College Recognizes Exceptional Seniors at Dean’s Award Event
Though the venue and menu changed, the number of guests was limited, and the temperatures dipped well below average for this time of year, the Dean’s Awards event was a welcome opportunity to celebrate in person the accomplishments of graduating seniors in the College of Engineering. Held on the campus green surrounded by fire pits and food trucks, the annual ceremony traditionally recognizes recipients of Academic Excellence and Meritorious Service Awards. In addition, because the College convocation will not be held this year, the winner of the Robert D. Lynch Award and departmental medallions—the highest honor in each major—were also acknowledged, as were four students who were designated as Grand Challenge Scholars.
All of these students and their post-grad plans will be featured on the College’s social media throughout the month of May (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter).
Grand Challenge 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; developing the perspectives and skills needed to find solutions to real and urgent problems; and offering a clear view to future jobs that matter and the opportunities in engineering.
At Villanova University, the GCSP focuses on five challenges that build upon the College’s research expertise by: making solar energy economical; providing access to clean water; engineering better medicines; securing cyberspace; and restoring and improving urban infrastructure.
The Grand Challenges Scholars for the Class of 2021 are:
Simon Brooks, ChE
Bridget LaSala, CE
Siobhan Merrill, CE
Aldo Pierini, CE
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 2021 Robert D. Lynch Award recipient: Simon Brooks, ChE
Departmental Medallions
The criteria used in determining the winner of the department medallion 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.
Chemical Engineering: Samantha Bragen
Civil Engineering: Edward Bolte
Computer Engineering: Rachel Voloshin
Electrical Engineering: Shannon Culloo
Mechanical Engineering: Aarya Deb
Samantha Bragen: Robert E. White Chemical Engineering Award
Shannon Culloo: Electrical Engineering Outstanding Student Medallion
Edward Bolte: Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Medallion
Simon Brooks: Robert D. Lynch Award
Rachel Voloshin: Computer Engineering Outstanding Student Medallion
Aarya Deb: Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Student Medallion
Academic Excellence
The Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence 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.
Christopher Alfonso, ME
Bryan Blasband, CE
Edward Bolte, CE
Samantha Bragen, ChE
Nicholas Broderick, CE
Samantha Ciappa, ChE
Anthony Colarusso, ChE
*Shannon Culloo, EE
Rocco D'Ascanio, ChE
*Aarya Deb, ME
Michael DiGiacomo, CpE
*Anthony Edem Etim, EE
Jane Guignon, ME
William Hubschmitt, EE
Seung Yeon “Amanda” Jeong, CpE
Kaixuan Ji, EE
Alex Kalaigian, ChE
Evan Kohlsaat, ME
Bridget LaSala, CE
Seth Lionetti, ME—also recognized with the ME Research Award
Jonathan Maino, ME
Noelle Parisi, CE
Jordan Pauls, EE
*Aldo Pierini, CE
John Saffian, ME—also recognized with the ME Academic Distinction Award
*Lauren Scalice, CpE
*Landon Skinner, ChE
*Rachel Voloshin, CpE
Meritorious Service
The Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service was established to recognize exceptional service to the College of Engineering as reflected in sustained extra-curricular or service activities. Selected students have demonstrated noteworthy leadership in one or more activities.
Hannah Booz, CE
Simon Brooks, ChE
Elizabeth Carter, CpE
Annette Ciecierega, ME—also recognized with the ME Service Award
*Shannon Culloo, EE
*Aarya Deb, ME
*Anthony Edem Etim, EE
Felicity Evans, ME
Emily Galik, ME
Spencer Gold, ME
Sophia Haska, ChE
Elizabeth Holmes, ChE—also recognized as Outstanding Senior by the Delaware Valley AiChE chapter
Kamarie Jewette, CE
Alexander Luna, CE
Siobhan Merrill, CE
*Aldo Pierini, CE
*Lauren Scalice, CpE
Noah Seng Delong—also recognized as Outstanding Senior by the Philadelphia ACS Chapter
*Landon Skinner, ChE
Katelyn Valsamedis, ChE
*Rachel Voloshin, CpE
*Recipients of both the Academic Excellence and Meritorious Service Awards