UW College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Award Recipients Honored

The University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Physical Sciences recently held its annual awards banquet at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center.

The banquet is coordinated annually by the Tau Beta Pi engineering student honor society, this year under the leadership of President Alexander Nichols, of Craig, Colo., and Vice President Thomas Sullivan, of Casper, with support from college staff members Mindy Zwieg and Laurie Bonini, as well as Tau Beta Pi faculty adviser Steven Barrett, UW's vice provost for undergraduate education.

The event boasted a record number of guests -- so many, in fact, that the committee had to request a new room to accommodate them shortly before the banquet.

This year's banquet featured the theme "Starry Night" and brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and supporters of the college to honor the accomplishments of outstanding contributors who have made an impact on the college, the state of Wyoming and beyond.

Nichols and Sullivan presided over the awards ceremony, with remarks from Interim Dean Danny Dale and Barrett. Two groups of awards are distributed from among nominations received -- those selected by Tau Beta Pi members and those selected by a committee from the college.

Many dedicated supporters of the college were in attendance, including a representative of the newly established Russell Jay Sasakura Memorial Scholarship, whose recipients, Adrian Ruth, of Erie, Colo., and Zane Rothfuss, of Laramie, also were announced at the event.

Award winners honored during the banquet included:

-- Joint Engineering and Physical Sciences Council Student of the Year and Special Award of Merit: Paula Medina, a civil engineering and environment and natural resources major from Cody and Quito, Ecuador.

-- Wyoming Engineering Society Student of the Year: Isabelle Harvey, a chemical engineering major from Baldwin City, Kan.

-- Tau Beta Pi Outstanding Contributor: Nichols, a mechanical engineering major.

-- Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award: Daniel Rau, assistant professor, mechanical engineering.

-- Tau Beta Pi Staff Award: Ike Ruse, senior engineer, mechanical engineering.

-- Outstanding Staff Award: Annie Cowger, career coach, career services.

-- Sam Hakes Outstanding Graduate Teaching and Research Award: Karen Wawrousek, associate professor, chemical engineering.

-- Tau Beta Pi Wyoming Eminent Engineer: Patrick McManus, structural engineering principal for Martin/Martin Engineering.

-- Wyoming Eminent Physical Scientist: James Dahill, chief engineering geologist for the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

-- Tau Beta Pi Outstanding Alumnus Engineer: Geoffrey Luke, associate professor, Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College.

-- Alumnus Eminent Physical Scientist: Richard Clark, professor of meteorology emeritus, Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

-- Distinguished Engineer/Scientist: Dr. Kim Westbrook, obstetrics and gynecology, Ivinson Memorial Hospital, and founder of Ivinson Medical Group Women's Health Clinic and Ascent Medical Spa.

-- Hall of Fame: Trent McDonald, president and founder, McDonald Data Sciences.

-- Distinguished Service Award: Laurie Bonini, student advising manager, Susan McCormack Center for Student Success.