Aerospace Engineering Honors Outstanding Students

7/11/2013 Susan Mumm

Aerospace Engineering alumni were honored during the AE Awards Banquet.

Written by Susan Mumm

AE recognized several of the Department’s undergraduate and graduate students this spring with awards for their scholastic achievement and other contributions.

AIAA Scholastic Achievement Award, to the senior graduating in May 2013 with the highest class GPA —Paul R. Schlais of Gurnee, IL, and, graduating in December 2013 – Jennifer A. Roderick of Taylor Ridge, IL.

Paul R. Schlais (Left), Jennifer A. Roderick (Right)
Paul R. Schlais (Left), Jennifer A. Roderick (Right)
Paul R. Schlais (Left), Jennifer A. Roderick (Right)

H.S. Stillwell Memorial Award, to students showing outstanding scholastic achievement and contributions in extracurricular activities — Xichen Shi of Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, and David J. Hanley of Orland Park, IL.

The H.S. Stillwell Memorial Award was established in honor of Professor H.S. (Shel) Stillwell. At the age of 27, Professor Stillwell founded the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Illinois in 1944. He served as department head at Illinois for 32 years. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, he served as Head of the Aeronautical Engineering Department at the University of Kansas prior to coming to Illinois. Professor Stillwell was influential in the design of the first ramjet-powered missile and was highly respected for his contributions to aerospace engineering education.

Xichen Shi (Left), David J. Hanley (Right)
Xichen Shi (Left), David J. Hanley (Right)
Xichen Shi (Left), David J. Hanley (Right)

H.S. Stillwell Problem-Solving Scholarship, to a junior-level student majoring in aerospace engineering who exhibits exemplary problem-solving skills — Derek Chen of Edison, NJ.

This scholarship was set up by a generous alumnus as a tribute to H.S. Stillwell and the role he played as a mentor to students.

Derek Chen
Derek Chen
Derek Chen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert W. McCloy Memorial Award, to a junior or first-semester senior student in recognition of outstanding academic performance —Brandon P. Boyce.

Professor McCloy was the first faculty member hired in the new Dept of Aeronautical Engineering. He was known for his research and teaching in propulsion and for his pioneering work in jet propulsion.

Brandon P. Boyce
Brandon P. Boyce
Brandon P. Boyce

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dale Margerum Memorial Award, to the AE undergraduate who exemplifies outstanding leadership qualities by participation in departmental extracurricular activities — Braven C. Leung of Glenview, IL, and Akash A. Shah of Mumbai, India.

Dale Margerum was a 1979 graduate who died in an accident the summer after graduation. He was very involved in extracurricular activities.

Braven C. Leung (Left), Akash A. Shah (Right)
Braven C. Leung (Left), Akash A. Shah (Right)
Braven C. Leung (Left), Akash A. Shah (Right)

Jo Ann Haynes Platt & Daniel Wall Platt Memorial Award, to the AE sophomore, junior or senior female undergraduate James Scholar and/or Chancellor’s Scholar studying aerospace engineering — Sapna V. Patel of Carol Stream, IL

Sapna V. Patel
Sapna V. Patel
Sapna V. Patel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lee H. Sentman III Scholarship, presented annually to an Aerospace undergraduate student based on academic achievement – Jessica T. Lauzon of Sandwich, IL

Jessica T. Lauzon
Jessica T. Lauzon
Jessica T. Lauzon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AE Academic Scholarship, a 4-year scholarship awarded to an incoming freshman based on outstanding academic performance — Melanie A. Ciancio of Villa Park, IL; Jessica K. Gonzalez of Homewood, IL; and Kelsey R. White of Downers Grove, IL.

From left to right; Melanie A. Ciancio; Jessica K. Gonzalez; and Kelsey R. White
From left to right; Melanie A. Ciancio; Jessica K. Gonzalez; and Kelsey R. White
From left to right; Melanie A. Ciancio; Jessica K. Gonzalez; and Kelsey R. White

 

Rockwell-Collins Scholarships, awarded to sophomore or junior-level AE students in recognition of outstanding academic performance. – Jason B. Allen of Arlington Heights, IL; Brian J. Gardas of Chicago, IL; and Kyle C. Pieper of Henry, IL

From left to right; Jason B. Allen; Brian J. Gardas; Kyle C. Pieper
From left to right; Jason B. Allen; Brian J. Gardas; Kyle C. Pieper
From left to right; Jason B. Allen; Brian J. Gardas; Kyle C. Pieper

Illinois Space Grant Scholarships, awarded by the NASA Illinois Space Grant Consortium to entering and continuing undergraduate students based on academic performance — Brandon P. Boyce of Crystal Lake, IL; Yolanda M. Dionicio of Evanston, IL; Leonardo T. Gomes of Naperville, IL; Erik A. Lopez of Los Angeles CA; Jennifer A. Roderick of Taylor Ridge, IL; and Paul R. Schais of Gurnee, IL

From Clockwise; Brandon P. Boyce of Crystal Lake, IL; Yolanda M. Dionicio of Evanston, IL; Leonardo T. Gomes; Erik A. Lopez; Jennifer A. Roderick; and Paul R. Schais
From Clockwise; Brandon P. Boyce of Crystal Lake, IL; Yolanda M. Dionicio of Evanston, IL; Leonardo T. Gomes; Erik A. Lopez; Jennifer A. Roderick; and Paul R. Schais
From Clockwise; Brandon P. Boyce of Crystal Lake, IL; Yolanda M. Dionicio of Evanston, IL; Leonardo T. Gomes; Erik A. Lopez; Jennifer A. Roderick; and Paul R. Schais

 

Roger A. Strehlow Memorial Award, to a graduate student in recognition of outstanding research accomplishment — William P. Flaherty of Tyngsboro, MA.

The award is presented annually to honor Professor Strehlow, who joined the aero faculty in 1961. His background was in chemistry, and he was an acknowledged expert in the field of detonations and explosions. He also made significant contributions toward the understanding of the structure, stability, and extinction of laminar premixed flames. He was an early advocate of microgravity combustion research and successfully characterized the extinction and flammability states of flames under microgravity conditions. Professor Strehlow was the first AIAA Fellow in the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

William P. Flaherty
William P. Flaherty
William P. Flaherty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faculty Outstanding Graduate Award, in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Department’s teaching and/or research missions —Aishwarya Stanley of Savoy, IL

 

Aishwarya Stanley
Aishwarya Stanley
Aishwarya Stanley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenneth Lee Herrick Memorial Award, presented annually to a graduate student in recognition of outstanding research and academic performance —Daniel V. Uhlig of Urbana, IL

Daniel V. Uhlig
Daniel V. Uhlig
Daniel V. Uhlig

 

 

 

 

 

 

AE Alumni Advisory Board Fellowship, presented annually to a graduate student in recognition of outstanding research, academic performance, and research accomplishments —Phillip J. Ansell of York, PA

Phillip J. Ansell
Phillip J. Ansell
Phillip J. Ansell

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illinois Space Grant Fellowship, presented to entering and continuing graduate students by the NASA Illinois Space Grant Consortium and based on academic and research performance – Joan M. Stupik of Higganum, CT; Marianne C. Monastero of North Bellmore, NY; and Jorge A. De la Mata of Palmetto Bay, FL

From left; Joan M. Stupik; Marianne C. Monastero;Jorge A. De la Mata
From left; Joan M. Stupik; Marianne C. Monastero;Jorge A. De la Mata
From left; Joan M. Stupik; Marianne C. Monastero;Jorge A. De la Mata

H.S. Stillwell Fellowships, presented annually based on merit to income graduate students – Robyn L. MacDonald of Urbana, IL; Andrew McKenzie of Irivine, CA; Xichen Shi of Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; and Eliot I. Wycoff of Urbana, IL

AE students also recently have garnered awards from several other organizations.

College of Engineering Boeing Scholarships Manue Jr Martinez of Chicago, IL; Jessica K. Gonzalez of Homewood, IL; Derick A. Carnazzola of Libertyville, IL; and Michael S. Miller of Forsyth, IL

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program Fellowship Marianne C. Monastero of North Bellmore, NY

Bronze Tablet Awards, recognizing high academic achievement and awarded to the top 3 percent of undergraduate students across the U of I campus. The names of this select group of students are inscribed on bronze tablets displayed on the first floor of the Main Library ­- Jeffrey B. Lawson of Bloomington, IL; Paul R. Schlais of Gurnee, IL; and Xichen Shi of Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

National Space Club Keynote Scholarship – Erik A. Lopez of Los Angeles, CA

ARCS Foundation Scholar Award – Michael R. Dorothy of Champaign, IL

Mavis Memorial Fund Fellowship Award ld of Chalfont, PA; and Galina V. Shpuntova of Naperville, IL

Illinois Engineering Enhanced Scholarship – Daniel L. Bill of Romeoville, IL, and Jessica Lauzon of Sandwich, IL

Engineering Excellence Scholarship – David R. Brandyberry of Mahomet, IL, and Jacob R. Dluhy of Riverside, IL

Illinois Engineering Achievement Scholarship – Jessica K. Gonzalez of Homewood, IL

Illinois Engineering Premier Scholarship – Christopher G. Lorenz of Urbana, IL; Michael s. Miller of Forsyth, IL; and Jeffrey D. Pekosh of West Chicago, IL

SURGE (Support for Under-Represented Groups in Engineering) Fellowships – Rebecca Foust of Columbia, MD, and Christopher C. Herrera of Urbana, IL

Graduate College Fellowship – Christopher C. Herrera of Urbana, IL

NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Training – Hongan Mary Nguyen of Urbana, IL

(More photos can be viewed on the Aerospace Engineering Facebook Page).


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This story was published July 11, 2013.