Purdue ME Student Awards
Recognizing student excellence at every level
The School of Mechanical Engineering is pleased to announce the following awards, given to deserving sophomore, junior, and senior undergraduate students. These students have demonstrated academic excellence, exemplified personal integrity, and exercised involvement in the community of Purdue University.
Anyone (staff, faculty, students) can nominate a student! Deadline is Friday, March 10!
2022
- Senior: Jennifer Ascher
- Junior: Jack Walsh
- Sophomore: Sajon Seaberg
2021
- Senior: Tanmay Das
- Junior: Marcus Lannie
- Sophomore: Meredith Meyer
2020
- Senior: Emily Nadler
- Junior: Abby Grillo
- Sophomore: Jordan Harris
2019
- Senior: Kaan Ardic
The John M. Starkey Prize in Mechanical Engineering
The John M. Starkey Prize in Mechanical Engineering celebrates the top all-around graduating ME senior every year, as exemplified by the school’s core values of Character and Personal Integrity, Academic Excellence, and Community Engagement and Leadership. The award comes with a cash prize of $3,000. Must meet the following criteria:
- Outstanding contribution to the School of Mechanical Engineering
- Demonstrated leadership and involvement
- Record of academic excellence
The John M. Starkey Prize in Mechanical Engineering is named after John Starkey, who served as a professor in Mechanical Engineering from 1982 to 2017. He served as faculty advisor for Purdue's SAE auto racing teams, and also director of the ME463 senior design capstone class, where he oversaw the final Purdue experience for hundreds of students.
Frederick Morse Award for Outstanding Juniors
Presented to a student in junior level curriculum (they must have taken ME 309, ME 365, and ME 323); based on dedication to the School of Mechanical Engineering, in recognition of leadership within the community and department; examples of leadership include: club involvement, mentoring program, co-op/internship opportunities, etc. The award comes with a cash prize of $1,000. Must meet the following criteria:
- Outstanding contribution to the School of Mechanical Engineering
- Demonstrated leadership and involvement
- Record of academic excellence
The Outstanding Junior Award is named after Frederick Morse, who served as a professor in Mechanical Engineering from 1947 to 1985. He is best known for creating Purdue's first cooperative education (co-op) program in 1954, and in the decades since, guiding hundreds of students through their first work experiences.
George Elwood Rhoads Award for Outstanding Sophomores
Presented to a student in sophomore level curriculum (they must have taken ME 200, ME 270, and ME 290); based on dedication to the School of Mechanical Engineering, in recognition of leadership within the community and department. The award comes with a cash prize of $500. Must meet the following criteria:
- Outstanding contribution to the School of Mechanical Engineering
- Demonstrated leadership and involvement
- Record of academic excellence
The Outstanding Sophomore Award is named after George Elwood Rhoads, who graduated from Purdue Mechanical Engineering in 1900; the funds were provided by his son, Albert B. Rhoads (BSME 1933).
Interested in funding a Purdue ME Student Award?
Do you want to fund future awards to recognize the best and brightest Purdue Mechanical Engineering students? Contact Javan Greeson at (765) 494-9769, email him at wjgreeson@prf.org, or donate online today (and specify Student Awards!)