Class Notes

STUDENT SUCCESS: Known for helping Hajim students, Norwood was a fixture at the school, guiding undergraduates and helping them find opportunities to succeed. (Photo: J. Adam Fenster)

For the first time in nearly three decades, undergraduates at the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences will be shepherded through their programs by someone other than Lisa Norwood ’86, ’95W (MS).

Norwood, who has served as assistant dean for undergraduate education at Hajim since the 1990s, retired at the end of August.

Over the course of her career as a mentor and advocate for students, Norwood is credited with leading efforts to increase the number of women, underrepresented minorities, low-income, and first-generation students in Rochester’s engineering programs.

In recognition of her commitment to the school and its students, Norwood has received the Hajim School’s Outstanding Staff Award and Dottie Welch awards as well as the University’s Witmer and Meliora awards.

In a message to the Hajim community, Dean Wendi Heinzelman said, “No one has worked harder or more successfully than Lisa to foster diversity at the Hajim School. . . . In addition to being a tireless advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Lisa has been an inspiring mentor to countless students, an innovative administrator, and an enthusiastic ambassador for our University.”

The Hajim School has established a site to recognize Norwood’s commitment to students and the academic excellence of the school.