4/18/2016
Written by
The Senior 100, sponsored by Student Alumni Ambassadors and the U of I Alumni Association, recognizes outstanding seniors for their academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to the University. This year, 6 of the 100 honorees are MatSE undergraduates: Connor Bailey, Drew Curtis, Fang Jiunn Ewe, Katharine Mehan, Sean Murray, and Hannah Taylor.
[figure="" class="align-center" width="320"]Connor Bailey
Where are you from? Downers Grove, IL
Why did you choose the U of I and MatSE in particular? The summer before my senior year of high school I participated in an ASM-sponsored materials “camp,” where I learned all about Materials Science and really got interested in it. Ultimately, I chose MatSE because I saw it as a great blend of both chemistry and physics, and thought that there were many exciting advances being made in the field. Once I decided on MatSE, U of I was an easy choice: one of the top programs and not too far from home.
What activities have you been involved in at the university? I’ve been heavily involved in Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honor Society, serving as their recording secretary this year. I’ve also been involved in Keramos as the Service chair. In addition, I’ve participated in undergraduate research with Prof. Can Bayram in the ECE department and am in my second year of being a TA for MSE 206. I’ve been involved in the Campus Honors Program as a Chancellor’s Scholar as well.
What are your plans after graduation? I plan on attending Stanford University to pursue a PhD in the fall. I will be supported by an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.
[figure="" class="align-center" width="320"]Drew Curtis
Where are you from?
Arlington Heights, IL
Why did you choose the U of I and MatSE in particular?
I chose the University of Illinois for multiple reasons. The largest of which was the caliber and reputation of the engineering education that I could receive here. I was eager to be challenged in my coursework and to interact with some of the best faculty that an institution could offer. As for MatSE, I chose this major because, as it was once explained to me, at the basis of any problem plaguing our world lies a materials solution. By understanding materials science, I hoped to gain an edge in solving future problems.
What activities have you been involved in at the university?
I’m involved in the Campus Honors Program, Hoeft Technology and Management Program, Illini Hockey Radio on WPGU 107.1, Keramos, and Phi Sigma Kappa Social Fraternity.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I will be moving to Boston, MA, to take a position as a Systems Engineer at MITRE Corporation. I will be on the Emerging Technologies team working to develop new technologies to solve engineering problems that plague various government organizations.
[figure="" class="align-center" width="320"]Fang Jiunn Ewe
Where are you from?
Penang, Malaysia
Why did you choose the U of I and MatSE in particular?
I chose MatSE because when I was studying in Singapore, my chemistry teacher recommended MatSE to me as an area, and I was always drawn to biomimetic materials designs. I decided to apply to schools known for their Materials Departments, and was accepted into UIUC. Honestly, it was the only school I was accepted to, so that made the choice much simpler!
What activities have you been involved in at the university?
On campus, I have been involved in various organizations. In my freshman and sophomore year, I went out to elementary schools to teach 3rd and 4th graders science and engineering concepts by doing experiment demos with Engineering Outreach Society; I volunteered at Crisis Nursery and Meadowbrook Nursing Home with Tzu Ching Collegiate Association; and was active in the Malaysian Student Association (MaSA) and Philippines Student Association (PSA). Going into my junior year I began research with the Autonomous Materials Systems research group with Professors Sottos and White, became an active performer with PSA in their cultural performances and competitions, and also acted as Vice President External in MaSA. All throughout, I also participated in i-Program workshops held by the Illinois Leadership Center (ILC), and in my senior year, I became an intern at the ILC organizing these programs. I have also worked with the fellow interns to develop a lecture/discussion series in the ILC in imitation of the Food for Thought presentations held by the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations (OIIR). I also sought to build closer relations between the ILC and the Asian American Cultural Center (AACC) which is part of OIIR, by presenting during one of their sessions and inviting the AACC's associate director to present in the ILC.
What are your plans after graduation?
I don’t have any plans lined up for after graduation, though I would like to travel around the U.S. before I start my job, wherever that ends up being.
[figure="" class="align-center" width="320"]Katharine Mehan
Where are you from?
Elburn, IL
Why did you choose the U of I and MatSE in particular?
I first learned about the field of materials science and engineering through the summer camps I attended at the University of Illinois. I have always been intrigued by the “how” and “why” behind every object and process, and MatSE provides the means to explore that.
What activities have you been involved in at the university?
Material Advantage, the Society of Women Engineers, Student Introduction to Engineering (SITE) and Engineering Student Alumni Ambassadors (ESAA). I held committee positions on SWE for two years and held positions in ESAA for all 4 years. I’m currently chair of ESAA. I’ve also worked as a tutor at CARE and an undergraduate research assistant in Prof. JJ Cheng’s group.
What are your plans after graduation?
I am going to work for AbbVie, a biopharmaceutical company located in the northern suburbs of Chicago. I will be in a rotational development program, with three 8-month rotations in different parts of the company. Hopefully, I'll spend one of those rotations in Ireland or Singapore.
[figure="" class="align-center" width="320"]Sean Murray
Where are you from?
Dousman, WI
Why did you choose the U of I and MatSE in particular?
During my visit weekend, I met some wonderfully kind MatSE students who were willing to take time out of their day as my parents and I asked them questions. They had great enthusiasm, and encouraged me to join the program at Illinois, saying that I would love it here. They were right. It made me realize that the MatSE@Illinois community is a caring one, and a place where I would find great friends and colleagues.
I've been interested in MatSE ever since an uncle of mine explained to me how Japanese sword smiths can take black, iron-rich sand and transform it into a hard yet flexible sword. The process requires extreme heat and many hours of hard labor. The result is an impressive and (for the warriors at the time) useful object. I feel like this story applies to many students at Illinois who are applying themselves towards finding an education.
What activities have you been involved in at the university?
Material Advantage, undergraduate research (Braun Group, White Group, Krogstad Group), semester study abroad (Otago University, NZ), Tau Beta Pi, the MSE 441 student-led seminars, and several University jazz bands and wind ensembles.
What are your plans after graduation?
Pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara
[figure="" class="align-center" width="320"]Hannah Taylor
Where are you from?
Pawnee, IL
Why did you choose the U of I and MatSE in particular?
I’ve always been an Illini fan and dreamt of coming here since I was in grade school. I choose MatSE because it offered so many routes of study and it was intriguing to me.
What activities have you been involved in at the university?
I have been an active member of the Society of Women Engineers and I was the President of the Orange Krush Foundation.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be moving to Baltimore to work with Northrop Grumman in the Professional Development Program a part of the Electronic Systems sector.