Former U.S. Under Secretary of State Recognized for
Transformational Leadership and $4.5 Trillion Global Productivity Impact
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University announced Sept. 16 that noted alumnus Keith Krach — chair and co-founder of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, former U.S. under secretary of state, and business executive — has been named the 2025 recipient of the M. Eugene Merchant Manufacturing Medal.
The prestigious award, jointly awarded by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and SME (formerly known as the Society of Manufacturing Engineers) is considered among the manufacturing sector’s highest honors, recognizing exceptional innovation and leadership that advance the science and practice of manufacturing.


