UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science Honors Its Highest Achievers

For the second year in a row, each month this academic year, the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) will recognize one of its junior or senior upper classmen as an Engineer of the Month. This award honors the college’s strongest achievers in the classroom, on the job, in professional organizations, around campus and in the community.

On Wednesday night, some of this year’s Engineers of the Month gathered to meet and mingle with the dean and to be recognized for their hard work. During the meeting, Interim Dean Teik C. Lim addressed the Engineers of the Month, “You, as Engineers of the Month, have been recognized by your professors and peers as one of the most outstanding groups of students the college and the university have to offer. In addition to excelling both academically and professionally, you also make extraordinary contributions to your community. I’m proud to have you represent the College of Engineering and Applied Science—you are the prime example of how WE ENGINEER BETTER™.”

Each of the following high caliber students has demonstrated an extraordinary level of achievement and excellence in the classroom, on the job, and in campus and community life and has received strong co-op endorsements from faculty as well as employers. Just as in last year, each of the students will be recognized during UC athletic games on scoreboards throughout the year.

The College of Engineering and Applied Science salutes their efforts and recognizes the Engineers of the month for 2013-14:

• AUG   Nicholas Schwartz, Aerospace Engineering – ACCEND

• SEP     Michael Cline, Mechanical Engineering – ACCEND

• OCT    Cameron Ingram, Biomedical Engineering

• NOV   Thaddeus Voss, Electrical Engineering

• DEC    Peter Strawman, Construction Management

• JAN     Elizabeth DeBenedictis, Mechanical Engineering

• FEB     James Lucas, Chemical Engineering

• MAR   Kyle Flenar, Aerospace Engineering – ACCEND

• APR    Ryan Stanley, Mechanical Engineering – ACCEND

• MAY   Paul Keppler, Electrical Engineering Technology 

• JUNE   Yue Zhao, Computer Engineering

• JULY    Alex Stenger, Construction Management

Not only have these students consistently maintained a high grade point average but also a high level of community involvement.

Nicholas Schwartz is a member of several organizations including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the UC Racquetball Organization. He is a choir flutist at St. Monica-St. George Parish, and he is a volunteer for Cincinnati Parks.

Michael Cline is a member of several organizations including Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma, the Engineering and Mechanical Engineering honor societies, and he has conducted undergraduate research on airflow control in low-pressure turbines as part of the AY-REU program, which is a partnership between the National Science Foundation and UC. Michael also volunteers at the SPCA Cincinnati.

Cameron Ingram acts as president, communications chair, and treasurer of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES). He has also served as a CEAS Ambassador and worked with the CEAS Tribunal as part of the Freshman Engineer Leadership Program.  

Thaddeus Voss is an IEEE executive member, serving as secretary and class of 2015 representative. He has served as vice president, events chair and creative chair for UC CEAS Ambassadors and is the Eta Kappa Nu Honors Society vice president.

Peter Strawman is involved as a student leader in several organizations, serving as president of the UC Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) and secretary for the Construction Student Association and the American Concrete Institute.

Elizabeth DeBenedictis is an active member of several student organizations, serving as a correspondent and representative for Tau Beta Pi, a peer tutor and teaching assistant for the Freshman Engineering Program and as a middle school outreach volunteer with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

James Lucas is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and Bearcat Buddies and has served as president of ChemE Car and as chair of the ChemE Car Competition during the AIChE Conference.

Kyle Flenar is actively involved in several activities including Relay for Life, Masters Swim Team, Hall Opening Team, Engineering Ambassadors, the Engineering Tribunal and AIAA.

Ryan Stanley is a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and has served as house manager and fundraising chair. He serves as treasurer on the University Funding Board as well as several other committees including the Resident Hall Association, the Engineering Tribunal, the Technology Committee and the Collegiate Affairs Committee.  He also serves as a representative for the Student Advisory Committee on the University Budget.

Paul Keppler served with distinguished honor in the United States Navy as Nuclear Electrician for six years. He is president of the Basic Utilities Club in CEAS and has tutored SECS students to prepare for the Lego Robotic Competition for the past two years. 

Yue Zhao is a dedicated tutor who has tutored UC students and homeless high school students in math every week through Boys Hope Girls Hope Cincinnati AmeriCorps. He is the founder of the Asian Volunteer Organization, has volunteered at PRM Primary School, Granny Garden School and Gabrial Place, and helped to rebuild apartments destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

Alex Stenger is the president and founder of the college’s first student chapter of the American Concrete Institute (ACI), a member of the Tau Alpha Pi and Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Societies and was an Eagle Scout of America.

Anne Hoehn, CEAS academic director, adds, “We are pleased to announce and showcase all of our Engineers of the Month from the outset as they are now able to make appearances together throughout the year. We’re especially excited to honor this phenomenal group during CEAS Night at 5/3rd Arena on Jan. 23, 2014. The students will take center court during a special half-time ceremony during the UC - UCF Basketball game, and we’re hopeful that our college and the university as a whole will come to support our future leaders.”

The college salutes each student on their selection as Engineer of the Month and congratulates each for their exemplary achievements!