Over 90 students were recognized during the 2015 NPRE & ANS Honors Banquet.
Held in April in conjunction with the American Nuclear Society Student Chapter organization, the NPRE event recognizes students for earning awards from the Department, College of Engineering, 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
- Louis J. Chapdelaine of Eagan, MN
- Jonathan D. Rolland of Sayville, NY
- April R. Novak of Downers Grove, IL
The NPRE Outstanding Undergraduate Research Awards are presented to undergraduate students who have performed exemplary research in the Department.
- Christopher T. Keckler of Naperville, IL
- Jake T. McLain of Lockport, IL
- Dan G. Strat of Lincolnwood, IL
The Catherine Pritchard Undergraduate Scholarships, honoring former NPRE secretary Catherine Pritchard, are presented to students who have shown academic ability and activities leadership during their first three years, to be used during the senior year of study.
- Shanna M. Bobbins of Bedford, NH
- 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.
- Justin D. Weberski of Saint Charles, 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.
- Brandon T. Lee of Hermosa Beach, CA
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.
- Shanna M. Bobbins of Bedford, NH
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.
- Andrew N. Groll of Champaign, 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:
- Michael J. Benedict of Darien, IL
- Joseph L. Bottini of Framingham, MA
- 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
- Christopher T. Keckler of Naperville, IL
- Daniel J. O’Grady of Evergreen Park, IL
- Joseph N. Rajchwald of Glenview, IL
- Steven A. Stemmley of Bethalto, IL
Continuing Scholarships:
- Mikhail S. Finko of Clarendon Hills, IL
- Christopher A. Kuprianczyk of Chicago, IL
- April J. Novak of Downers Grove, IL
- Nicholas Rivera of Chicago, IL
Continuing Fellowships:
- Peter A. Mouche of Naperville, IL
- Aaron J. Oaks of Brea, CA
- Jacob B. Stinnett of Champaign, IL
- Nathan P. Walter of Evanston, IL
- Carolyn A. Tomchik of Buffalo Grove, IL
Exelon Corporation - Energy for Education Scholarship
This scholarship program was established to encourage talented students interested in a career with Exelon Corporation. Exelon has been honored as the “Top Utility in the World” by Platt’s Publication, “the nation’s leading utility
This scholarship program was established to encourage talented students interested in a career with Exelon Corporation. Exelon has been honored as the “Top Utility in the World” by Platt’s Publication, “the nation’s leading utility and energy services company” by Business Week, and “Best of Breed” by Forbes.
- Kevin J. Chowaniec of Willowbrook, IL
- Steven J. Jensen of Mount Prospect, IL
- Kathryn A. Mummah of Wheaton, IL
- Lauren E. Roby of Flossmoor, IL
National Academy for Nuclear Training Institute of Nuclear Power Operations
In 1980, INPO decided to help provide a supply of entry-level engineers to fill future nuclear industry employment needs. With utilities’ support, the National Academy for Nuclear Training was established to award scholarships and fellowships to engineering students demonstrating academic achievement and interest in nuclear power careers.
Scholarships:
- Kathryn A. Mummah of Wheaton, IL
- Jonathan D. Rolland of Sayville, NY
Fellowship:
- Christopher A. Kuprianczyk of Chicago, IL
U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Energy University Program Scholarship
The U.S. Department of Energy awards NEUP Scholarships to undergraduates pursuing nuclear energy-related engineering and science degrees.
Scholarships:
- Kathryn A. Mummah of Wheaton, IL
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Nuclear Science Symposium & Medical Imaging Conference
NPRE graduate student Andrew N. Groll’s paper won fourth place among 1,500 student submissions at the IEEE NSS/MIC in November. Groll’s presentation, “Hybrid Pixel-Waveform (HPWF) CdTe and CZT Detectors for Sub-500 Um Resolution PET Imaging Systems,” concerned an effort to optimize high spatial resolution in semiconductor detectors for applications in medical imaging.
- Andrew N. Groll of Champaign, IL
College of Engineering at Illinois Scholarships
Wilmer Hellenthal was a 1940 graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, having earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Due to his generosity the Wilmer Hellenthal Scholarship Fund was established in 1993 to help future students and to confirm Mr. Hellenthal’s commitment to the future of Engineering at Illinois.
- Zoe R. Richter of Manito, IL
The Schlader Memorial Scholarship in Engineering Fund was established in 1957 to honor the memory of Theodore H. Schlader, Class of 1885.
- April J. Novak of Downers Grove, IL
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 2015 Initiates
- Zhikun Cai of Jiaomei Town, China
- Michael M. Cheng of Chicago, IL
- Quincy R. Crawford of Mahomet, IL
- Xiang Liu of Zhongxiang, Hubei, China
- Jeremy J. Mettler of Sioux Falls, SD
- Daniel J. O’Grady of Evergreen Park, IL
- Nathan C. Reid of Naperville, IL
- Xia Sang of Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Steven A. Stemmley of Bethalto, IL
- Christian D. Zircher of Burr Ridge, IL
Continuing Members:
- Michael P. Christenson of Champaign, 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
- Christopher A. Kuprianczyk of Chicago, IL
- Xiaochun Lai of Shanghang, People's Republic of China
- Daniel C. Martin of Glencoe, MO
- Benjamin C. Masters of Urbana, IL
- Yinbin Miao of Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Peter A. Mouche of Naperville, IL
- Aaron J. Oaks of Brea, CA
- 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
- Joseph A. Serio of West Chicago, IL
- Ryan A. Switts of O'Fallon, 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
2015 Senior 100 Honorary
The Student Alumni Ambassadors, the student branch of the University of Illinois Alumni Association, recognizes the top 100 seniors from the graduating class of 2015. Senior 100 Honorary honors outstanding graduating students for their academic achievements, engagement, service, and demonstrated leadership while on campus.
- Nicholas Rivera of Chicago, IL
University - 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.
- Quincy R. Crawford of Mahomet, IL
- Zoe R. Richter of Manito, IL
- James M. Stearns of Elgin, IL
University - 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.
- Bilal Arshad of Astoria, NY
- Joseph L. Bottini of Framingham, MA
- Peter M. Conway of Lemont, IL
- Quincy R. Crawford of Mahomet, IL
- Karla M. Del Cid-Ledezma of Rio Rancho, NM
- Austin G. Enfinger of Fredericksburg, VA
- Steven J. Jensen of Mount Prospect, IL
- Justin V. Joseph of Glenview, IL
- Aveek S. Kapat of Oviedo, FL
- Brandon T. Lee of Hermosa Beach, CA
- Daniel C. Martin of Glencoe, MO
- Jeremy J. Mettler of Sioux Falls, SD
- Matthew M. Moukheiber of Wheaton, IL
- Kathryn A. Mummah of Wheaton, IL
- Daniel J. O’Grady of Evergreen Park, IL
- Joseph N. Rajchwald of Glenview, IL
- Ashley C. Roberts of Peoria, IL
- Xia Sang of Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Grant M. Schumock of Geneva, IL
- James M. Stearns of Elgin, IL
- Steven A. Stemmley of Bethalto, IL
- Justin D. Weberski of Saint Charles, IL
To view more photos of NPRE's 2015 Honors Banquet, go to NPRE's Facebook page.