INTERNATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY NAMES DR. KEN LARSEN, UNK INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CHAIR, 2006 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT

Marsha Yeagley
marketing/MIS department senior lecturer, 308.865.8345
 

Dr. Kennard Larson, chair of the University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Industrial Technology, has received the Epsilon Pi Tau Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor awarded from the international honor society for individuals in the technology professions.

Selected by the board of directors, recipients of the Epsilon Pi Tau Service Award must have no less than a master’s degree and preferably a doctoral degree. In addition, potential honorees must present a record of their achievements that have aided the technology profession.
    
Finally, the nominees must be recognized by Epsilon Pi Tau in at least three of the following fields: scholarship, authorship, research, teaching, community service, administration and management.
    
Dr. Larson served on the international board of directors for the organization from 2002 to 2005. During his time as the Region 4 director, Dr. Larson was responsible for overseeing chapters in South America and Central America, as well as the central American states and Canadian provinces.

The UNK chapter of Epsilon Pi Tau was established in 1995, largely due to the proposal written by Dr. Larson. Since that time, approximately 300 students have been inducted into the UNK chapter.
    
Undergraduate members are selected from the top 10 percent of the junior and senior classes. Teachers, administrators, and industrial executives are selected for membership on the basis of leadership and outstanding professional contributions and achievements.

Dr. Larson was first inducted into Epsilon Pi Tau in 1970. The honor society inducts students, scholars and professionals in the technology field. With its 16,000 active members, and chapters in 50 nations, the 75-year-old honor society is a worldwide organization recognizing excellence in technology.
    
In 1988, Dr. Larson was awarded the Laureate Citation. After becoming eligible, which requires a minimum of five years of consecutive membership and active involvement in the honor society, a potential Laureate Citation honoree must be nominated by a member of Epsilon Pi Tau and approved by the regional director.