The 2020 Simon and Claire Benson Award

ALISHA RADSTAKE received the 2020 Simon and Claire Benson Award, which is presented to a CEGE student whose performance is judged to be outstanding in a manner that exceeds academic achievement alone. The recipient of the Simon and Claire Benson Award is chosen by faculty. Students are nominated, evaluated, and interviewed.

With this award, CEGE recongnizes the most outstanding student of the graduating class, and at the same time, remembers two outstanding alumni who have left a longlasting and inspirational legacy. The award is named in memory of two outstanding CEGE undergraduates, a brother and a sister, who were tragically killed in a car accident in August of 1986.

Alisha Radstake was chosen unamimously from among several highly deserving candidates. She is graduating with a major in Civil Engineering and a minor in Urban Studies. She excelled in the classroom throughout her four years, as demonstrated by her outstanding GPA. She as been heavily involved in many student organizations and volunteering events. It is especially worth mentioning her involvement with Interdisciplinary Transportation Student Organization (ITSO). She has been involved with undergraduate research in the area of aviation transportation under the guidance of Professor Mihai Marasteanu studying snow removal strategies at airports. Next, her interests will take her to the University of California Berkeley where she will pursue a Master’s degree with a focus on transportation in aviation.