The University of South Carolina will host the annual Awards Day ceremony to honor
student excellence on Thursday, April 21 at 2 p.m. at Colonial Life Area. College
of Engineering and Computing students from each of the 10 undergraduate programs will
be recognized for their achievements. Five mechanical engineering students will be honored at this ceremony for their hardwork and academic acheievements.
Dean’s Award for Outstanding Leadership
Nominated by faculty or staff, the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Leadership recognizes a graduating senior for significant contributions to the CEC. The award
recipient has provided outstanding leadership to a CEC student organization and has
positively impacted the college’s brand through service as a CEC ambassador.
Katrina Wohlgemuth, Mechanical Engineering
“Earning the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Leadership means so much to me because I
have been pouring my heart into leadership since my freshman year by always trying
to grow in my leadership abilities and encourage others to do the same. Receiving
an award for being a leader helps me see that others have noticed the time and effort
I have put into my student organizations.
The CEC has helped enhance my leadership skills by providing over 40 student organizations.
I have been the most involved in the Society of Women Engineers, starting as social
chair and finishing as president. Through the CEC, I have also been able to participate
in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the CEC Peer Mentoring Program, the
CEC Ambassador Program, and have even been the secretary for the Society of Hispanic
Professional Engineers.”
Outstanding Senior Awards
The UofSC Outstanding Senior Awards are given by the CEC to graduating seniors from each degree program. Recipients are
faculty recommended and selected based on demonstrated academic excellence, undergraduate
research participation, and active involvement in the college and university community.
Kiersten Crouse, Mechanical Engineering
“I am very appreciative that the college ensures hard work does not go unnoticed.
I am so grateful to be recognized for my endeavors and hope to inspire other women
in engineering to work hard and know that they can succeed. I am honored to further
represent UofSC when working in industry following graduation.
The CEC urges students to participate in experiences outside of the classroom such
as undergraduate research. I have been fortunate to have guidance from two amazing
mentors, Dr. John Eberth and Ph.D. candidate Colton Kostelnik. They have both made
a large, positive impact on my professional development by encouraging my involvement
in three research grants since freshman year. Having two mentors that genuinely care
about the real-world impact of our research, as well as sharing their passions with
me, has been monumental in my success in this field.”
Nicholas Kozma, Aerospace Engineering
“Earning the CEC Outstanding Senior Award is recognition of the work I have put into
my academics and the connections I have made along the way.
The CEC has helped me achieve my goals of getting hired out of college. A career fair
allowed me to connect with Bosch, and I completed two rotations before being offered
a permanent position effective this summer. Dr. [Mostafa] Mobli and Dr. [Wout] De
Backer have helped me tremendously in my pursuit of becoming a capable engineer. Their
ability to make extremely complex topics digestible to anyone is a skill I hope to
adopt.”
South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers Outstanding Senior Awards
The South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers Outstanding Senior Awards are given to graduating seniors in seven CEC degree programs. Recipients are faculty
recommended and selected based on demonstrated academic excellence and contributions
to the engineering profession.
Igor Kiyanitsyn, Aerospace Engineering
“The SCSPE award led me to recognize my achievements and the work I have done along
the way. It symbolizes the success I've observed not only in my academic career, but
also in helping the UofSC community.
The aerospace engineering program prepared me to become a professional engineer and
a citizen of good ethics and moral character. Without the help of influential professors
and mentors such as Dr. Mustafa Mobli, Dr. Wout De Backer, and the McNAIR team, I
would not have learned these valuable lessons.”
Rachel Slattery, Mechanical Engineering
“Earning the SCSPE award means that my hard work has not only paid off but has been
appreciated by others. I have worked extremely hard in my studies and jobs, and to
accept this award for the Mechanical Engineering Department is a true honor.
The professors within the department have been incredibly helpful throughout these
past four years. I appreciate their quick responses to emails and willingness to answer
questions. I would like to personally thank Dr. [Odell] Glenn and Dr. [Andrew] Sabalowsky
for their nominations. They are both fantastic professors that want their students
to learn and succeed.”
