2024 Dean’s Award Recipients
The College of Engineering recognized outstanding seniors and graduate students from the Class of 2024 at the 49th annual Dean’s Awards Dinner. Held Thursday, April 11, at Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova, Pa., the event capped off an academic year in which about 260 Engineering students will receive their bachelor’s degrees, 133 will receive their master’s degrees and 15 will receive their doctoral degrees.
Learn more about each of the award winners in the digital Dean’s Awards Dinner supplemental program.
Grand Challenges Scholars
The National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) is an engineering education supplement that broadens the reach of undergraduate study by preparing students to think in international terms; by developing the perspectives and skills needed to find solutions to real and urgent problems; and by offering a clear view to future jobs that matter and the opportunities in engineering. The Grand Challenges Scholar for the Class of 2024 was Emma Olson ’24 CE.
Engineering Midshipman Award
New for 2024, this recognition is awarded to a Midshipman 1st Class enrolled in the College of Engineering. The awardee is recognized for exemplary achievement in three specific areas: outstanding academic achievement indicated by a GPA of 3.75 or higher; leadership as demonstrated by participation in leadership and/or management positions in Villanova’s NROTC unit; and service to the College of Engineering. The inaugural recipient of the Engineering Midshipman Award was Jonathan Forbes ’24 ChE.
Engineering Entrepreneurship Student Achievement Award
The Engineering Entrepreneurship Student Achievement Award is presented to a graduating Engineering student with a minor in Engineering Entrepreneurship who has achieved distinction through demonstration of exceptional entrepreneurial pursuit both inside and outside the classroom. The recipient of the 2024 Engineering Entrepreneurship Student Achievement Award was James McCullough ’24 ME.
Humanitarian Engineering Student Award
This award is presented to a graduating engineering student who exemplifies a commitment to serving communities in need through applied engineering, technical support on sustainable development, and ethical engagement in a global context. The recipient of the 2024 Humanitarian Engineering Student Award was Jonathan Auman ’24 MSSE.
Academic Achievement
The Dean’s Award for Academic Achievement was established to recognize outstanding academic performance by a graduating senior. The Dean presents this award to students in the top 10% of their major at the end of the fall term. The recipients for 2024 were:
Michael Blandino ’24 ME
Joshua Busch ’24 CpE
Andrea Cabot Sorrentini ’24 ME
Joseph Carillo ’24 ME
Michael Castelli ’24 EE
Ciara Coulter ’24 ChE
Jonathon Cowger ’24 CpE
Joseph DeMarco ’24 CpE
Matthew Devitt ’24 ChE
Ryan Forte ’24 ChE
Stepan Gorelenkov ’24 EE
Jacob Janavel ’24 EE
Luke Lagalante ’24 ChE
Broderick Lane ’24 ChE
Andrew Lin ’24 ME
Ethan Maharas ’24 CE
Emma Olson ’24 CE
Emily Orr ’24 ME
Ryan Pecharo ’24 ChE
Kendra Power ’24 CE
Jake Prochniak ’24 ME
Emma Robert ’24 CE
Griffin Schenker ’24 CpE
Sara Walsh ’24 CE
Eric Yablonski ’24 ME
Lucas Yannul ’24 CpE
Meritorious Service
The Dean’s Award for Meritorious Service was established to recognize exceptional service to the College of Engineering as reflected in sustained extracurricular or service activities. Selected students demonstrated noteworthy leadership in one or more activities. This year’s recipients were:
Andrea Cabot Sorrentini ’24 ME
Mary Dam ’24 ChE
Brianna Davis ’24 CE
Jenna Fazio ’24 CpE
Ryan Forte ’24 ChE
Karl David Fotso ’24 ChE
Ryan Hodnett ’24 ME
Andrew Kline ’24 CE
Belen Labarta Galan ’24 CE
Emma Olson ’24 CE
Emma Robert ’24 CE
Kaya Robinson ’24 ME
Justin Siegel ’24 ME
Will Stoval ’24 ME
Jordin Thomas-Lamothe ’24 CE
Department Medallions
The criteria used in determining the winners of the department medallions include academic achievement as indicated by the cumulative and technical grade point averages, as well as the quality and consistency of the co-curricular contributions that the student has made to the College and the department. This year’s recipients were:
Robert E. White Chemical Engineering Award: Ryan Forte ’24 ChE
Civil and Environmental Engineering Outstanding Student Award: Emma Robert ’24 CE
Computer Engineering Outstanding Student Award: Joshua Busch ’24 CpE
Electrical Engineering Outstanding Student Award: Stepan Gorelenkov ’24 EE
Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Student Award: Michael Blandino ’24 ME
Departmental Master of Science Student Awards
These department-level awards are presented in recognition of outstanding graduate research, leadership, and service to the College. The honorees for 2024 were:
Simon Brooks ’21 ChE, ’24 MSSE
Luke Molnar ’24 MSCE
Catherine Sharo ’23 ChE, ’24 MSBChE
Grace Sutoris ’22 ME, ’24 MSME
College of Engineering Outstanding Master of Science Student Award
The College of Engineering Outstanding Master of Science Student Award is presented to a graduating master’s degree student who has achieved distinction through outstanding graduate academics and research, and through exemplary leadership and service to Villanova and the College of Engineering. The 2024 recipient was Nayeon Kwak ’22 CE, ’24 MSCE, whose master’s thesis was titled “Greening the Gray: Assessing Green Stormwater Infrastructure for Hydrologic Impact.” She was advised by Dr. Kelly Good and Dr. Virginia Smith.
College of Engineering Outstanding Doctoral Student Award
The College of Engineering Outstanding Doctoral Student Award is presented to a graduating PhD student who has achieved distinction through outstanding scholarship in the doctoral program and through exemplary leadership and service to Villanova University and the College of Engineering. The recipient of this year’s Outstanding Doctoral Student Award was Bchara Sidnawi ’23 PhD, whose dissertation was titled “Physics-Based Mathematical Modeling in the Cardiovascular System: From Arterial Flow Characterization to a Novel Theory for Flow-Mediated Dilation.” He was advised by Dr. Qianhong Wu.
Dean Michele Marcolongo presented the 2024 Robert D. Lynch Award to Kaya Robinson ’24 ME.
Robert D. Lynch Award
The Robert D. Lynch Award was instituted in 2003 in honor of the Dean of the College of Engineering from 1975 to 2000. Sponsored by the Villanova University Engineering Alumni Society, this prestigious award acknowledges a graduating senior for their outstanding academic achievements and exemplary dedication to serving the community, thus representing the highest values of Villanova University and the College of Engineering. The Robert D. Lynch Award recipient for the Class of 2024 was Kaya Robinson ’24 ME.