College of Engineering Honors Outstanding Students at Dean’s Awards Dinner

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. The Grand Challenges Scholar for the Class of 2023 was Laura Moore ’23 CE.

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. The recipient of the 2023 Engineering Entrepreneurship Student Achievement Award was Hailey DeVita ’23 CE.

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. The recipient of the inaugural Humanitarian Engineering Student Award was Hannah Jewess ’23 MSSE.

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. The recipients for 2023 were:

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. This year’s recipients were:

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. This year’s recipients were:

Robert E. White Chemical Engineering Award: Anna Catherine Unser ’23 ChE
Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Award: Sarah Slabe ’23 CEComputer Engineering Outstanding Student Award: Ana Ramos Guimaraes ’23 CpE
Electrical Engineering Outstanding Student Award: Nathan Onyejiaka ’23 EE
Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Student Award: Maria Tagliaferri ’23 ME

Outstanding Graduate Student Awards
The Outstanding Graduate Student Awards are presented in recognition of outstanding graduate research, leadership, and service to the College. The honorees for 2023 were:

Jared Anderson ’23 MSBChE
Nnamdi Chukwunenye ’22 MSME
Megan Copsey ’22 MSSE
Mahmid Saminur Rahman ’23 MSCE
Ryan Szlosek ’23 MSEE

College of Engineering Outstanding Master of Science Graduate Student Award
The College of Engineering Outstanding Master of Science Graduate 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. The 2023 recipient was Catherine Dager ’21 CE, ’22 MSCE, whose master’s thesis was titled “Beneficial Reuse of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Geotechnical Infrastructure.” She was advised by Dr. Jonathan Hubler and Dr. Kristin Sample-Lord.

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. The recipient of this year’s Outstanding Doctoral Student Award was Yue Qi ’22 PhD, whose dissertation was titled “Physical Layer Security in Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access.” She was advised by Dr. Mojtaba Vaezi.

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 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 2023 was Daniella Tagliaferri ’23 ME.