Chris Rock, Manager for Outreach and Customer Support at CAMAL, has been awarded the prestigious Pride of the Pack Award. This honor recognizes his exceptional ability to bridge the gap between industry and academia, profoundly impacting both the field of advanced manufacturing (AM) and his students.
Ola Harrysson, director of CAMAL, highlighted Rock’s extensive background and influence. “Chris Rock came to CAMAL with a Ph.D. in Material Science and 20 years of industry experience. He has contributed a lot to our understanding of the materials we process in CAMAL and had prior experience using the equipment at AIF that we heavily rely on,” Harrysson said.
Rock’s involvement goes beyond his research. He has developed numerous research proposals and now advises a group of students. Harrysson emphasized his role in the CAMAL Advanced Manufacturing Fellow Program, which started last year. “Chris took on the first cohort with Molly and Evan. He got them involved in research in the lab and trained them to use the equipment they needed for their project. Chris did a great job advising them and spent a lot of time in the lab with them,” Harrysson explained.
Rock’s contributions extend to the broader academic community. “Chris is an asset to CAMAL and the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department (ISE). He has participated in the advanced manufacturing group, served on various departmental committees and handled the ETF account for the past couple of years. He has also helped out with the Master of Engineering Management Program (MEM) and teaches courses for both MEM and ISE,” Harrysson added.
Molly Li, one of Rock’s students, nominated him for the award, emphasizing his dedication to research and teaching. “I nominated Dr. Rock for his commitment to his research and willingness to share his passion and knowledge with his students. Inside and outside the classroom, he is always open and available to students, no matter what questions we may have, he answers patiently and in great detail. In his research, he is enthusiastic about experimenting and discovering new ways to optimize the current additive manufacturing processes. He leads by example and embodies NC State’s values,” Li said.
Li also spoke about Rock’s impact on her academic journey. “Dr. Rock has profoundly impacted my academic journey and personal growth. Through his unwavering dedication and passion for his research, Dr. Rock has inspired me to expand my knowledge, think critically, and approach problems with a creative mindset. I am grateful for the confidence he has in me for various tasks on the project, shaping me into a more knowledgeable, confident, and driven individual,” Li shared.
Another student who nominated Rock, Evan Raynor, praised his commitment to his craft and students. “Chris Rock is dedicated to his craft as a research professor and to the welfare of his students and others who surround him. He cares greatly about those he is involved with and strives to keep them engaged in the research and class content he creates. As a passionate and caring individual, he deserves this award,” Raynor stated.
Raynor also reflected on the personal lessons he has learned from Rock. “I have only known Chris for a short few months, but he has taught me much about persistence in the view of an end goal. He has emphasized to me that while something you are working towards may seem far away, the key is to stay focused and achieving this goal will come to fruition. He has also been a great person to talk to and I have enjoyed being in his presence inside and outside of the classroom and research lab,” Raynor explained.
Summing up Rock’s qualifications for the award, Raynor added, “I don’t think you can find a professor more deserving of this award. Chris’ passion for his work and his peers is something that isn’t often seen in the world, but is always a breath of fresh air to see.”
Chris Rock’s unique ability to merge his industry experience with academic pursuits while fostering a supportive and inspiring environment for his students has made him a valued member of the CAMAL and ISE communities. His receipt of the Pride of the Pack Award is a testament to his impact and commitment to excellence.