2024 Dean's Awards Dinner: Recipients

Dean’s Awards Dinner

Overbrook Golf Club Villanova, Pennsylvania

Thursday, April 11, 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Award Descriptions.............................................................................

1

Undergraduate Students Chemical Engineering.................................................................

4

Civil Engineering...........................................................................

7

Computer Engineering...............................................................

13

Electrical Engineering.................................................................

14

Mechanical Engineering.............................................................

15

Graduate Students...............................................................................

19

AWARD DESCRIPTIONS DEAN’S AWARDS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT The Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement was established to recognize outstanding academic performance. To be a recipient of this award, a student must be an undergraduate engineering major graduating within the current academic year, at the top 10% of their major at the end of the fall term. The awards are presented by the Dean of the College of Engineering.

MERITORIOUS SERVICE The Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service was established to recognize exceptional service to the College of Engineering by undergraduate engineering students.

To be eligible for this award, nominees must be senior engineering majors who are involved in extracurricular and/or service activities within the College for a sustained period. Preference is given to students who demonstrate noteworthy leadership in one or more activities. Recipients may be self-nominated or nominated by fellow students, faculty or administrators and are selected by the Dean of the College of Engineering.

COLLEGE AWARDS ROBERT D. LYNCH AWARD Instituted in 2003 in honor of Dr. R.D. Lynch, Dean of the College of Engineering from 1975 until 2000, this award is presented on behalf of the Villanova University Engineering Alumni Society and acknowledges a graduating senior for their outstanding academic achievements and exemplary dedication to serving the community, thus representing the highest values of Villanova University and the College of Engineering.

GRAND CHALLENGES SCHOLARS The National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) is an engineering education supplement that broadens the reach of undergraduate study by preparing students to think in international terms; developing the perspectives and skills needed to find solutions to real and urgent problems; and offering a clear view to future jobs that matter and the opportunities in engineering. At Villanova University, the GCSP focuses on five challenges that build upon the College’s research expertise: making solar energy economical; providing access to clean water; engineering better medicines; securing cyberspace; and restoring and improving urban infrastructure.

–1–

AWARD DESCRIPTIONS COLLEGE AWARDS (continued) ENGINEERING MIDSHIPMAN AWARD New for 2024, this recognition is awarded to a Midshipman 1st Class enrolled in the College of Engineering. The awardee is recognized for exemplary achievement in three specific areas: outstanding academic achievement indicated by a GPA of 3.75 or higher; leadership as demonstrated by participation in leadership and/or management positions in Villanova’s NROTC unit; and service to the College of Engineering.

ENGINEERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Instituted in 2022, this award is presented to a graduating engineering student with a Minor in Engineering Entrepreneurship, who has achieved distinction through demonstration of exceptional entrepreneurial pursuit both inside and outside the classroom.

HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING STUDENT AWARD Instituted in 2023, this award is presented to a graduating engineering student who exemplifies a commitment to serving communities in need through applied engineering, technical support on sustainable development, and ethical engagement in a global context.

DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS — UNDERGRADUATE ROBERT E. WHITE CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AWARD Presented to a graduating senior who best combines performance in his or her Chemical Engineering studies with scholarship, dedication, leadership, and other qualities desirable for the successful application of an engineering education.

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD Presented to a graduating Civil Engineering student who has achieved academic excellence and has freely given of his or her time, energy, and talents to fulfill the mission of the University.

COMPUTER ENGINEERING OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD Presented to a graduating senior who has shown evidence of superior academic performance in his or her studies as a Computer Engineering student, along with outstanding commitment and leadership demonstrated in co-curricular activities such as engineering student organizations and project teams.

–2–

AWARD DESCRIPTIONS DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS — UNDERGRADUATE (continued) ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD Presented to a graduating senior who has shown evidence of superior academic performance in his or her studies as an Electrical Engineering student, along with outstanding commitment and leadership demonstrated in co-curricular activities such as engineering student organizations and project teams.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD Presented to a graduating senior in Mechanical Engineering who has shown professionalism as evidenced by exemplary effort, character, and service, combined with academic achievement.

GRADUATE AWARDS DEPARTMENTAL MASTER OF SCIENCE STUDENT AWARDS Presented in recognition of outstanding graduate research, leadership and service to the College.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING OUTSTANDING MASTER OF SCIENCE STUDENT AWARD Presented to a graduating master’s degree student who has achieved distinction through outstanding graduate academics and research and through exemplary leadership and service to Villanova University and the College of Engineering.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING OUTSTANDING DOCTORAL STUDENT AWARD Presented to a graduating PhD student who has achieved distinction through outstanding scholarship in the Doctoral Program and through exemplary leadership and service to Villanova University and the College of Engineering.

–3–

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Ciara Coulter Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: I plan to work in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with focused interest in research and development.

Favorite Villanova Memory: My favorite Villanova memory was getting to be a volunteer coordinator for Villanova Special Olympics. Seeing the fruits of all the hard work and preparation for competition weekend was incredible, and watching the athletes triumph was indescribable. Villanova’s campus comes alive that weekend, and I truly got to see the very best of everyone in this community.

Groups and activities at Villanova: Special Olympics, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, Villanova Day of Service, Ruibal, Community Outreach of Villanova (COV), CEER PEER student engineering tutor, OXE Chemical Engineering Honor Society, published in Ellipsis Magazine.

Mary Dam Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Future Plans: I am moving out to Los Angeles, CA to work as an Associate Materials and Processes Engineer at Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris)!

Favorite Villanova Memory: Going to Atlanta, GA for SASE National Conventions in 2022 and 2023! I got to explore a wonderful city, network, and land my previous internship and current job at both conventions!

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc, Blue Key Asian Student Association (ASA), Filipino American Student Association (FASA), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and Peer Tutoring for General Chemistry and Calculus.

Matthew Devitt Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: I plan on entering the workforce after graduation, hopefully with a job in pharmaceuticals/biotechnology or sustainability.

After spending a few years gaining experience from work, I would like to return to school for a higher degree.

Favorite Villanova Memory: My favorite Villanova memory is from the first night after orientation my freshman year. Some of the other students I met that day invited me to come explore the campus with them, and we ended up spending the whole night walking around and getting to know each other. Ever since, we have been great friends, and we are currently all roommates.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Finance and Investing for non-Business Students, Tau Beta Pi, Omega Chi Epsilon and Varsity Athletics Tutoring.

–4–

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Jonathan Forbes Engineering Midshipman Award Future Plans: Pilot in the United States Navy Favorite Villanova Memory: Freshman Year back-to-back snow days Groups and activities at Villanova: NROTC, Rugby, OXE Chemical Engineering Honors Society, Villanova Veteran Student Affairs Society Ryan Forte Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Robert E. White Chemical Engineering Award Future Plans: Currently looking at opportunities in biopharma process development or plant design.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Men’s Basketball Final Four Run (2022).

Groups and Activities at Villanova: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), CEER PEERS, ChemE Car and Ultimate Frisbee.

Karl David Fotso Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Future Plans: Upon graduation, I will be working as a Process Engineer with Wood PLC. avorite Villanova Memory: My favorite Villanova Memory would have F to be making it to the semi-finals of the Intramural co-ed championship with my friends.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: President of NSPE, President of ISPE and Academic Chairman for NSBE. Luke Lagalante Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: Merck Upstream Vaccine Process Development Associate Scientist.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Watching Villanova make it to the Final Four!

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Research, Chemical Engineering Honors Society, AICHE Fraternity, Villanova Special Olympics and NOVAdance.

–5–

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Broderick Lane Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: Starting in the fall, I will be a first-year Bioengineering Ph.D. student at Lehigh University working under Dr. Angela Brown.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Being a part of Blue Key and seeing all the excitement from prospective students at Accepted Students Day, especially during the spirit line!

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Tau Beta Pi, Omega Chi Epsilon, Villanova Blue Key, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Villanova Residence Life, and Peer Tutoring.

Ryan Pecharo Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: After graduation I plan to begin my career in process engineering, possibly continue my education as well.

Favorite Villanova Memory: My first year as an Administrative Assistant for New Student Orientation (and the following years as well)!

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Villanova Outdoors Club, New Student Orientation and Classroom Tech Support.

–6–

CIVIL ENGINEERING Brianna Davis Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Future Plans: I will be working as a Digital Delivery Professional at Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. Favorite Villanova Memory: Delivering dance grams (dancing telegrams) around campus with my dance crew for our Valentine’s Day annual fundraiser. Especially, the surprise deliveries for my roommates, which never failed to put smiles on their faces.

Groups and activities at Villanova: The Superlative Dance Crew, Resident Assistant, Villanova Engineering, Science and Technology Enrichment and Development (VESTED), NovaEDGE, National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Villanova Engineering Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Andrew Kline Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Future Plans: After graduating in May, I will transition into a full-time role at Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. in Pottstown, PA. At TPD, I will be working as a Planning Specialist on the municipal services team, supporting local municipalities with various traffic related projects and land development reviews. Additionally, I will maintain my activity with ASCE through various committees and projects.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Navigating freshman year through COVID complications, while building amazing friendships that will last a lifetime.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Student Government Association (SGA), Villanova Television (VTV), Office of Student Involvement (OSI) as a Media Assistant, and Engineering Student Council (ESC).

–7–

CIVIL ENGINEERING Belen Labarta Galan Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Future Plans: I will be working on the AECOM Philadelphia Structural Team. After having interned there for two years and made valuable connections with the alumni there, I am excited to go back.

Favorite Villanova Memory: My favorite Villanova memory centers on the Final Four game during my sophomore year. The Finn was filled with energy as students, regardless of grade or major, rallied behind the Wildcats. Hugs were shared with every point scored, but as the team started to miss, cheers lessened.

Yet, in defeat, Villanova’s solidarity shone brighter. Hugs turned from celebration to comfort, showing the support through thick and thin. Despite the loss, I was amazed at our community’s resilience—a reminder of our unity in both triumph and adversity.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: During my time at Villanova, I participated in multiple societies and clubs, ranging from the Hispanic Society to Habitat for Humanity to the Institute of Transportation Engineering. Outside of class, I was selected to participate in the Augustinian Culture and Architecture Program in Italy in 2022 and studied abroad during the spring of my junior year at the University of Technology Sydney. Yet, I believe the activity that has had the most impact on my college experience has been Villanova Engineering Service Learning (VESL), as it has allowed me to apply my knowledge to effect change and forge meaningful connections.

Ethan Maharas Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: I am moving to Portland, Oregon to work as a transportation engineer at Consor Engineers. I hope to eventually get a Master of Urban Planning and work on transit projects.

Favorite Villanova Memory: The excitement and energy around campus during the 2022 March Madness. Also, having a running community was a constant at Villanova.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Club Running, RUIBAL, String Quartet.

–8–

CIVIL ENGINEERING Emma Olson Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Grand Challenges Scholars Program Future Plans: I will be working at Jacobs as a Water Resource Engineer in Boston, Massachusetts following graduation.

Favorite Villanova Memory: One of my favorite Villanova memories is my first year, sledding down the hill in front of the Church on flattened cardboard boxes during our first snow day. Another favorite memory is feeling the excitement and energy for the new academic year during our first Society of Women Engineers (SWE) general body meeting last Fall.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: I was the President for Society of Women Engineers (SWE) this year and tutored weekly at a local community center in Manayunk with Community Outreach at Villanova (COV). I have also been a part of the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and traveled with three different Villanova Engineering Service Learning (VESL) projects and been involved with Water Resource Engineering research for the last two years.

Kendra Power Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: I am thrilled to share that I will soon begin my professional career as a Design Engineer for Dynamic Engineering Consultants in Belmar, NJ. In this role, I will be engaged in technical work related to land development. I am grateful for the support and guidance I have received from Villanova University and am excited to bring my positive energy to the company’s culture.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Reflecting on my time at Villanova, I reminisce about waking up in my Sheehan dorm and walking out into the quad on a beautiful spring day. I would grab a coffee with my friends and just sit and chat outside. This is the center of campus so we would see everyone walking to class and out of their dorms. Times like these are when I truly felt communitas on campus and felt so happy that Villanova brought so many amazing connections into my life.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Student Government Association; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Ambassador of Outreach and Retention, American Society of Civil Engineers; Class Representative, Innovators Supper Club, Society of Women Engineers, Outdoors Club, Inclusion Crew, Intramural Soccer and Dodgeball, Villanova Day of Service and Engineering Well-Being Committee.

–9–

CIVIL ENGINEERING Emma Robert Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Civil and Environmental Engineering Outstanding Student Award Future Plans: I plan to stay at Villanova to pursue my master’s with a focus on water resources. I will also be working on a thesis which will focus on a spatial analysis of wastewater contaminants as they relate to drinking water sources.

Favorite Villanova Memory: My favorite Villanova memory is all the snow days! They are such a fun surprise to wake up to and I always spent the day with my friends, watching movies, playing outside, baking and playing games.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: I was a part of the Special Olympics Committee, NOVAdance Committee, and an Orientation Staff Member. I also enjoyed being a part of Best Buddies and the Event Coordinator for ASCE. Within the engineering school, I got hands on experience by being a part of Villanova Engineering Service Learning with which I traveled to the Dominican Republic and Uganda to ensure equal access to clean water in rural communities.

Jordin Thomas-Lamothe Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Future plans: I will be joining Whiting-Turner Contracting Company as a Field Engineer.

Favorite Villanova Memory: My favorite Villanova memory is when I studied abroad in Italy in the summer of 2022. During my time in Italy, I was able to visit places such as Rome, Urbino, Pisa, and the Almalfi Coast where I was able to immerse myself in the Italian culture.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: National Society of Black Engineers, Black Student Union, Villanova College of Engineering Diversity Equity and Inclusion Black History Month committee, Villanova Engineering, Science, Technology Enrichment and Development, Community Outreach of Villanova, working to be Informed, Studious and Engaged, Chi Epsilon Honor Society, Edward Collymore Honor Society, Special Olympics, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

– 10 –

CIVIL ENGINEERING Sara Walsh Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: After graduation in May, I plan to pursue a career in structural engineering or project management. I am scheduled to take my Fundamentals of Engineering exam this summer, with plans of attending graduate school and obtaining my Professional Engineer’s license in the future.

Favorite Villanova Memory: My favorite Villanova memory was the month I spent in Italy with 20 other engineering students, studying about architecture and Augustine. I was able to grow closer to my classmates and create such special memories abroad.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Society of Women Engineers, Special Olympics Inclusion Crew, American Society of Civil Engineers, Honors Peer Mentor and Girl Gains.

– 11 –

COMPUTER ENGINEERING Jonathon Cowger Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: After graduation, I will start working as a Systems Engineer at L3Harris in Clifton, New Jersey.

Favorite Villanova Memory: One of my favorite Villanova memories was watching the Villanova Basketball team advance to the final four in the March Madness Tournament!

Groups and Activities at Villanova: While at Villanova I was a part of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. Additionally, I was a part of the Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu honor societies.

Finally, I took part in the Villanova Day of Service in 2022 and 2024.

Joseph DeMarco Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: After graduation I will be joining Lockheed Martin as a Software Engineer. As I gain experience, I hope to become an embedded software engineer and pursue a master’s within the first few years of my career.

Favorite Villanova Memory: My favorite Villanova memory was the Villanova Pastoral Musicians Christmas Concert. Being a musician, a singer in my case, and getting to be a part of a musical piece is a beautiful thing and uniquely touching. For our Christmas concert this past year, we offered some particularly touching pieces. Not only is our music impactful to us, but we also offer so much to the community.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Villanova Pastoral Musicians, Music Ministry, Knights of Columbus, Villanovans for Life, Center for Faith and Learning, Peer Ministry and Liturgical Minister: Lector, IEEE, CRCF CC* Committee.

– 12 –

COMPUTER ENGINEERING Jenna Fazio Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Future Plans: Starting in August, moving to Finland to Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), where I will obtain a master’s degree in Sociotechnical Systems and Sustainability Transitions through the Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Award run by the Fulbright Finland Foundation.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Traveling with VESL to Cambodia at the conclusion of my sophomore year was a transformative experience. Working on our project in rural schools and collaborating with our project partners allowed me to not only contribute to its success but also develop a passion for humanitarian work and sustainability within the field of engineering. The post COVID environment enhanced the significance of this experience, emphasizing the importance of seizing such opportunities and remaining open to new and impactful endeavors that may present themselves along the way.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Engineering in Medicine and Biology (VU EMB), IEEE HKN, NOVAdance, the Special Olympics, RUIBAL, Community and Outreach Villanova (COV), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), CEER PEERS, Best Buddies, intramural sports, Villanova Engineering Service Learning (VESL), Summer Business Institute (SBI), service and justice experience (SJE) and St Thomas Day of Service.

Griffin Schenker Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: Graduate School for a master’s in computer engineering.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Wells Fargo tailgates.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Pi Kappa Phi Risk Management Chair, Pi Kappa Phi Standards Chair, Tau Beta Pi Honors Society, Eta Kappa Nu Honors Society and Outdoors Club Climbing Club.

Lucas Yannul Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: Full-Stack Software Engineer at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Favorite Villanova Memory: Going to New Orleans to watch the basketball team play Kansas in the final four.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Club lacrosse, the Special Olympics, Rays of Sunshine, and Intramural sports.

– 13 –

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Michael Castelli Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: Complete graduate school and become a licensed engineer in the state of New York and mathematical modeling with machine learning.

Favorite Villanova Memory: The 2022 Final Four run and seeing all the Villanovans come together and support the basketball team at once. It was an electric time and the most exciting event I have ever been part of.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Villanova Campus Ministry and Villanova Music Ministry.

Stepan Gorelenkov Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Electrical Engineering Outstanding Student Award Future Plans: Radar Systems Engineer at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Lincoln Lab. Favorite Villanova Memory: In the first couple weeks of freshman year meeting so many people who were going to be my best friends in the next four years.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: I was Part of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, a captain on the Club ice hockey team, a member of the FSAE team until my junior year and conducted research with Professor Vaezi in my senior year.

Jacob Janavel Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: TBD Favorite Villanova Memory: Attending Tau Beta Pi’s Fall 2023 convention.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: IEEE and Japanese Culture.

– 14 –

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Michael Blandino Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Student Award Future Plans: I will be staying at Villanova next year to pursue my master’s degree in mechanical engineering as part of the department’s five-year BS/MS program.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Attending basketball games and watching the 2022 Final Four run.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity and Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society.

Andrea Cabot Sorrentini Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Future Plans: I will be joining McMaster-Carr full-time post-graduation as part of their management team.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Spending nights in with my roommates watching movies, painting, chatting, dancing, and falling asleep to coquí sounds.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: I was the co-chair for the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) and a volunteer for the Villanova Engineering, Science, and Technology Enrichment and Development (VESTED) program.

Joseph Carillo Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: Planning on getting a job after graduation and working in New York City.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Sophomore year during the NCAA tournament was so much fun because we were playing so well. Then we made the Final Four, and I went to New Orleans to watch us play.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Sigma Phi Epsilon, Fraternity Pi Tau Sigma, Mechanical Engineering Honors Society Tau Beta Pi, Engineering Honors Society

– 15 –

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Ryan Hodnett Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Future Plans: I have accepted a full-time offer to work at Lockheed Martin and, while working, I hope to complete a Master’s in Sustainable Engineering at Villanova University.

Favorite Villanova Memory: It’s really hard to just pick one memory out of four years full of them at Nova. Two of the best experiences I have had at Villanova so far were when I went to Panama and the Dominican Republic through VESL. I learned so much and met so many amazing people during those trips, and I’m thankful to have done something like that during college. Outside of academics, some of my favorite memories would have to be practicing with my intermural softball team (who has never won a game, at least not yet) and going to Quizzo every week with my friends.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Community Outreach at Villanova Co-leader, tour guide for guest speakers from the Mechanical Engineering Department, Society of Women Engineers Committee, Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society Work, Student coordinator for MATE ROV 2024 and teaching assistant for several Mechanical Engineering courses.

Andrew Lin Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: To be in the Navy for five years after graduation while also making myself and my parents happy, healthy, and safe.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Freshman year, playing pickup soccer for the first time with a bunch of people I never met. Sophomore year, getting dragged out of my room by my friends to watch the Villanova football game in the cold. Junior year, watching Superbowl with friends, Eagles were robbed in my opinion and finally senior year, TBD. Groups and Activities at Villanova: Badminton Club, Swim Club, Equestrian, United Asian Student Association, ASME, and Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute.

– 16 –

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Emily Orr Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: Working as a Mechanical Design engineer for Lockheed Martin’s Missile and Fire Control Division.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Winning the Big East tournament with my softball team.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Villanova Division 1 softball team, Team Impact Leader, Community Outreach of Villanova (COV), Peer tutor, undergraduate research, VESL, NovaCANE, Pi Tau Sigma and Tau Beta Pi. Jake Prochniak Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: I plan to get my Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at Villanova.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Studying abroad in Madrid.

Relay for Life.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Club Curling, Intramural Sports and

Kaya Robinson Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Robert D. Lynch Award Future Plans: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:1 Favorite Villanova Memory: Serving and advocating for immigration justice on the US-Mexico border with a group of Villanovans on a Service Justice Experience through the Villanova Center for the Common Good.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: VESTED Volunteer, Campus Ministry (SJE), ViaInternational, Habitat for Humanity, InterVarsity (Bible Study Leader), Villanova Voices Treble Chorus, Gospel Choir, A Cappella Group, Villanova Consulting Group (President), National Society of Black Engineers (Executive Board), Pi Tau Sigma (Tutor), Tau Beta Pi (Treasurer), VSB Council of Presidents and Blue Key Campus Ambassador.

– 17 –

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Will Stoval Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service Future Plans: Technical Sales Engineer at Keyence.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Winning 2nd place in the race in Michigan and celebrating that night with everyone else who put their hearts and souls into the car!

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Formula SAE and Rugby.

Eric Yablonski Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement Future Plans: Graduate School, accepted to Georgia Tech for Master’s in Aerospace Engineering, still deciding.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Hanging out in Corr Lounge with the boys.

We would always stop in, pop over to the chapel to pray and share philosophical arguments with each other over our homework.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Club Water Polo, Club Swimming, Knights of Colombus (KoC), Villanovans For Life (VFL), Villanova Engineering Service Learning (VESL), VUnited Scholars, Level, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Pastorals, ASME, Liturgical Council.

– 18 –

GRADUATE STUDENTS Simon Brooks Master of Science Student Award, Sustainable Engineering Future Plans: After completing the M.S. in Sustainable Engineering, I intend on continuing my academic studies, pursuing my PhD in Sustainable Engineering at Villanova University.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Presenting my Villanova story at the President’s Homecoming Reception in 2023 was an incredible experience I will never forget! It was particularly meaningful for me to celebrate that evening with both of my parents, Lulu and Peter.

What a fun night for Father Peter to meet my father, Peter!

Groups and Activities at Villanova: As a graduate student, I have been blessed to be involved with many opportunities here at Villanova. I have organized two TEDxVillanovaU Conferences, served on the University Council and Sustainability Leadership Council, served as a Graduate Student Peer Mentor, volunteered with Villanova’s VESTED Academy program, advise the Student Engineering Entrepreneurship Executive Board, served as the Engineering Co-Chair for the Doctoral Student Council, coordinated Villanova’s first Regional High School Sustainability Workshop with our new Office for Sustainability, facilitated graduate student interfaith dialogue at on-campus retreats, and served as the instructor for the “Science, Inquiry, and Self” section of Villanova’s first-year undergraduate student Communitas program.

Nayeon Kwak Master of Science Student Award, Civil and Environmental Engineering Future Plans: I will pursue a part-time Ph.D. program, continue with research, and gain some work experience.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Every year the Villanova Taekwondo Team put together a demonstration for the Villanova Asian Culture Expo and the process of preparing for that with my teammates and friends, as well as the performance itself, are some of my best memories. On the more academic side, my capstone project of working with Fairmount Water Works to help mitigate their debris compilation problem was also memorable. We were able to tour the site and communicate with Fairmount representatives, and it was particularly meaningful as it was the first time where a project, I worked on had real life application and consequences.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Club Sport Taekwondo, Institute of Transportation, St. Thomas of Villanova Scholars, Villanova Undergraduate Research and Fellowship.

– 19 –

GRADUATE STUDENTS Luke Molnar Master of Science Student Award, Civil and Environmental Engineering Future Plans: To pursue a career in transportation engineering.

Favorite Villanova Memory: Watching the Villanova men’s basketball team play in the Finneran Pavilion.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: NovaMobility Lab. Catherine Sharo Master of Science Student Award, Chemical and Biological Engineering Future Plans: I will be pursuing a career in biochemical engineering research. avorite Villanova Memory: Watching Villanova basketball games with F my friends!

Groups and Activities at Villanova: Working at Villanova University Shop, graduate student senate, teaching assistant, and research.

Bchara Sidnawi College of Engineering Outstanding Doctoral Student Award Future Plans: Pursue a career in research, focusing on combining firstprinciples mathematical modeling with machine learning.

Favorite Villanova Memory: The thrill and excitement surrounding the home team winning the NCAA Basketball championship in 2016 for the first time in 31 years.

Groups and Activities at Villanova: CEER Graduate Club and Villanova Day of Service.

Grace Sutoris College of Engineering Outstanding Master of Science Graduate Student Award Future Plans: Mechanical Engineer II at Shirely Ryan Ability Lab. avorite Villanova Memory: I have so many fond memories of Villanova F but some of my favorite moments were spending time with my friends in CEER. Groups and Activities at Villanova: APO, Phi Tau Sigma and the Special Olympics.

– 20 –