Each year the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences gives its highest honor, the Dean's Award for Achievement, to someone who has made a substantial contribution to the practice of engineering or the applied sciences and has had an exceptional professional career. This year I am pleased to honor Russell L. Agrusa (BS EE ’76), Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of ICONICS, a leading international software developer.

In 1986, after 10 years in industry, Russ launched ICONICS, and under his leadership, it has been a major supplier of software systems for Manufacturing and Building Controls. ICONICS has over 250,000 installations worldwide and has 70 percent of the Fortune 1000 companies as its customers. Today organizations such as the Pentagon, U.S. Postal Service, Audi, Ford, Texas Instruments, Delphi, Honda, and London’s Heathrow airports have come to depend on ICONICS products for their mission-critical operations. Its awards include Inc.’s 500 Fastest Growing Company award in 1991 and 1992, and Microsoft’s 2008 Partner of the Year Award. In addition to the United States, the company has locations in Australia, China, the Czech Republic, France, India, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

The University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is honored to name Russell L. Agrusa as an alumnus of great distinction whose continued career achievements merit our highest regard.