Toni Doolen Named 2009 Fellow of the Society of Women Engineers

Story Posted: Tue, Oct 27, 2009

Toni Doolen, 2009 SWE Fellow

CHICAGO – October 16, 2009 – The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is pleased to announce Toni Doolen, Ph.D. as a 2009 Fellow of the Society for encouraging young women to reach their full potential as engineers in her capacity as an engineering professor and through SWE.

Dr. Doolen is an associate professor in the School of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at Oregon State University (OSU). In this role, she teaches various engineering courses, and advises students academically and through OSU engineering societies.

“Dr. Toni Doolen has selflessly contributed her time, ideas and guidance to the Society and young women aspiring to reach full potential in their engineering careers,” says Nora Lin, SWE president. “Throughout her career she has served as a SWE leader, advancing outreach and scholarship programs. As a professor, she is recognized for her strength as an educator.”

Dr. Doolen began her industry career as a process engineer in Hewlett-Packard’s Optical Communications Division, where she was responsible for sustaining existing processes and leading process development activities. She advanced quickly at the company until she chose to pursue new goals of earning a Ph.D. and becoming an engineering professor. Upon her 2001 graduation, Dr. Doolen stayed at OSU as an assistant professor, and was awarded tenure in 2007. She was named OSU’s Institute of Industrial Engineers Faculty of the Year four years in a row for her strength as an educator.

“Toni’s career demonstrates the possibility for women engineers to attain high levels of education and professional achievement,” says Lorraine Wang, Ph.D., Willamette Valley SWE Professional Section president. “Through her academic and SWE leadership, Toni serves as an exemplary role model to students and has established countless networking opportunities.”

A SWE member for the last 20 years, Dr. Doolen has served in leadership roles on the local and national levels. As a member of the Santa Clara Valley Professional Section, she served two terms as president. Dr. Doolen joined the National Career Guidance Committee in 1994, where she served as chair for four years, updated career guidance resources and created new materials for use in outreach programs. Upon her move to Corvallis, Ore., Dr. Doolen found that a professional section was missing, so she led the chartering of the Willamette Valley Professional Section in 1996 and served as its first president.

Dr. Doolen holds B.S. degrees in electrical engineering, and materials science and engineering from Cornell University. She also earned an M.S. degree in manufacturing systems from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in industrial engineering from Oregon State University. Dr. Doolen has published nearly 20 journal articles and a book chapter, and has been awarded numerous grants.

About SWE
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is a not-for-profit educational and service organization. SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in those aspirations and receive the recognition and credit for their life-changing contributions and achievements as engineers and leaders. For more information about the Society please visit www.swe.org or call (312) 596-5223.