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The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering (SOE) celebrated the academic excellence, service and leadership of students, faculty and staff during its 15th Annual Awards Banquet, held virtually on Thursday, Feb. 25.

“The advancement of the SIUE School of Engineering is propelled by the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff and alumni,” said Dean Cem Karacal, PhD. “We are proud to celebrate their incredible work, and realize the significant potential our engineering community has for future achievement.”

The SOE recognized an outstanding junior, senior, graduate student, teacher and alumnus from each of its academic programs, including civil, industrial, electrical and computer, mechanical and mechatronics and robotics engineering, as well as computer science and construction. 

The event’s keynote speaker was alumnus Jason Hill, vice president of Engineering at Emerson Tool Company. Hill earned a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering in 1993. In 2019, he was named the SOE’s Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Alumnus.

Intertwined throughout the program were presentations highlighting the two finalists for the Outstanding Student Organization of the Year award: Cougar Baja and Solar Car. Participants cast their votes during the event, and Solar Car proved victorious.

Awards were also presented to select faculty:

• Outstanding Researcher: Jon Klingensmith, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Outstanding Service: Nima Lotfi, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering
• Outstanding Adjunct: Tim Holland, adjunct lecturer in the Department of Construction
• Outstanding Service to the SOE: Kim Bateman, Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC) Operations Manager and Director of Cross Connection Control

Virtual event sponsors included MiTek and SOE alumna Kay Guse. Their generous support will fund engineering student scholarships in the 2021-22 academic year.

A complete list of the 2021 award recipients is available at siue.edu/engineering/banquet/award-recipients.

Photos: SIUE alumnus Jason Hill, vice president of Engineering at Emerson Tool Company.

The Student Organization of the Year award was presented to Solar Car.