The fifth class of Purdue Engineering Fellows was announced during a ceremony on Sept. 11 at Fowler Hall. Pictured (from L-R): Ben Pekarek, Zach Logar, Jennifer Short, Kayla King, Arvind Raman, Griffin Laihinen, Bob Buckman, Rithika Athreya, Jake Marr and Alyssa Wilcox.

Ben Pekarek, a student in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is one of seven seniors selected for the fifth group of Purdue Engineering Fellows.

Pekarek has been heavily involved in the Purdue Engineering Student Council (PESC) since his first semester on campus. In 2022, Pekarek became the director of the Industrial Roundtable Career Fair for PESC. Through that role, he had the opportunity to lead seven of his peers to operate a three-day career fair, connecting over 400 companies with more than 12,000 Purdue students. This past year, as PESC’s president, Pekarek’s focus has been the implementation of a more modern and equitable system for student organizations to accept payments.

Pekarek has also been a BGR team leader and has done research in the Power Electronics lab for the past two semesters. After college, he plans on attending graduate school in electrical engineering.

Each Engineering Fellow will be awarded $20,000 upon graduation and may use the money in any desired endeavor. The gifts are made possible through the generosity of benefactors Robert H. Buckman (BSChE ’59) and his wife, Joyce A. Mollerup, to open windows of opportunity for special engineering students who make a difference and deserve to be celebrated.

“The greatest satisfaction we have ever had is watching other people grow to be the best that they can be,” said Buckman. “The Purdue Engineering Fellows are those that best display that distinction at this time.”

Students were nominated as juniors by faculty and staff. A committee made the final decision on the class.

Source: Seven graduating seniors selected as Purdue Engineering Fellows, to receive $20K