Purdue EEE students, faculty, staff, corporate partners, and members of the External Advisory Council (EAC) came together April 25, 2024, to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of EEE this year. Seniors in EEE 480 displayed their semester long projects, undergraduates and graduates received scholarships and honors, faculty members were recognized, and supporters of EEE were graciously thanked.

Click here for access to downloadable versions of all EEE Recognition Night photos.

Keep reading for award winners, photo highlights, and honorable mentions.

Senior Design Students at 2024 Recognition Night.

SENIOR DESIGN

The highlight of Recognition Night is the presentation of EEE's Senior Design Projects to faculty, corporate representatives, students, and family members. This year, 15 student teams worked with sponsors to address real-world challenges under the guidance of real clients. These team-based, experiential learning projects provide students with the professional development experience of a technical internship while sponsors gain exposure and an innovative solution to a problem within their organization. 

2024 SENIOR DESIGN TEAM WINNER: Rush Medical Blood Testing Life Cycle Analysis

Students: Joe Adcock, Gus Castle, Hunter Dymond, Matthew Gilman
Project Sponsors: Dr. Ami Shah, Katie Pittman, Sarch Beckwith
Topic: As part of Rush University Medical Center's efforts to reduce their environmental impact and reach carbon neutrality, Rush has asked this team to conduct a Life Cycle Assessment of the blood testing process used at their facility. 

2024's winning team members Joe Adcock (second from left), Matthew Gilman (center), Gus Castle (second from right), and Hunter Dymond (right) pose with John Mulrow (Visiting Professor EEE) (left) and their Senior Design Poster at 2024 Recognition Night. 

2024 SENIOR DESIGN TEAM HONORABLE MENTION: Evonik Waste Steam Alternate Management

Students: Catie Fleming, Jasper Jones, Thomas Loveland, Kate Vecchio
Project Sponsors: Glynis Boone, Martin Cotterman, Vincent Leo
Topic: Evonik's goal is to improve inefficiencies and reduce pollutant emissions in multiple of the facility's waste streams.

Left to right: Vincent Leo (Evonik Team Sponsor), Thomas Loveland, Jasper Jones, Catie Fleming, Kate Vecchio, Glynis Boone (EEE EAC Member, Evonik Environmental, Safety, Health Manager), and Martin Cotterman (Evonik Team Sponsor) pose with their poster.

2024 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING DESIGN EXPO SUSTAINABILITY AWARD: Microsoft Cloud Infrastructure Analysis

Students: Ella Brodt, Jack Dinnon, Sarah Niednagel, Max Songsaispan
Project Sponsors:  Justin Richter, Microsoft Senior Sustainability Impact Manager
Topic: This team was tasked with performing a comprehensive analysis of the elements within cloud infrastructure and the corresponding environmental implications. 

Left to right: Max Songsaispan, Ella Brodt, Sarah Niednagel, Jack Dinnon smile with their Sustainability Award from the College of Engineering and Purdue Engineering Student Council (PESC). 

UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS

In 2020, EEE introduced the Wangari Maathai, Gaylord Nelson, and Rachel Carson awards. These awards recognize the excellence and potential future excellence of students who have demonstrated academic achievement and engaged leadership related to sustainability and the environment in harmony with the mission of EEE. 

PARTNERS FOR POLLUTION PREVENTION SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Emma Santos

Theresa Colson, Indiana Executive Director for Partners for Pollution Prevention (left) awards Emma Santos (right) with her scholarship at 2024 Recognition Night.  

2024 EEE OUTSTANDING SENIOR: Griffin Laihinen

Griffin Laihinen (right) is awarded a plaque for 2024 EEE Outstanding Senior from Dr. Lindsey Payne (left). 
 

Watch Griffin Laihinen's nomination video for EEE Outstanding Senior!

GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS

FACULTY AWARDS 

2024 SEEE INSTRUCTIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD: Dr. Chad Jafvert

The Society of Environmental and Ecological Engineers, 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 EEE undergraduate degree program vote for an 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.

Dr. Chad Jafvert (left) poses with his SEEE Instructional Excellence Award plaque with Christopher Dunlap (President of the Society of Environmental and Ecological Engineers) (right) at 2024 Recognition Night. 

2023 OUTSTANDING FACULTY MENTOR: Dr. Brady Hardiman

This award is given annually to a faculty member from each academic unit in the College of Engineering based on the recommendation by graduate students.

Dr. Brady Hardiman (right) is congratulated for being named EEE's 2024 Outstanding Faculty Mentor by EEE Graduate Student Association President, Christopher Copeland (left).
 

Congratulations to all of Purdue EEE's 2024 award winners!