Each year the Gallogly College of Engineering presents the William J. Kennedy Leadership Award to outstanding student leaders. The cash award of $3500 recognizes two seniors (fourth-year or fifth-year) for exemplary leadership and service within the Gallogly College. The award was established in 2015 by OU alumnus William J. Kennedy to recognize excellence in leadership and to honor General Jerry Holmes.
William J. Kennedy earned a BS in mechanical engineering degree with distinction from OU and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. He was named a ‘Distinguished Graduate’ of the college in 2000 and is the former president and CEO of three industrial product manufacturing companies.
Candidates are nominated by at least two of their fellow students, ensuring that this award recognizes leaders that other students want to follow. The nomination form opens in February.
The 2024 Kennedy Leadership Award winners were Natalie Norton, biomedical engineering, and Nick Khor, aerospace engineering.
Natalie Norton graduated in May 2024 with a BS in Biomedical Engineering and was honored as the Outstanding Senior for the Gallogly College of Engineering. A Holmes Leadership Associate, she twice served as chair of JHLP’s Student Advisory Board. Natalie’s exemplary leadership within the college and university includes work with the Women in Engineering Program and the Biomedical Engineering Society, and mentorship of first-year students through the engineering Dean’s Leadership Council and the President’s Leadership Class. Natalie will continue her studies at OU, pursuing a master’s degree in biomedical engineering.
Nick Khor graduated in May 2024 with a BS in Aerospace Engineering. He revived two student organizations, the OU chapters of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and Sigma Gamma Tau, and served as president of both. Nick organized an AIAA conference and helped facilitate the recent Boeing campus tours for engineering students. He has also held the position of Project Manager for the Design, Build, Fly Team for several years. Nick will continue his studies at OU, pursuing a master’s degree in aerospace engineering.
