Held in April in conjunction with the American Nuclear Society at Illinois Student Chapter organization, the NPRE event recognizes students for earning awards from the Department, College of Engineering, campus, national organizations and corporate partners. The event is sponsored in part by the Edward E. Mineman Memorial Endowment Fund. NPRE alumnus Edward F. Mineman, BS 84, and his brother Blaine A. Mineman, AB 85, Political Science, MBA 87, established the fund to honor their father.
NPRE Departmental Awards
The NPRE Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards to a Graduating Senior are presented to graduating seniors with the highest cumulative grade point averages
- Justin D. Weberski of Saint Charles, IL
The NPRE Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awards are presented to undergraduate students who have performed exemplary research in the Department.
- Daniel J. O’Grady of Evergreen Park, IL
- Zhiee Jhia Ooi of Malaysia
- Jeremy J. Mettler of Sioux Falls, SD
- Kathryn A. Mummah of Wheaton, IL
The Roy A. Axford Undergraduate Scholarship, honoring NPRE Professor Roy A. Axford, is presented to a continuing student of high academic ability and achievement.
- Daniel J. O’Grady of Evergreen Park, IL
The George H. Miley/Low Energy Nuclear Reactions (LENR) Undergraduate Scholarship, honoring NPRE Prof. George H. Miley, is presented to a highly motivated, continuing undergraduate student in the Department.
- Steven A. Stemmley of Bethalto, IL
The Barclay G. Jones Graduate Fellowship supports graduate fellowships in NPRE. In a grass-roots effort, several alumni and friends established this fund in honor of Professor Jones, an icon of the University of Illinois nuclear engineering program since its inception. Professor Jones earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, and made his career here, helping to shape the present day department. The Barclay G. Jones Endowment Fund is the continued effort of NPRE graduates who also established the Catherine Pritchard Undergraduate Scholarship.
- Vineet Kumar of Chennai, India
American Nuclear Society Student Chapter Awards
The Student Chapter of the American Nuclear Society selects the ANS Undergraduate Outstanding Service Award recipient. The undergraduate student who has most actively supported the ANS Student Chapter and its programs throughout the academic year is honored.
- Aristidis T. Loumis of Champaign, IL
The Student Chapter of the American Nuclear Society selects the ANS Graduate Outstanding Service Award recipient. The graduate student who has most actively supported the ANS Student Chapter and its programs throughout the academic year is honored.
- Jake T. McLain of Lockport, IL
American Nuclear Society National Awards
2016 ANS Student Conference Awards (See separate story for complete list.)
2015 ANS Decommissioning & Environmental Sciences Division Undergraduate Scholarship
Scholarship:
- Kathryn A. Mummah of Wheaton, IL
Nuclear Regulatory Commission - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Nuclear Engineering Scholarship and Fellowship Program
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission directs this program that includes support for education in nuclear science and engineering, to develop a workforce capable of supporting the design, construction, operation, and regulation of nuclear facilities and the safe handling of nuclear materials.
Scholarships:
- Matthew E. Kabelitz of Northbrook, IL
- Daniel C. Martin of Glencoe, MO
- Jeremy J. Mettler of Sioux Falls, SD
- Emilio M. Mondragon of Arlington Heights, IL
- Kathryn A. Mummah of Wheaton, IL
- Dhruval K. Patel of Hanover Park, IL
- Eric J. Riewski of Champaign, IL
- Grant M. Schumock of Geneva, IL
- Andrew J. Shone of Saint Charles, IL
- Michael J. Benedict of Darien, IL
- Kevin J. Chowaniec of Willowbrook, IL
- Peter M. Conway of Lemont, IL
- Quincy R. Crawford of Mahomet, IL
- Nicholas J. Dadufalza of Seven Valleys, PA
- Steven J. Jensen of Mount Prospect, IL
- Daniel J. O’Grady of Evergreen Park, IL
- Joseph N. Rajchwald of Glenview, IL
- Steven A. Stemmley of Bethalto, IL
Fellowships:
- Joseph L. Bottini of Framingham, MA
Continuing Fellowships:
- Peter A. Mouche of Naperville, IL
- Jacob B. Stinnett of Champaign, IL
- Carolyn A. Tomchik of Buffalo Gove, IL
- Nathan P. Walter of Evanston, IL
Exelon Corporation - Energy for Education Scholarship
- Shanna M. Bobbins of Bedford, NH
- Aristidis T. Loumis of Champaign, IL
- Adewale A. Adeyinka of Hoffman Estates, IL
National Academy for Nuclear Training Institute of Nuclear Power Operations
The Academy’s fellowship and scholarship program – started by the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations shortly after the Three Mile Island accident – served the industry well for 35 years by supporting students and furthering the knowledge and skills needed to sustain and effectively operate the industry. The NANT program was discontinued this year as other government – and utility – sponsored academic assistance programs have been established to encourage and support students and nuclear engineering and science programs. The students listed below represent the last fellows and scholars in the program in NPRE.
Scholarships:
- Kathryn A. Mummah of Wheaton, IL
Fellowship:
- Katherine C. Hepler of Urbana, IL
U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Energy University Program Scholarship
The U.S. Department of Energy awards Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) Scholarships and Fellowships to undergraduates pursuing nuclear energy-related engineering and science degrees.
Scholarship:
- Kathryn A. Mummah of Wheaton, IL
Continuing Fellowship:
- Nicholas W. O'Shea of Chicago, IL
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Nuclear Science Symposium/Medical Imaging Conference
Graduate student Andrew N. Groll of Hardwood Heights, IL, won Third Place, Best Paper Competition among 130 student submissions at the IEEE NSS/MIC in fall 2015.
A paper by graduate student Xiaochun Lai of Shanghang, People's Republic of China, was selected as Finalist for Best Student Paper Award at the IEEE NSS/MIC in fall 2015. Lai submitted “First Sub-500μm-Resolution Simultaneous SPECT/MRI Imaging with the MRC-SPECT-I: An Ultrahigh Resolution MR-Compatible SPECT System Using Highly Pixelated Semiconductor Detectors.”
Emeritus Prof. Barclay G. Jones, Jones Fellow Vineet Kumar, and Department Head Jim Stubbins
Graduate student Xiaochun Lai of Shanghang, People's Republic of China was recognized with Second Place, Best Poster Presentation Award, for his poster on the group’s development of simultaneous imaging using Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Graduate students Jonathan George of Bolingbrook, IL, and Andrew Groll of Hardwood Heights, IL, both were picked to be among the top five finalists and were recognized with Honorable Mentions in competition for the Young Investigator Award in the SNMMI Conference’s Computer and Instrumentation competition.
Lam Research Corporation
Lam Research Corporation, a Fremont, California, company that is the leading supplier of wafer fabrication equipment and services to the global semiconductor industry, has recognized graduate student Jason Peck with an Outstanding Graduate Student Award.
- Jason A. Peck of Fairview Heights, IL
Consortium for Nonproliferation Enabling Capabilities (CNEC)
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration CNEC’s goal is to become the preeminent research and education hub dedicated to the development of enabling technologies and technical talent for meeting present and future grand challenges in nuclear nonproliferation. The education and training of graduate students who are actively involved in research relevant to nonproliferation is a key component of the CNEC mission.
Fellowship
- Karl A. Roth of Martinton, IL
College of Engineering at Illinois, University of Illinois Scholarships, Awards and Honors
Dren Qerimi of Joliet, IL, and Nirali P. Shah of Skokie, IL, were selecred for the Fred A. Eggers Engineering Scholarship, established in 1981 in honor of Mechanical Engineering alumnus Fred A. Eggers.
Zoe R. Richter of Manito, IL, was selected for the Wilmer Hellenthal Scholarship, established in 1993 in honor of Mechanical Engineering graduate Wilmer Hellenthal.
Kevin J. Chowaniec of Willowbrook, IL, was selected for the Phillip Lazzara Memorial Scholarship, established in 2003 by the Lazzara Family Foundation.
Karla Del Cid-Ledezma of Rio Rancho, NM, was selected for the Robert M. Stephens Engineering Scholarship, made possible by an estate gift from Newlyn C. Stephens to honor the memory of her husband.
The Illinois Scholars Undergraduate Research (ISUR) Program offers selected students a two-semester experience with a research learning community. Through ISUR, students become familiar with research methodologies, develop research skills, gain exposure to what graduate school entails, and gain experience needed for graduate school acceptance. ISUR scholars present their research in an annual expo held in the spring. Dan G. Strat of Lincolnwood, IL, was selected for the 2015-16 academic year, and Jazz D. Kroeger of Washington, IL, and John B. Smith III of Saint Charles, IL, have been selected for the 2016-17 academic year.
Senior Shanna Bobbins of Bedford, NH, has been chosen as a 2016 Knight of St. Patrick. Each year, the College honors 10-15 students who have demonstrated leadership, excellence in character, and exceptional contribution to the College and its students. The award is among the highest honors an Engineering at Illinois student can receive.
Kathryn A. Mummah of Wheaton, IL, has been selected for the William R. Schowalter Award that the student-operated Engineering Council presents to recognize leadership skills, creativity, and encouragement of others through activities and dedication to the College of Engineering at Illinois. Mummah also was selected for the campus-level Edith and Harry Darby Leadership Scholarship. The Darby Award is based on outstanding academic merit, as well as high achievement and excellence in campus leadership. It is expected that the winners will hold leadership positions in the upcoming academic year.
PhD candidate Abhishek Jaiswal of Kathmandu, Nepal, was selected as a Computational Science & Engineering (CSE) Fellow for his work on glass-forming metallic liquids. Advised by Assistant Prof. Yang Zhang, Jaiswal wants to develop a quantitative understanding of the atomic-scale dynamics of glass-forming metallic liquids.
Andrew N. Groll of Hardwood Heights, IL, and Daniel T. Elg of Rantoul, IL, have been accepted as Mavis Future Faculty Fellows for the 2016-17 academic year. The MF3 Program in the College of Engineering was developed to facilitate the training of the next generation of great engineering professors. The three main components to the MF3 Program are research, teaching and mentoring.
Alpha Nu Sigma Society
ANS established Alpha Nu Sigma as a national honor society with the objective to recognize high scholarship, integrity, and potential achievement in nuclear science and engineering.
Spring 2016 Initiates
- Jin Whan Bae of Champaign, IL
- Carlos Felipe Bedoya Arroyave of Valle del Cauca, Colombia
- Andreas M. Giakas of Rockford, IL
- Matthew E. Kabelitz of Northbrook, IL
- Brandon T. Lee of Hermosa Beach, CA
- Kathryn A. Mummah of Wheaton, IL
- Dhruval K. Patel of Hanover Park, IL
- Eric J. Riewski of Champaign, IL
- Jifu Zhao of Urbana, IL
- Yuhui Zhao of Chicago, IL
Continuing Members:
- Joseph L. Bottini of Framingham, MA
- Zhikun Cai of Jiaomei Town, China
- Michael M. Cheng of Chicago, IL
- Michael P. Christenson of Champaign, IL
- Quincy R. Crawford of Mahomet, IL
- Daniel T. Elg of Wheaton, IL
- Peter R. Fiflis of Indian Head Park, IL
- Mikhail S. Finko of Clarendon Hills, IL
- Jonathan George of Bolingbrook, IL
- Abhishek Jaiswal of Kathmandu, Nepal
- Steven J. Jensen of Mount Prospect, IL
- Aveek S. Kapat of Oviedo, FL
- Xiaochun Lai of Shanghang, People's Republic of China
- Xiang Liu of Zhongxiang, Hubei, China
- Daniel C. Martin of Glencoe, MO
- Benjamin C. Masters of Urbana, IL
- Jeremy J. Mettler of Sioux Falls, SD
- Peter A. Mouche of Naperville, IL
- Daniel J. O’Grady of Evergreen Park, IL
- Nicholas W. O'Shea of Chicago, IL
- Jason A. Peck of Fairview Heights, IL
- Pawel A. Piotrowicz of Chicago, IL
- Priya Raman of Chennai, India
- Nathan C. Reid of Naperville, IL
- Xia Sang of Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Joseph A. Serio of West Chicago, IL
- Steven A. Stemmley of Bethalto, IL
- Matthew M. Szott of Orland Park, IL
- Carolyn A. Tomchik of Urbana, IL
- Jan P. Uhlig of Chicago, IL
- Justin D. Weberski of Saint Charles, IL
- Xu Wu of Urbana, IL
- Weicheng Zhong of Champaign, IL
- Christian D. Zircher of Burr Ridge, IL
University of Illinois Chancellor’s Scholars
Chancellor’s Scholars are strongly motivated, academically gifted students who excel in leadership. Students participate in honors seminars, attend Scholar Adventurers presentations, and participate in social, intellectual and cultural activities, plus maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.
- William R. Brockschmidt of Jacksonville, IL
- Quincy R. Crawford of Mahomet, IL
- Luke A. Hanselman of Monticello, IL
- Parth P. Patel of Huntley, IL
- Zoe R. Richter of Manito, IL
- James M. Stearns of Elgin, IL
University of Illinois James Scholars
This honors program is named for the fourth president of the University, Edmund J. James who believed that scholarship and research are fundamental to human progress. During his presidency, from 1904-1920, he brought world-class scholars to campus, developed graduate programs, and fostered community among faculty and students. He helped build Illinois's international reputation.
- Adewale A. Adeyinka of Hoffman Estates, IL
- Bilal Arshad of Astoria, NY
- Adolfo Baca of Addison, IL
- Joseph L. Bottini of Framingham, MA
- William R. Brockschmidt of Jacksonville, IL
- Peter M. Conway of Lemont, IL
- Quincy R. Crawford of Mahomet, IL
- Karla M. Del Cid-Ledezma of Rio Rancho, NM
- Siobhan M. Fox of Oak Lawn, IL
- Luke A. Hanselman of Monticello, IL
- Steven J. Jensen of Mount Prospect, IL
- Justin V. Joseph of Glenview, IL
- Brandon T. Lee of Hermosa Beach, CA
- Daniel C. Martin of Glencoe, MO
- Jeremy J. Mettler of Sioux Falls, SD
- Kathryn A. Mummah of Wheaton, IL
- Raymundo Muro-Barrios of New Lenox, IL
- Daniel J. O’Grady of Evergreen Park, IL
- Parth P. Patel of Huntley, IL
- Joseph N. Rajchwald of Glenview, IL
- Nathan C. Reid of Naperville, IL
- Xia Sang of Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Austin J. Schmidt of Sycamore, IL
- Grant M. Schumock of Geneva, IL
- Jack T. Stahl of Arlington Heights, IL
- Steven A. Stemmley of Bethalto, IL
- Dan G. Strat of Lincolnwood, IL
- Justin D. Weberski of Saint Charles, IL
- Yuhui Zhao of Chicago, IL
Engineering at Illinois Dean’s List
Eligible undergraduates must have achieved a GPA for a given semester that places them in the top 20 percent of their college. The following listing is for Spring and Fall 2015.
- Jin Whan Bae of Champaign, IL
- Joseph L. Bottini of Framingham, MA
- Peter M. Conway of Lemont, IL
- Siobhan M. Fox of Oak Lawn, IL
- Tanner J. Garcia of Bud Valley, IL
- Andreas M. Giakas of Rockford, IL
- Luke A. Hanselman of Monticello, IL
- Alexander A. Hrabski of Naperville, IL
- Steven J. Jensen of Mount Prospect, IL
- Matthew E. Kabelitz of Northbrook, IL
- Aveek S. Kapat of Oviedo, FL
- Christopher T. Keckler of Naperville, IL
- Timothy J. Kelly of Prophetstown, IL
- Brandon T. Lee of Hermosa Beach, CA
- Xinyao Liang of Beijing, China
- Caleb E. McEwen of Chicago, IL
- Jake T. McLain of Lockport, IL
- Jeremy J. Mettler of Sioux Falls, S
- Cody D. Moynihan of Milstadt, IL
- Ibrahim H. Mustaly of Naperville, IL
- Kenneth D. Nash of Libertyville, IL
- Daniel J. O’Grady of Evergreen Park, IL
- Zhiee Jhia Ooi of Malaysia
- Gyu Tae Park of Pusan, South Korea
- Parth P. Patel of Huntley, IL
- Joseph N. Rajchwald of Glenview, IL
- Zoe R. Richter of Manito, IL
- Eric J. Riewski of Champaign, IL
- Xia Sang of Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Grant M. Schumock of Geneva, IL
- Nirali P. Shah of Skokie, IL
- John B. Smith III of Saint Charles, IL
- Dan G. Strat of Lincolnwood, IL
- Justin D. Weberski of Saint Charles, IL
- Benjamin P. Wegloski of Downers Grove, IL
To view more photos of NPRE's 2016 Honors Banquet, go to NPRE’s Facebook page.