Premiere Achievement for Emerging & Established Talent

The Golden Torch Awards (GTA) recognizes excellence among technical professionals, corporate, government and academic leaders, and university and pre-college students. These awards illustrate the possibilities that can be cultivated through support and responsibility.

Overview of the
Golden Torch Awards

The Annual Golden Torch Awards link the accomplishments of distinguished African- American engineers and technical professionals with college bound dreams of pre-college students. Since its inception GTA has served as a night to honor the best and the brightest in technology.

The Golden Torch Awards (GTA) recognizes excellence among technical professionals, corporate, government and academic leaders, and university and pre-college students. These awards illustrate the possibilities that can be cultivated through support and responsibility. The proceeds of GTA are used to create college scholarships for gifted high school students.

Awards Application

Award Categories

  • Individual
  • Pre-Collegiate
  • Academia
  • Organizational
  • Professional

Distinguished Engineer
of the Year

This is NSBE’s most prestigious award based on a career of outstanding achievements in an engineering or technical field and exceptional leadership.
  • Must demonstrate work that has significantly expanded his or her industry
  • Must demonstrate receipt of awards and accolades
  • Must demonstrate social/community contributions
  • Must demonstrate activities supporting NSBE’s mission
  • Must hold a management level or higher position
  • Must provide documentation of accomplishments in engineering and the sciences
2025-2026 Winner
Corey Frazier

Lifetime Achievement in Industry

2025-2026 Winner
Annick Ratsizaharimanana
Awarded to a seasoned engineering or technical professional who has exhibited technical excellence, leadership and made significant career contributions to his or her specific field over many years.
  • Must hold a management level position
  • Must demonstrate work that has significantly expanded his or her industry over several years
  • Must have contributed significantly to the engineering profession for at least 15 years
  • Must demonstrate social/community contributions, as well as publications and lectures
  • Must demonstrate activities supporting NSBE’s mission
  • Must hold a management-level or higher position

Outstanding Woman in Technology

2025-2026 Winner
Joyce Mdananebari Obuso Lewis
Based on a career of exceptional accomplishments in an engineering or other technical field and demonstrated leadership abilities
  • Must demonstrate exceptional leadership and a pioneering spirit in her technical field
  • Must demonstrate work that has increased the number of women in engineering and technology
  • Must demonstrate a high level of achievement in technology
  • Must demonstrate activities supporting NSBE’s mission
  • Must hold a management level or higher position

Mike Shinn NSBE Distinguished Member (Male)

2025-2026 Winner
Nosakhare Idiaghe
The Mike Shinn NSBE Distinguished Member of the Year Program provides scholastic motivation to achieve and serves as a tool to encourage members to continue to strive for academic excellence, while developing professional and leadership skills through organization and community involvement. Judged on the basis of fulfillment of the mission through participation in NSBE programs and other activities, the members selected for this prestigious honor serve as role models for the entire membership.
  • NSBE Service and Involvement (Chapter, Regional, and/or National)  
  • NSBE & University Academic Achievement
  • Professional Development
  • Campus & Community Impact: Community Service and TORCH Activities
  • Essay Responses
  • All applicants must be paid NSBE members.
  • NSBE undergraduate and graduate student members are eligible to apply. (Non engineering/technical majors are not eligible.)
  • Award GPA Minimum Requirements: 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
  • NOTE: Former Mike Shinn Distinguished Fellows are ineligible to apply.

Mike Shinn NSBE Distinguished Member (Female)

2025-2026 Winner
Saliyah As-Salaam
The Mike Shinn NSBE Distinguished Member of the Year Program provides scholastic motivation to achieve and serves as a tool to encourage members to continue to strive for academic excellence, while developing professional and leadership skills through organization and community involvement. Judged on the basis of fulfillment of the mission through participation in NSBE programs and other activities, the members selected for this prestigious honor serve as role models for the entire membership.
  • NSBE Service and Involvement (Chapter, Regional, and/or National)  
  • NSBE & University Academic Achievement
  • Professional Development
  • Campus & Community Impact: Community Service and TORCH Activities
  • Essay Responses
  • All applicants must be paid NSBE members.
  • NSBE undergraduate and graduate student members are eligible to apply. (Non engineering/technical majors are not eligible.)
  • Award GPA Minimum Requirements: 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
  • NOTE: Former Mike Shinn Distinguished Fellows are ineligible to apply.

International Member of the Year

2025-2026 Winner
Abdulsomod Sarumi
The International Member of the Year Award recognizes outstanding international members for their participation in Society efforts. International members will be recognized for their participation in supporting and promoting NSBE outside of the United States and their efforts in contributing to their Chapter’s success overall.
  • NSBE Service and Involvement (Chapter, Regional, and/or National)
  • Fulfillment of the NSBE Mission and Vision
  • Community Service (within and outside NSBE)
  • Recommendation letters (min. 2 letters)
  • At least one recommendation letter must come from a Chapter Officer
  • Minimum of 2 recommendation letters must be submitted.

Culturally Responsible Engineer Award