The John J. McKetta Undergraduate Scholarship is being presented for the eighteenth year. Sponsored by The Dekker Foundation, this award honors the late Dr. John J. McKetta, professor emeritus at the University of Texas At Austin.
The $5,000 scholarship is presented to an incoming senior or junior chemical engineering student who is planning a career in the chemical process industries. In addition to demonstrated academic excellence, the scholarship nominee should show leadership in AIChE student chapter activities and other university activities. This year鈥檚 John J. McKetta Scholarship was presented to from North Carolina State University.
Andrew鈥檚 leadership within AIChE
Andrew decided to make AIChE a priority from the moment he stepped foot on campus as a first year student. In his first year, he took on not one, but two AIChE appointments 鈥� one as the K鈥�12 & Community Outreach Chair and the other as the chapter Dinner Chair, in which he carefully managed the logistics of dozens of the chapter鈥檚 meal events, ranging from corporate dinners to social gatherings. Andrew later took on the role of the chapter Vice President of Industry Relations, and after that term came to an end, he continued to remain involved by mentoring the chapter鈥檚 new officers.
More on this year鈥檚 award winner
Outside AIChE, Andrew is interested in the applications of the chemical industry as a means to explore his life-long fascination with plants to fight food insecurity around the world. Andrew links his interests in engineering and plant science through his participation in his university鈥檚 Horticulture Competition Team, Brewing Club, Botany Club, Biotechnology Club, and Horticulture Club. Andrew also plays in the marching band, conducts undergraduate research, and participates in an on-campus leadership development fellowship. Andrew has also managed to gain undergraduate research experience in the Plant Biology Department, as well as industry experience through internships at BASF and . In the classroom, Andrew maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA in his dual majors of chemical engineering and plant biology, with a minor in biotechnology.
You can see more photos from the and the below and on Flickr.