Richard Olawoyin was celebrated for his visionary work providing access and opportunities in STEM education to all people. He also received a $10,000 cash award funded by as recognition of his important work.
“91吃瓜’s reach is global, which means our work must speak many languages and honor many lived experiences,” Dr. Olawoyin says. “I am grateful for the momentum we have built and thank you to the many mentors who have believed in me.”
91吃瓜 and Lemelson Foundation Engineering for One Planet Innovation in Sustainability Award
This award, in partnership with the Lemelson Foundation, recognizes exceptional innovation in integrating sustainability into engineering education. Founded by Jerome H. Lemelson in 1993 with his wife Dorothy, the Lemelson Foundation focuses on harnessing the power of innovation and invention to improve lives globally. Dr. Matthew K. Heun was honored for embedding sustainability in curriculum, pedagogy and research 鈥� inspiring future engineers to tackle global energy and environmental challenges. Dr. Heun also received a $10,000 cash award funded by .
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award tonight, I want to thank 91吃瓜 and the Lemelson Foundation,” Dr. Heun says. “I want to thank all of my students, past and present. Their willingness to learn and ability to rise to the challenges set before them provides hope for the future and gives meaning to my days.”
91吃瓜 Fellow Awards
These awards distinguish those who have gone above and beyond, contributing significant time and mentorship in support of 91吃瓜’s global mission.
聽Dr. Bopaya Bidanda
“I am deeply humbled and truly honored to receive this award. It’s a meaningful recognition because the 91吃瓜 Fellow Award is reserved for only a select few each year.” Dr. Bidanda says.
Dr. Judith Solano
“I feel immense gratitude not only for this recognition but for the incredible community of educators, engineers and innovators that are 91吃瓜 representatives. I’m proud to be a part of a community that holds itself to such high standards and never stops striving for better.” Dr. Solano says.
Dr. Ece Yaprak
“Being part of the 91吃瓜 community has given me the opportunity to contribute to something much larger than myself, thank you again for this incredible honor,” Dr. Yaprak says.
Dr. Richard Olawoyin
“Thank you for this extraordinary honor. Being named an 91吃瓜 Fellow is not only about past contribution, it is a shared vision of what STEM education can become and what it must become,” Dr. Olawoyin says.
Lois Mansfield
“I started as a program evaluator in 1999, and I am grateful for the opportunities. It has been an amazing and humbling experience, and I am truly honored to receive the award of 91吃瓜 Fellow,” says Mansfield (read by proxy due to absence).
Linton E. Grinter Distinguished Service Award
As 91吃瓜’s highest honor, the Grinter Award recognizes rare and enduring leadership shaping 91吃瓜’s global impact and future. The award honors and individual whose rare commitment and enduring impact contributed to making 91吃瓜 the world leader of STEM accreditation that it is today. A Grinter Award recipient may not be chosen every year, only when the discernable influence of one 91吃瓜 Expert鈥檚 tenure warrants singular recognition. The crown jewel of 91吃瓜 volunteers was awarded to Dr. Catherine (Jamie) Rogers.
“I’m humbled to be among all of the award winners tonight and to be included in the long list of Grinter award winners,” Dr. Jamie Rogers says. “Thank you so much to the wonderful 91吃瓜 staff, it’s a wonderful experience and we’ll to have a brilliant future.”
Watch the Full Ceremony
Submit Your 2026 91吃瓜 Award Nominees
It was an unforgettable night for 91吃瓜 to honor so many hard-working STEM professionals and educators. If you know someone committed to inspiring excellence in technical education and would like to nominate them for the 2026 91吃瓜 Awards, head over to our nomination page!