June 26, 2025
Kevin Houser & Chip Israel Awarded Top I.E.S. Honors
IES honors Houser for research, Israel for service in annual awards spotlight
The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) has announced the 2025 recipients of its highest honors: the IES Medal Award and the Louis B. Marks Award. Kevin Houser, Ph. D., FIES, has been selected for the Medal Award, recognizing outstanding technical achievement in illuminating engineering. Charles E. “Chip” Israel, FIES, has been named the recipient of the Louis B. Marks Award for exceptional non-technical service to the Society and profession.
Houser Honored for Technical Achievement
Dr. Houser, a prominent researcher, educator, and innovator in architectural lighting, was awarded the IES Medal Award for his extensive contributions to the field. The Medal Award is presented for meritorious technical achievement that advances the profession, art, or science of illumination.
Above: Kevin Houser, Ph. D., FIES
Dr. Houser has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 100 additional publications. He holds five U.S. patents and has served as principal investigator on more than 35 projects with a combined funding total exceeding $5.4 million. His academic leadership has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of lighting professionals, supervising seven completed doctoral dissertations and 14 master’s theses.
As editor of LEUKOS, the journal of the IES, Dr. Houser oversaw its rise as the highest-ranked publication in the lighting industry. He has contributed service to multiple organizations including IES, CIE, and IALD through committee participation and leadership roles.
Israel Recognized for Service and Leadership
Charles E. “Chip” Israel, FIES, is the recipient of the 2025 Louis B. Marks Award. Named after the Society’s first president, the award honors non-technical service that advances the mission of the IES.
Above: Charles E. “Chip” Israel, FIES
A past president of the Society, Israel is recognized for his longstanding mentorship of emerging professionals and his role as an ambassador for the lighting community. According to the IES, his contributions include diplomatic engagement on behalf of the industry, support for young entrepreneurs, and active leadership in promoting collaboration and professionalism across the field.
Israel has been consistently involved in outreach and educational initiatives, embodying the IES’s mission through direct engagement and sustained commitment to the organization and its members.
Awards to Be Presented at IES25
Both Dr. Houser and Israel will be honored at the Society & Board Awards reception on August 21 during IES25: The Lighting Conference in Anaheim, California. The event will also recognize recipients of the IES Distinguished Service Award, IES Fellow designation, and the IES Presidential Award.
The Society's annual awards continue to highlight the achievements of individuals whose work has shaped and supported the lighting profession in both technical and service capacities.
