Feature News from Chemical Engineering

Ashleigh Hildebrand at a reception in March honoring her achievement in receiving a Gates Scholarship to Cambridge

ChE Senior Receives 2005 Dean's Award

Ashleigh Hildebrand received the Dean's Award for the top Engineering student in the 2005 graduating class - the Dean's choice of the student who best exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, participation, contribution to the College, and potential for future success.

Ashleigh is also a 2005 Gates Scholar providing her with a full scholarship to pursue graduate degrees at Cambridge University in England.  She also has a National Science Fellowship which she will use when she returns to the US with her Masters from Cambridge, to pursue a PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Ashleigh received her BS in Chemical Engineering this May with an option in Environmental Engineering, while obtaining minors in Chemistry and Philosophy, while graduating with Honors.  She earned a 3.94 GPA while averaging over 18 credit-hours per semester. She was president of the Omega Chi Epsilon ChE honorary society, and her undergraduate research in environmental measurements led to two papers.  She was named as an "Outstanding OSU Senior" by the OSU Alumni Association.

The photos show Ashleigh at a reception and dressed in the orange regalia of the top student in the college with the graduation photo of the rest of the ChE class of 2005. 

2005 ChE Senior Class at graduation.

Russ Rhinehart, ChE School Head observes, "For many years, ChE students have won more than a proportionate share of college, university, and national awards; and I am very proud of our student performance. But, 'No man is an island.' Recognition and awards that the numerous individuals have been getting within the ChE program are, in part, due to the environment that all ChE students, faculty, and staff create. Our environment values personal excellence, breadth of human development, integrity, teamwork, and service. This environment stimulates the best in all individuals - in each individual. It is a magic, a good medicine, that provides gifts to everyone. I like watching it work."