Student Engineer of the Year

Megan Pendergast

Ms. Megan Pendergast is a junior in Mechanical Engineering. She will graduate in May ‘08 with a BSME and currently has a 3.94 GPA. Ms. Pendergast is a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and the Student Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. She has served as Vice President of Community Service for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars at USF and has been recognized for an “Outstanding Presentation” at the USF Research Experience for Undergraduates Symposium.  She is active in the Handball Club at USF, is a captain of a winning intramural soccer team, participates in the Running Club’s weekly runs, and USF sponsored Racquetball Tournaments. She is active in the Tampa chapter of “Team in Training” which is the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s primary fundraising source, and has personally raised over $1500. She is currently doing research sponsored by the National Science Foundation on “Nano-ripples in single crystal materials” under the direction of USF’s Dr. Alex Volinsky.

Jamie Trahan

Ms. Jamie Trahan is a junior in Mechanical Engineering. She will graduate in May ‘08 with a BSME and currently has a 4.0 GPA.  Ms. Trahan received her BS in Biology from The University of Tampa with a minor in Environmental Science graduating Magna Cum Laude. She is the recipient of the William W. Smith Scholarship, the University of Tampa Presidential Scholarship, and the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. She is on the National Dean’s List and is a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.  She is a founding member of the USF chapter of “Engineers without Borders” and does volunteer work with several community service organizations. Ms. Trahan is currently doing research sponsored by the National Science Foundation on “numerical methods” under the direction of USF’s Dr. Autar Kaw.

Nikesh Patel (2006)

Mr. Nikesh Patel is a senior enrolled the University of South Florida’s “Double Major” engineering program pursuing a degree in both Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering.  He is on schedule to graduate in May ’06 with a BSME and a BSCE degree and is enrolled in the five-year “Master of Science in Engineering” program.  Mr. Patel received his “Associates of Arts” degree from Polk Community College in 2004 and then enrolled at USF to begin his engineering studies.  He is a recipient of the Florida “Bright Future Medallion Scholarship” and a Rotary Club scholarship. He is also an Officer in several Student organizations including ASME (Treasurer), ASCE (Chair), and ACI (Vice-President).  Nikesh has excelled in his academic classes winning 1st Place in a “Machine Design” class project contest as well as 1st Place in the ACI “Highest Compressive Strength Concrete Mix” competition.  He has served as the ASME Student Section Treasures since 2005, and has also attended the ASME Regional Student Conference. He has also participated in ASME FWC Section meetings.  In April ’06, Nikesh plans to participate in the ASME Student Design Contest at the Spring Student Conference, to be held in Tampa, and he is involved in the USF Electrathon (Electric Car) design competition to be conducted at the annual USF Engineering EXPO.   Nikesh’s extra-curricular and community activities include participation in USF “intramural” soccer; serving as Chair of the “Student Government Athletic Activities” committee, ’04-’05; serving as Chairman of ASCE’s “Community Service and Professional Engineering Review” committee; being a “Habitat for Humanity” project volunteer; and participating in USF’s “Engineering Expo” activities. In addition to pursuing his engineering degrees, since 2003 Nikesh has been gaining experience by working part time as an “engineering intern” for Florida’s Department of Transportation (FDOT).  He is indeed a well-rounded engineering student and the Florida West Coast Section of ASME is proud to designate Mr. Nikesh Patel as their “Student Engineer of the Year 2006”.

Stephanie A. Stiber (2005)

Ms. Stephanie A. Stiber is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Florida. She will graduate in May 2005 with a BSME degree. Miss Stiber has an excellent academic record and is a member of: National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Golden Key Honor Society, and Phi Sigma Theta Honor Society. Stephanie is active in the USF Students Section of ASME and is also a member of AIAA and SAW. She presently serves as Webmaster and Newspaper Editor of the USF ASME Students Section and has assisted in planning and conduction several Student Section programs and activities. Stephanie has also attended Sr. Section and Regional ASME meetings.

Stephanie received USF’s Provost Scholar Award for superior academic achievement and has also received other scholarship awards and recognition. She is presently working as an undergraduate Research Student in the Rehabilitation Engineering Section of USF’s Mechanical Engineering Department. Stephanie does volunteer work for community service organizations such Habitat for Humanity, and participating in charity runs and food drives. She is a member of the Keyettes (community service club) and worked as a teacher’s aide at a local school. Stephanie graduated from Sarasota High School where she compiled an outstanding academic record and also played trombone for the school’s Marching and Symphonic Bands. She was awarded the school’s “Outstanding Musician” Award and the U.S. Marine Youth Foundation, Inc. “Semper Fidelis” Award in 2001. She has also played Piano for fourteen years.

Stephanie will be a member of the USF Student Section’s “Design Team” for the Student Design contest to be held at the Regional Student Conference in Jacksonville, FL in April 2005.

The Florida West Coast Section of ASME is proud to designate Miss Stephanie A. Striber as their “Student Engineer of the Year”.

Dana Karelus (2005)

Ms. Dana Karelus is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Florida. She will graduate in May 2005 with a BSME degree. Ms. Karelus has an outstanding academic record and has been the recipient of several scholarship awards. She is active in the USF Students Section of ASME and also participates in other collegiate organizations and community activities as well. She has served as Corresponding Secretary of the USF ASME Student Section since 2002, and has also planned and organized many Student Section programs and tours. Dana has also attended Sr. Section and Regional ASME meetings.

Dana is a graduate of Countryside High School where she compiled an excellent academic record, graduating 5th in her class. She has been a member of the United States Figure Skating Association for 13 years and has competed at the Olympic level in numerous countries. Dana does volunteer work for community service organizations such Habitat for Humanity, Hope Lodge, and Safe Haven Avian Placement Services.

Dana will be a member of the USF Student Section’s “Design Team” for the Student Design contest to be held at the Regional Student Conference in Jacksonville, FL in April 2005. The Florida West Coast Section of ASME is proud to designate Miss Dana Karelus as their “Student Engineer of the Year.”

Dennis Watkins (2004)

Mr. Dennis Watkins is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Florida. Dennis is a member of the USF Student Section of ASME and is presently serving as Activities Chairman. Dennis has demonstrated extraordinary organization, and leadership skill in planning, promoting and motivating students to participate in a variety of programs. Dennis has planned and participated in ten tours since last summer. High on his list for engineering student involvement is community service. Dennis has organized work teams to support Habitat for Humanity projects in the Tampa Bay area. He setup and attended the food drive contest “Charit-a-Bull” during homecoming week and participated in the “American Heart Walk”. The FWCS is proud to honor Dennis Watkins as “ASME USF Mechanical Engineering Student of the Year”.

Michael U. Jurczyk (2002)

Mr. Michael Jurczyk is a senior in the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of South Florida. Michael has achieved an outstanding academic record (GPA of 3.9) and has been an active member of the USF Student Section of ASME. He is presently serving as the section’s “Corresponding Secretary” and has participated in ASME’s Regional Student conferences. Michael is enrolled in USF’s “5 Yr.” Program, which enables students to pursue a Masters degree coincident with their BS degree work. In addition to working as a “research assistant” in the M.E. department in the field of “dynamics” and “control of robot manipulators”, Michael is a student member of several professional societies including the Pi, and the Golden Key National Honor Society. Michael is an outstanding young man and has been the recipient of several scholarship awards. The FWCS is proud to honor Michael U. Jurczyk as “ASME USF Mechanical Engineering Student of the Year”.