An ISU professor has been recognized for his contribution to diversity and gender equality.

Max Wortman Jr., distinguished professor of management, won the international Janet Chusmir/Sage Publication Distinguished Service Award.

“It’s the only one of its kind in management,” Wortman said.

The award is given for outstanding contributions to the Gender and Diversity Division of the Academy of Management and for distinguished service to women as their supporters and mentors, he said.

Wortman is the sixth person – and the second male – to be honored with this award.

He was honored with this award Aug. 8 at a divisional meeting of the Academy of Management, of which he has been a member since 1962.

Wortman also is the president-elect of the Faculty Senate. He will take over the duties as president next year.

He is teaching Management of Diversity at the senior level and Entrepreneurship – New Venture Creation at the master’s level.

“He is a distinguished professor in the college,” said Labh Hira, interim dean of accounting. “He is also a very distinguished professor in the Academy of Management.”

The Academy of Management currently has about 12,000 members, nationally and internationally.

“Thirty years ago it was just national,” Wortman said. “Twenty-four percent of the members are international.”

When he got involved with the academy in 1962, no women participated, Wortman said.

Now, he said, between 32 to 33 percent are women.

“Things have really gone up,” Wortman said.