Boston, MA – October 4, 2007 – Wentworth today announced that Professor Suzanne Kennedy of the Design and Facilities Department has been awarded the prestigious International Facilities Management Association (IFMA) 2007 Educator of the Year citation. The Educator Award recognizes excellence in developing curriculum and instructing students in subjects related to facility management at a college, university or institute. The award recipient must have gained prominence in his or her field by writing and publishing papers, making presentations to professional organizations, mentoring an IFMA student chapter, and maintaining high quality teaching.

“This is one of the biggest accomplishments of my career,” said Professor Kennedy. “I come to work every day because the students are important to me, and I enjoy seeing their successes.”

Professor Kennedy joined Wentworth in 1990 and has been the primary faculty member and program coordinator for the Facilities Planning and Management program since that time. She has led efforts to revise and strengthen the program curriculum, and readily disseminates information about facilities management education and certification through her leadership and involvement in her professional affiliations. Her accomplishments include considerable work with the Wentworth student IFMA chapter, research and publications, presentations to professional organizations, and an ongoing contribution to students’ success.  

“Professor Kennedy continues to be the backbone of the Facilities Planning and Management program at Wentworth,” said Victoria Hardy, Department Head of Design and Facilities Management. “She is one of the pioneers in facilities management education at the undergraduate level, and her teaching and program coordination have made our program one of the best in the country.”

Kennedy will receive the award at the IFMA 2007 World Workplace Conference that will be held from October 24-26 in New Orleans, LA. Along with being honored, she will join Professor Hardy in a presentation on Post 9-11 Emergency Planning, which will include the results of a major survey on emergency evacuation practices.

Wentworth Institute of Technology
Founded in 1904, Wentworth Institute of Technology is an independent, co-educational nationally ranked institution offering career-focused education through 15 Bachelor degree programs in areas such as architecture, computer science and systems, construction management, design, engineering, engineering technology, environmental science, and management. For over a century, Wentworth has been a leader in technical education known for its academic excellence, community service, and support for the economic growth of the region. For more information, please visit www.wit.edu.