KU News Release

Students commended during engineering recognition ceremony

LAWRENCE — About 250 graduating students were honored by the University of Kansas School of Engineering at a ceremony May 20 in the Lied Center.

Several undergraduate students were recognized as the outstanding graduating senior in their particular disciplines. Tanner Rinke, a senior in mechanical engineering, received the Sammie and Carl Locke Award for an outstanding graduating senior in the School of Engineering in 2007.

The outstanding graduating seniors are:

Nathan Berg, petroleum engineering
Ryan Boehler, chemical engineering
Derek Gustafson, civil engineering
Lisa Matchulat, architectural engineering
William Miller, aerospace engineering
Cameron Lewis, electrical engineering
Tanner Rinke, mechanical engineering
Steven Tenny, computer engineering
Joel Van Eenwyk, computer science

Five faculty members also received awards during the event.

Bedru Yimer, professor of mechanical engineering, was selected by students to receive the Gould Award for Teaching. The award provides $4,000 for the recipient. Students said Yimer is passionate about his field and has the talent to convey that knowledge to students. His open-door policy lets students know the value he places on their interaction and education.

G. Paul Willhite, the Ross E. Forney Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, was selected by students to receive the Gould Award for Outstanding Advising. The award provides $4,000 for the recipient. Students within the department find his friendly nature and down-to-earth style endearing. As an adviser, he actively supports students who seek out more challenging courses, yet encourages students to find balance in their personal and academic lives.

Jie Han, associate professor of civil, environmental and architectural engineering, was selected by a faculty committee to receive the Miller Professional Development Award for Service. The award provides $4,000 for the recipient. Han joined the KU faculty in 2004 and has accrued a distinguished record of involvement with national and international geotechnical professional organizations. Han also has been involved with other departments across the KU campus.

Xue-Wen Chen, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science, was selected by a faculty committee to receive the Miller Professional Development Award for Research. The award provides $4,000 for the recipient. Chen has been integral to the formation of bioinformatics research initiatives in the School of Engineering. Chen, who this year was selected to receive the prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award, has been highly successful in attracting research funding and is associated with more than $2.7 million in research awards since arriving at KU in 2003.

Richard Hale, associate professor of aerospace engineering, was selected by a faculty committee to receive the John E. Sharp and Winifred E. Sharp Teaching Professorship. The award lasts three years and includes an annual personal award of $5,000 plus access to $5,000 annually for instructional development. Hale has worked with the aerospace engineering faculty to strategically align its teaching and research missions and demonstrates passion for his own continuous improvement in the classroom. Hale gives his students a preview of workplace dynamics through unique learning-based experiences.

Engineering student award winners are listed below by hometown, degree, parents’ names, high schools and award.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044
Joel Van Eenwyk, bachelor’s degree in computer science; outstanding graduating senior in computer science.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66209
Steven Oliver Tenny, bachelor’s degree in computer engineering with minors in music and physics, son of Robert Tenny and Diane Tenny; Blue Valley North High School; outstanding graduating senior in computer engineering.

From Olathe 66062
Ryan M. Boehler, bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, son of Mike and Jana Boehler; Olathe East High School; outstanding graduating senior in chemical engineering.

From Overland Park 66212
Derek Paul Gustafson, bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, son of Pam Gustafson; Shawnee Mission West High School; outstanding graduating senior in civil engineering.

From Shawnee 66216
William A. Miller, bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, son of Donald and Luba Miller, Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; outstanding graduating senior in aerospace engineering.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
From Independence 67301
Nathan A. Berg, bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering, son of Rusty and Tresa Baker; Independence Senior High School; outstanding graduating senior in petroleum engineering.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Derby 67037
Tanner Jeffrey Rinke, bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, son of Tracy Henseler; Derby High School; Sammie and Carl Locke Award for outstanding graduate in the School of Engineering and outstanding graduating senior in mechanical engineering.

MASSACHUSETTS
From Cambridge 02140
Cameron S. Lewis, bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, son of W. Jeff and Angelia Lewis; Olathe East High School, Olathe, Kan.; outstanding graduating senior in electrical engineering.

WISCONSIN
From Brookfield 53005
Lisa Marie Matchulat, bachelor's degree in architectural engineering, daughter of Ted and Karen Matchulat; Brookfield Central High School; outstanding graduating senior in architectural engineering.

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