Clemson University’s Bill Ferrell wins Reed-Apple Education Award from the Material Handling Institute

Bill Ferrell of Clemson University was recently honored with the esteemed Reed-Apple Education Award from the Material Handling Institute (MHI) for his significant contributions to facilities and material handling education.

Ferrell serves as the Fluor International Supply Chain Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and associate dean of the Graduate School. An MHI video available here describes his contributions to industry, his unwavering commitment to excellence and his passion for working with students.

Ferrell is the award’s 22nd recipient since 1982 when it was first presented.

The honor, a mark of lifetime achievement, is awarded “only when a sufficient body of documentation has been presented to convince a panel of judges that an award should be made to an individual, corporation or organization that has contributed to material handling and logistics education in an extraordinary way and to an extraordinary degree,” according to MHI.

Ferrell collected his award at the 2023 MHI Annual Conference, which occurred Oct. 1-4, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“The 21 people who have won this award are a ‘who’s who’ in facilities and material handling. It is humbling and an incredible honor to have my name added to that list,” Ferrell said. “Awards like these are not just a reflection of individual accomplishments, but of the collective efforts and encouragement of peers, colleagues, and students. Thank you for inspiring me to push the boundaries every single day.”

Previous winners were: Henry Harnischfeger, Don Frazier, L. West Shea, Howard Zollinger, James A. Tompkins, James K. Allred, John A. White, Robert J. Graves, Norman L. Cahners, Leon F. McGinnis, Jr., Paul T. Eaton, John M. Hill, James R. Bright, Arthur St. Onge, James M. Apple, Jr., Russell Meller, Bernie Knill, Kevin Gue, Richard Muther, Sunderesh Heragu and Richard E. Ward.

“Bill’s recognition with the Reed-Apple Education Award serves as a shining example of the caliber of dedication and innovation we strive for in Clemson’s Department of Industrial Engineering,” said Kevin Taaffe, the department chair. “His enduring commitment to the supply chain field not only elevates our university but also propels the entire industry forward. I offer him the highest possible level of congratulations.”