Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE) Outstanding Senior Award

Lauren Kennedy (BSEEE, May 2015) received the Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE) Outstanding Senior Award at the EEE commencement reception on May 9, 2015. The recipient is selected based on academic performance, leadership, service, and professional activities.

The awardee is selected by the EEE faculty and receives a plaque; the recipient's name will also be placed on permanent display to serve as an inspiration for future students. Lauren received the award from Prof. Nies. Lauren received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and began graduate school at the University of California at Berkeley in fall 2015.  Through her Ph.D., Lauren hopes to improve water treatment methods in developing countries. Congratulations Lauren!

Society of Environmental and Ecological Engineering (SEEE) Instructional Excellence Award Awarded

Professor John Howarter, Assistant Professor in Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE) and Materials Engineering, received the 2014-15 Society of Environmental and Ecological Engineering (SEEE) Instructional Excellence Award at the EEE commencement reception on May 9, 2015. The award was presented by Sarah Gillespie, vice president of SEEE. This award recognizes an EEE faculty member for outstanding achievement in the area of teaching.

Students in the EEE undergraduate degree program vote for an outstanding instructor based on the faculty member's commitment to student success, ability to effectively communicate material to students, and desire to motivate students to learn. The awardee receives a plaque and their name is placed on permanent display. Congratulations Prof. Howarter!

Nadya Zyaykina, won the New Employee College of Engineering Award

Nadya Zyaykina, Laboratory Manager, won the College of Engineering New Employee Award. Dr. Zyaykina holds a joint position with Civil Engineering and Environmental and Ecological Engineering and supports the environmental laboratories in Hampton. One of the criteria for this award is "shows a positive attitude in dealing with the University family/community". The winner was announced at the College of Engineering Staff Awards Banquet on Dec. 4.

Dr. Zyaykina’s nomination states “Dr. Zyaykina has an infectiously positive attitude. She faces a “never-will-be-completed” list of items to be addressed in her position. Since her position was vacant for some time prior (years) to her arrival the start-up phase was daunting. Instead of being overwhelmed she took charge and has astonished everyone with how quickly she has turned a disaster into a professional operation. Nadya is keenly concerned with maintaining a positive and supportive environment.”  Another faculty member mentions, “I also strongly believe that Nadya is making a strong effort to connect the environmental students, faculty, and staff with each other. This has been clearly demonstrated by her desire to have hallway displays of each group’s research efforts and pictures of group members. She is thus one of the primarily catalysts towards developing a strong community within our group, especially since the group has grown rapidly in the last two years.”

Congratulations to Dr. Zyaykina for being the College of Engineering New Employee in 2015.