2025 Dean's Award Dinner
The College of Engineering will recognize outstanding seniors and graduate students from the Class of 2025 at the 50th annual Dean’s Awards Dinner, to be held Thursday, April 3, at Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova.
Class of 2025 Student Awardees
Autria Sarvar Aidun, CHE
Alex Philip Alcalay, ME
Darien R. Alston-Baldwin, CPE
Ryan Jeffrey Apple, ME
Liam Matthew Baker, CPE
Jack Andrew Bakey, ME
Sadie Helen Callahan, CE
Kathryn Marie Collins, CE
Daniel Joseph Comeau, CE
Kristina Cooper, CE
Liam Joseph Coster, EE
Samuel C. Coulon, ECE
Rosslyn Cueva, CHE
Matthew John DeMarco, CPE
Nicholas Alexander Der Garabedian, CHE
George Gerard Divone, CE
Mia Rose Farina, ME
Elizabeth Vera Feczko, ME
Alexander Fink, CPE
Andrew James Gigantino, CE
Ellen Carol Hagerty, CE
Lauren Christie Iskander, CHE
Kathryn Suzanne Ix, CPE
Robert J. Jackson III, ME
Joseph Patrick Koebbe, ME
Samson Mungai Koinange, SUSE
Jonathan Liu, EE
Catherine Ann Marino, CE
Riley McCarry, ME
Michael Francis McNally, CE
Maria Katerina Medori, CE
Sofia Anne Nicastro, CHE
Daelyn Chiemela Nwaobasi, ME
John O'Loughlin, ME
Julian Sergio Pastor, CHE
Dallianny Perez Lantigua, CE
Sarah Petrus, CHE
Haritha Rajaram, CBE
Ariana Yazira Rojas, CPE
Mohamed Moustafa Ahmed Fathi Said, CE
Derrek James Samuels, ME
Melissa Silva, ME
Matthew John Silvi, ME
Emily Grace Sommers, ME
Claire Kathryn Steckley, CHE
Luke Armstrong Truscott, ME
Christian Tsai, ME
Jackson Davies Tucker, ME
Josh Umenyiora , CPE
Troy Daniel White, CE
Michael Rostislav Wojtenko, CHE
Elsaid Youssef, ME
Jillian Marie Zeiger, EE
Liang Zhao, ME
Villanova Engineering Dean's Awards
Descriptions as of Spring 2025
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; by developing the perspectives and skills needed to find solutions to real and urgent problems; and by offering a clear view to future jobs that matter and the opportunities in engineering.
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 3.5 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
The Engineering Entrepreneurship Student Achievement 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
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.
Academic Achievement
The Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement was established to recognize outstanding academic performance by a graduating senior. The Dean presents this award to students in the top 10% of their major at the end of the fall term.
Meritorious Service
The Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service was established to recognize exceptional service to the College of Engineering as reflected in sustained extracurricular or service activities. Selected students demonstrated noteworthy leadership in one or more activities.
Department Medallions
The criteria used in determining the winners of the department medallions include academic achievement as indicated by the cumulative and technical grade point averages, as well as the quality and consistency of the co-curricular contributions that the student has made to the College and the department.
Departmental Master of Science Student Awards
These department-level awards are presented in recognition of outstanding graduate research, leadership, and service to the College.
College of Engineering Outstanding Master of Science Student Award
The College of Engineering Outstanding Master of Science Student Award is 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 and the College of Engineering.
College of Engineering Outstanding Doctoral Student Award
The College of Engineering Outstanding Doctoral Student Award is 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.
Robert D. Lynch Award
The Robert D. Lynch Award was instituted in 2003 in honor of the Dean of the College of Engineering from 1975 to 2000. Sponsored by the Villanova University Engineering Alumni Society, this prestigious award 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. The Robert D. Lynch Award recipient for the Class of 2024 was Kaya Robinson ’24 ME.