ASQ Awards Committee Raising Awareness of National Awards and Recipients

Exceptional work should be rewarded.  Since the Society’s beginning, ASQ members have recognized quality professionals through a number of national awards.  Some of the awards have a robust history, dating back to 1946.  Other awards are newer, reflecting the changing and broadening nature of the profession and the Society.  Some awards recognize authors, some recognize practitioners’ ideas.  What all the awards have in common is that they are not well- known outside of the groups that recognize these honored recipients.  Many ASQ members do not know that there are national awards granted.   That is about to change.

While the quality of the work has always been excellent, awareness of the ASQ honors and awards ensures a healthy future for the program.  In order for awards such as these to thrive, nominations must continue to be put forward.  For that to happen, members need to take notice of worthy individuals. 

Any member may nominate an individual, by November 1, for the awards listed below.  As you will see, the awards cover a wide array of topics and expertise—much like the quality community at large.  And it is doubtful that you can look at the list without recognizing at least one recipient (click on award link below to see the recipient lists).

• The Crosby Medal is presented to the individual who has authored a distinguished book contributing significantly to the extension of the philosophy and application of the principles, methods, or techniques of quality management.
• The Deming Medal is presented to those who, like Dr. Deming, have successfully combined the application of statistical thinking and management so that each supports and enhances the other, thus leading to quality in products and services.
• The ASQ Edwards Medal is presented to the individual who has demonstrated the most outstanding leadership in the application of modern quality control methods, especially through the organization and administration of such work.
• The Feigenbaum Medal is presented to the individual who is 35 years of age or younger (as of November 1 of applying year), who has displayed outstanding characteristics of leadership, professionalism, and potential in the field of quality and also whose work has been, or will become, of distinct benefit to mankind.
• The E.L. Grant Medal is presented to the individual who has been deemed by the committee to have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the development and presentation of a meritorious educational program in quality control.
• The Ishikawa Medal will be awarded to an individual or a team whose work has had a major positive impact on the human aspects of quality.
• The E. Jack Lancaster Medal is presented to the individual who has been recognized by the committee for dedication and outstanding contributions to the International Fraternity of Quality Professionals.
• The Joseph M. Juran Medal is presented to the individual who exhibits distinguished performance in a sustained role as an organizational leader, personally practicing the key principles of quality and demonstrating breakthrough management.
• The Shainin Medal is awarded for the development and application of creative or unique statistical approaches in the solving of problems relative to the quality of product or service.
• The Shewhart Medal is awarded for technical leadership in the field of modern quality control, “especially through the development to its theory, principles, and techniques.”

Once the nominations have been received, the award committees choose a recipient.  The nominated recipients are then voted on by the ASQ Awards Committee and the ASQ Board of Directors. 

Recipients of the award are recognized in ASQ media releases and receive their awards at the ASQ World Conference for Quality and Improvement. 

To nominate a colleague for any of the awards listed, visit the Awards and Honors page.