2015 Recipient
2021 Update:
I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering in August, 2019. Shortly after, I sold nearly all of my things and moved to Washington state with two suitcases and my cat to begin my career. I am currently a quality engineer at an aerospace company right outside of Seattle where I support product lines for military defense aircraft. I started graduate school online through NIU and am working towards a master’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a focus in engineering management.
My boyfriend moved to Washington a few months after me. We got an apartment together and adopted a dog shortly after. The suburb we live in has amazing parks, scenic walking paths, and lots of coffee stands. There is a beach nearby where we can see the Seattle skyline across the water. We have explored the area by hiking at multiple national and state parks. While I miss my family in the Midwest, I am thankful to see mountains during my evening commute.
2018 Update:
I recently finished my third year at NIU for Industrial and Systems Engineering. I was lucky enough to receive another internship this summer at J.L. Clark which specializes in metals and plastic packaging manufacturing. I am working in the quality engineering department and have had the opportunity to take the lead on multiple projects for quality assurance.
I was recently chosen as the Vice President of Operations for my sorority which has taught me a lot about leadership. I also began volunteering with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program through the DeKalb Family Service Agency. With this organization, I get to spend time every week with a younger student and participate in lots of fun activities. During the school year, I volunteer my time leading student tours at the College of Engineering for prospective students. Some other volunteer activities I’ve done over the year include participating in the March of Dimes walk, organizing shelves at the DeKalb Public Library, and walking dogs at a local animal shelter.
I am looking forward to graduating in 2019 and am thankful for the Mascoutah Alumni and Friends organization for helping so many students work towards their goals.
2017 Update:
I am currently going to NIU for Industrial and Systems Engineering with an emphasis in Engineering Management. I was offered an internship this summer with Philips as a manufacturing engineer intern at their site in Aurora, IL. We manufacture C.T. and X-ray tubes that go into C.T. scanners in hospitals around the globe. I was able to lead a project that governs the intense cleaning processes for over 500 parts within the factory.
This fall, I will begin my third year in industrial engineering and I am currently on track for an accelerated masters degree program to receive a masters degree for Industrial Engineering Decision Analysis in the Spring of 2020. During the school year, I participate in the NIU Supermileage team which constructs an ultra fuel-efficient vehicle. I am the driver for the team and we recently set our record for fuel-efficiency with 1,758 miles to the gallon.
Throughout the year, I also participate in the NIU College of Engineering Ambassadors club. In this organization, I take time giving tours to high-school students to encourage them to choose a major in engineering. I also joined the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority on campus and participate in many volunteer activities that benefit the March of Dimes and other organizations that raise money for children with various illnesses or developmental challenges. I will also be working at Smallcakes in DeKalb and St. Charles this year decorating cupcakes and other pastries.