January 09, 2009

American Society for Quality honors DeRuntz

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A leading technology group recently honored a Southern Illinois University Carbondale faculty member by electing him a fellow in its organization.

Bruce DeRuntz, an associate professor of technology in the College of Engineering, was among 20 fellows the American Society for Quality recently elected. The society recognized the fellows for their professional distinction and leadership in the areas of technology, theory, education and quality control efforts.

ASQ fellows must have at least 15 years of quality-related experience, meet minimum scores in six professional categories and be a senior member of the organization for at least five years. Peers and ASQ section leaders sponsor members for fellow status.

ASQ said it honored DeRuntz for his significant contributions to the quality assurance profession through quality management positions, consulting, developing and teaching quality methods courses and for extensive publications and presentation on the principles of Six Sigma.

“ASQ presents these men and woman with fellow status to recognize the commitment they have made to making quality a personal ethic, an organizational imperative, and a global priority,” said Roberto Saco, ASQ president. “They are leaders of the quality movement, and many may become the future leaders of ASQ.”

DeRuntz joined the technology department at SIUC in 1998. His research includes Six Sigma Quality and human resource development. He serves as president of the Industry Division for the National Association of Industrial Technology and was named the Department of Technology’s Outstanding Teacher. DeRuntz also coordinates the Blaudow/ATS Scholarship program for the College of Engineering.

DeRuntz is editor of the Quality Management Forum and the associate editor of the Journal of Industrial Technology. He holds ASQ certifications for Six Sigma Black Belt and Quality Engineer.

DeRuntz earned his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial technology at Eastern Illinois University. He earned a Master of Science degree in manufacturing systems and his doctorate in workforce education and development at SIUC. He teaches manufacturing processes, quality control, industrial metrology and manufacturing policy classes.

DeRuntz previously worked at A.O. Smith Automotive Products, Emerson Electric Co. and the Manufacturing Extension Program.

The ASQ, headquartered in Milwaukee, is a leading authority on quality. With more than 90,000 individual and organizational members, the ASQ advances learning, quality improvement and knowledge exchange aimed at improving business results, workplaces and communities.