The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering recently honored students and faculty at its annual award banquet.  

Alum Bob Johnson (BS/IE ’68) was inducted into the ISE Hall of Fame for his successful post-athletic career in engineering.  

Johnson, a two-time All-American on the University of Tennessee football team, was the first-ever draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, taken No. 2 overall in 1968 NFL Draft. The center played 12 seasons for the Bengals, serving as a team captain and earning multiple Pro Bowl honors. Johnson’s No. 54 was retired by the Bengals in 1978. 

Following his NFL career, Johnson joined Imperial Adhesives, where he ascended to president of the company in 1980 when he purchased it. After selling Imperial Adhesives to Sovereign Specialty Chemicals, Johnson became president of its industrial division and eventually was a business unit manager for Henkel. In 2010, Johnson founded Choice Adhesives, where he pioneered innovative technology for various specialty applications such as high-pressure laminate, furniture, insulation, roofing, foam fabricating, recreational vehicles, and footwear.