4/24/2023 Debra Levey Larson
Written by Debra Levey Larson
The Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign recognizes undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, alumni, and staff with awards for their scholastic achievement and other contributions. Below is a listing of this year’s departmental awards as well as a partial listing of college, university, and external awards.
Faculty and staff awards:
AIAA Teacher of the Year – Jason M. Merret
AE Staff Member of the Year – Kristen T. Reifsteck
AE Staff Member of the Year – Gregory S. Milner
Undergraduate student departmental awards:
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Scholastic Achievement Award, awarded to the senior graduating with the highest GPA— Harry Zhao, Peoria, Illinois
H. Everett Sutter Passion for Flying Scholarship, presented to a junior-level Aerospace Engineering student who exhibits a passion for flying— Benjamin N. Folgers, Dixon, Illinois
H.S. Stillwell Problem Solving Scholarship was established by a generous alumnus as a tribute to H.S. Stillwell and the role he played as a mentor to students. It is given to a junior-level or first-semester senior majoring in aerospace engineering who exhibits exemplary problem-solving skills— Jeremy Huang, Cupertino, California
H.S. Stillwell Leadership Award, presented to the undergraduate who exemplifies outstanding leadership qualities by participation in departmental extracurricular activities -- Bella Watters, Lake Forest, Illinois
Robert W. McCloy Memorial Award, presented in memory of Prof. R.W. McCloy, who served on the faculty from 1945 to 1977, and was the first faculty member hired in the new Department of Aeronautical Engineering. He was known for his research and teaching in propulsion and for his pioneering work in jet propulsion. The award is presented to a junior or first-semester senior student in recognition of outstanding academic performance— Morgan J. Scott, Greenup, Illinois
Lee H. Sentman Memorial Scholarship, presented to an aerospace engineering student in recognition of excellent academic performance— Matthew W. Brotnow, West Chicago, Illinois
Michael W. Miller Aerospace Engineering Innovation Award, was established to promote entrepreneurial ideas in the area of aerospace innovation— Anshuk Chigullapalli, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Roger A. Strehlow Memorial Award, presented to an undergraduate student in recognition of outstanding academic performance— Thien Ba Le, Chicago, Illinois
Robert Lee Chandler, BS ’54, and Carole Leslie Chandler Memorial Scholarship, is presented to an undergraduate student in recognition of outstanding academic performance.
Stephanie N. Dutra, Fremont, California
Lawrence Bergman Undergraduate Research Award, is given in recognition for outstanding undergraduate research—Zain Jamal, Morton Grove, Illinois
Scott R. White Memorial Scholarship, Marty D. Bathgate, Carbondale, Illinois
Graduate student departmental awards:
AE Alumni Advisory Board Fellowship, presented annually to a graduate student in recognition of outstanding research, academic performance, and research accomplishments— Aadhy Sundarajan Parthasarathy, Madurai,Tamil Nadu, India
Graduate Student Service Award, awarded to a student for service to the unit, beyond merely their academic and research responsibilities— Tove Elisabeth Kopperstad, Stavanger, Norway
Kenneth Lee Herrick Memorial Award, given to an AE graduate student based on outstanding academic and research performance in the AE department— Jafar Abbaszadeh Chekan, Maragheh, Iran
The Preston A. Henne Aerodynamics Fellowship, established to fund a graduate student in the area of aerodynamics— Matthew Lauer, Morton, Illinois
Harry H. and Lois G. Hilton Fellowship, established to provide support for graduate students with a preference to those who study aeroelasticity — Huy D. Tran, Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon), Vietnam