UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS
Academic Achievement
This award is given to students who excel in academics in the Department.
Jeff Morse came into the CE program as a postbac, following an initial career in physical therapy. He will graduate with a 3.97 PSU GPA. Jeff has shown interest in both water resources and structures, and whichever discipline he ultimately settles in will be lucky to have him. He has an impressive work ethic and intuition for physical sciences and math, and we are all excited to see where his career takes him. Great work, Jeff!
Department Service
This award is given to students who demonstrate exceptional service to the Department and other students.
Alicia Antillon has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to her fellow students, ASCE, and her profession. Over the last three years as ASCE Activities coordinator she has organized numerous social events to help connect CEE students and build community. In support of the academic health of the CEE community, Alicia facilitated student-lead FE Review sessions. And let’s not forget the many, many hours spent in her role as the 2025 ASCE Student Symposium Coordinator arranging catering, fundraising, recruiting volunteers, and representing PSU during the symposium. Alica, you will always be remembered for your steadfast efforts and kindness. Congratulations on this well-deserved award, Alicia!
Outstanding Undergraduate
Award is given to the student who demonstrates through any combination of academic achievement, character, or presence as modeling the ideal Viking CEE undergraduate
Derek Leland embodies the “ideal Viking CEE student” through his involvement. Whether it is as a project manager in Capstone, as the ASCE student chapter president, or as a do-everything volunteer for the ASCE student symposium, Derek is always willing to take on new challenges and get the most out of his time at PSU. He has been instrumental in motivating his peers to get involved with student groups, and leaves a great legacy for future ASCE officers to emulate. Even more impressively, Derek managed all of this involvement while maintaining an internship at Jacobs, as well as a 3.5 PSU GPA. Congratulations, Derek!
Perseverance Award
For exceptional determination, resilience, and grit in the face of extraordinary challenges
Lucas Curstinger. This degree and workload are not easy for any one, but this award goes to a student who worked through, and came out the other side, of an extraordinary set of challenges. Lucas’s, perseverance in Fall quarter earns him this award. In Week 4 of fall quarter, right before the onslaught of midterms, Lucas was in a motorcycle accident that sent him to the hospital with a shattered ankle. For the rest of the quarter, there were surgeries and getting around campus without an ankle, and caring for his infant daughter. Lucas didn’t miss an exam, didn’t miss an assignment, and, as far as we can tell, only missed a class when he was in the hospital.
GRADUATE AWARDS
Academic Achievement
This award is given to students who excel in academics in the Department.
Ian Anderson, MEng, Environmental/Water Resources, advised by Jim Pankow: “Ian always performed at the top of every class he took at PSU. He is a serious student and habitually made it a point to be sure he understood every nuance in the material. Ian always sought out ways to have his work be useful to the professor in the largest context possible, as with helping with the design of possible future PSU courses, and helping with existing PSU research projects.” - Jim. Great job, Ian!
Earl Parrott, MS Geotech, advised by Arash Khosravifar: “Earl is a respectful and enjoyable person to work with, and his clear communication is one of his greatest strengths. Early in his MS program, he took on the task of leading a complex centrifuge test at UC Davis. He spent months away from home under a tight schedule. The success of that test is due in part to his effective communication skills and respectful personality.” - Arash. Great work, Earl!
Achyuth Ravilla, PhD, Environmental/Water Resources, advised by Ilke Celik: “Achyuth was a highly curious, enthusiastic, and dedicated researcher on my team. He was always eager to support younger team members and generously offers his help. Working with him is both fun and rewarding. Currently, he is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Maine, bringing energy and insight to his new workplace, brightening the environment with his passion and expertise.” - Ilke. Congratulations, Achyuth!
Department Service
This award is given to students who demonstrate exceptional service to the Department and other students.
Fadzai Zivanai MS, Geotech, advised by Diane Moug. Fadzai has been the enthusiastic and tireless outreach coordinator for the geotech group. This has meant that even with a busy research and class schedule, she continues to coordinate lab tours, tabling events, and demonstration days on behalf of CEE. She also worked to establish the PSU NSBE chapter and serves on the EERI Student Leadership Council. The only time she has ever said no to an outreach event, is because she is already away at another event. She does all this without missing a beat in her classwork and research or being a TA for soil mechanics. Fadzai, we are lucky to have you as member of the CEE department and excited that you are continuing to work with us. Congratulations, Fadzai!
Outstanding Graduate Student
Award is given to the student who demonstrates through any combination of academic achievement, character, or presence as modeling the ideal Viking CEE graduate.
Taban Hajimirza, Phd, Structural, advised by Peter Dusicka. "Taban came to our PhD program with visions of becoming an expert in resilience and performance. Little did he realize at the time that not only will these concepts apply to the structural systems he would study, but also to the personal journey he would take to complete his degree. Taban Hajimirza endured fits and starts and a significant pause caused by the pandemic, financial struggles, and personal hardship. Couple of years ago, I did not think we would ever see him back on campus. He did come back, and came back with purpose and maturity that finally matched his intellect and ambition. He proved to be a thorough thinker and has produced the most analytically based dissertation that I had the pleasure of reviewing. This “outstanding student” award recognizes the performance he’s demonstrated toward the finish and the person that he’s become after successfully completing his PSU journey." -Peter. Congratulations, Taban!