Dr. Nies

Prof. Nies is the recipient of the 2016 Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award in Memory of Charles B. Murphy.  The Murphy Award is the highest undergraduate teaching honor and includes induction into Purdue’s Teaching Academy which provides leadership for the improvement of undergraduate, graduate, and outreach teaching.  A quote from a former student gives us a glimpse into the influence Prof. Nies has had on his students:  “Dr. Nies was the first professor that I had throughout four years of college to actually care what I was doing with my career after college and what I was doing both inside and outside of the classroom. Dr. Nies really encouraged me to take responsibility when I was a peer TA and gave me encouragement to eventually become a professor. My college experience was enhanced by his ability to make me pursue my potential. I will be forever grateful for the lessons he taught me both inside and outside of the classroom”.

Dr. Blatchley

Dr. Blatchley received the College of Engineering Engagement/Service Excellence Award. Dr. Blatchley was recognized for his work on service-learning related to “Water Supply in Developing Countries”. More information can be found here.

Outstanding Senior

EEE has an annual award that is conferred each academic year by the faculty of EEE to recognize the excellence of one member of the senior class.  This award, the Environmental and Ecological Engineering Outstanding Senior Award, is selected based on academic performance, leadership, service, and professional activities. The recipient is selected by the EEE faculty and will receive a plaque; their name will also be placed on perpetual display to serve as an inspiration for future students.  The 2016 recipient is Melinda Gerhart (BSEEE, May 2016).  Melinda plans to attend School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University.

SEEE Instructional Excellence Award

The Society of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, or SEEE, Instructional Excellence Award recognizes an EEE faculty member for outstanding achievement in the area of teaching with an emphasis on the past academic year. Students in the Environmental and Ecological Engineering 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.  The 2016 recipient is Prof. Larry Nies.

EEE EAC Scholarship Recipient

The inaugural recipient of the EEE EAC Scholarship is Steven Cardenas.  Steven will be a senior in EEE next year. Steve has demonstrated leadership in multiple domains at Purdue. Within EEE he was part of the Slow Sand Filter Global Design team and contributed to the technical accomplishment of designing a new unit which can treat 200 liters of water per batch (a 10x improvement over previous designs). Beyond EEE Steve also served as a floor senator in his dorm for two years; was a Boiler Gold Rush team leader, and is a volunteer teacher at the Clear River Church in Lafayette. Steve’s internship experiences have focused on energy efficiency and Lean Manufacturing. Steve is the type of student who is always ready to respond to a challenge. His positive attitude is contagious.

Other Awards and Honors

This year's EEE recipient of the Magoon Award, which recognizes outstanding graduate teaching assistants is Taisha Venort.  Marisa Henry (BSEEE 2015) received the Gates Cambridge Fellowship.  Jake Hawes and Mark Rodriquez were finalists for the Udall Scholarship. Jake Hawes also received a scholarship from Black & Veatch.  Three EEE students served as College of Engineering Ambassadors:  Steven Cardenas, Marisa Henry, and Andrew Yacinthe.  Kaitlin Harris is the undergraduate representative on the College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council.