ASCE-MN Awards CEGE Students
Every April ASCE-MN honors students for their achievements in academics, leadership, and service. Several students from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities received awards in the Spring 2020. (The annual banquet could not be held because of COVID-19.) Jia-Liang Le, President of ASCE-MN, noted in his message about these awards that "Our student members are the future of ASCE."
Congratulations to these CEGE students!
Activities Awards
MEGAN MCDEVITT
"In recognition of her involvement with the ASCE chapter as Department Liaison, fostering stronger connections with CEGE faculty, and of her appreciated service to the Department as Outreach coordinator"
Megan McDevitt is a rising senior studying civil engineering with a transportation emphasis at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She is originally from Rochester, Minnesota, and is an intern in the transportation group at WSB. One of her favorite parts of college is being part of the UMN chapter of ASCE, where she currently serves as the Department Liaison.
KYLE RACHEL
"In recognition of his sustained contributions as officer to the ASCE chapter activities, and for being a role model of student excelling in the classroom while remaining actively involved with student activities"
Kyle Rachel is a senior in Civil Engineering emphasizing in structures. He is interning at HNTB this summer and returning to the University of Minnesota this fall to pursue a Master's in structural Civil Engineering. He has been involved in ASCE since his sophomore year and has held multiple officer positions.
RAUOF ABEIDI
"In recognition of his broad service to the ASCE chapter as event coordinator and specifically of his contributions to the chapter's growing recruiting efforts”
Rauof Abeidi is an international student from Libya, who transferred to the University of Minnesota in the fall of 2019 to study civil engineering with an emphasis in transportation. He has been involved with various clubs and groups on campus, but dedicated the most time to ASCE. He enjoys the culture and environment within the student chapter and took on a leadership position as soon as he was able. He has been very involved in event and activity planning.
Outstanding Student Awards
CARLY DAUGHERTY
"In recognition of her sustained academic excellence and her research and professional work at the intersection of structural engineering and fluid mechanics"
Carly Daugherty is graduating in the spring of 2020 with a major in Civil Engineering and minor in mathematics. This past year, she spent most of her days either on a wind farm completing a co-op experience with Xcel Energy or in the Civil Engineering building planning the formwork for a concrete bridge pour with her Capstone team. After graduation, she is looking forward to kicking off her career as a Structural Engineer with New Hudson Facades.
DOMINIC DIVITA
"In recognition of his vibrant interests for environmental studies, showing a deep understanding of their important implications for the natural resources in which we live"
Dominic DiVita is a third-year Environmental Engineering student at the University of Minnesota. He has been working in water quality related research for a year and a half, and is interested in pursuing a career in water-related engineering or research. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and spending lots of time outdoors, as well as playing and listening to music.
HENRY MEEKER
"In recognition of his remarkable ability to excel in the classroom while being actively involved with research in the area of environmental engineering and while navigating successfully the heavy demands of a student athlete"
Henry Meeker is a junior studying civil engineering at the University of Minnesota. His intent is to graduate with an environmental emphasis and go into water resources engineering. He is a member of the University of Minnesota men's gymnastics team and Tau Beta Pi. He expressed thanks "to all of the people in my life that have pushed me to be my best self and helped me receive this award."
WILLIAM ZUNKER
"In recognition of his outstanding academic record and of his remarkable research efforts and performance, showing uncommon drive, intellectual maturity, and spirit of entrepreneurship"
William Zunker finished his junior year within the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering at UMN. This upcoming 2020-2021 school year he will complete his Bachelor of Civil Engineering. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in either solid mechanics or geomechanics with the eventual goal of becoming a professor. "My desire to pursue higher education and an academic research career has been fostered by the exceptional Civil Engineering program at UMN and my research experience there. In particular, I would like to thank my P.I., Professor Stefano Gonella, for his mentorship and his unyielding enthusiasm for engineering, which have been pivotal in my growth as a student."
Goodman Award
KYLE KUCHARSKI
"In recognition of his academic excellence, his extraordinary leadership with the ASCE student chapter and to his continued service as an ambassador to our department community at large"
Kyle Kucharski graduated (virtually) in May. He graduated with High Distinction and a degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Structures. His undergraduate experience is largely encapsulated by his involvement with student organizations, culminating with being President of the UMN ASCE Student Chapter and President and Founder of the first ever AISC Student Club. Supplementing his education with extensive professional involvement and leadership, he plans to take these connections, lessons, and skills into the workforce this summer.
*Story adapted from ASCEMN newsletter (Volume 54, No. 3, Spring 2020)