Apple CEO accepts IISE Captains of Industry Award presented by Auburn Industrial and Systems Engineering professor and student

Apple CEO Tim Cook accepted the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers’, or IISE, Captains of Industry Award on Saturday, Nov. 27, at Auburn University in a private ceremony before the annual Iron Bowl.

Cook, a 1982 Auburn University graduate with a degree in industrial engineering, was nominated for the award by Alice Smith, an IISE Fellow and the Joe W. Forehand/Accenture Distinguished Professor of industrial and systems engineering with a joint appointment in computer science and software engineering at Auburn. The award is the Institute’s highest honor that is bestowed solely on business, industry and government leaders.

“It’s an honor to receive this award from IISE,” Cook said when he was announced as the recipient during the institute’s virtual conference in May. “My Auburn degree in industrial engineering helped to prepare me for everything my career had in store for me, and it is especially meaningful to be nominated by Auburn Professor Alice Smith.”

During the May event, Auburn industrial and systems engineering student Annie Dorsey had the opportunity to interview Cook about his industrial engineering background, the importance of ethical business practices, his role at Apple and more. Dorsey joined Smith to present Cook with the Captains of Industry Award Saturday.