May 15, 2023

Students celebrate after degrees are conferred at the University Commencement Ceremony on Friday. Photo by J. Adam Fenster / University of Rochester

Dear Members of the Hajim School Community,

This weekend marked the culmination of years of commitment, hard work, and perseverance for hundreds of Hajim School undergraduate and graduate students. Thank you to everyone who joined us for Commencement celebrations this weekend.

We celebrated the successful conclusion to a wonderful academic year by conferring degrees to 377 undergraduate, 123 master’s, and 70 PhD Hajim School students. Once again, we were graced by remarks from Ed Hajim ’58, former chairman and life member of our University’s Board of Trustees and our school’s chief benefactor. We extend our thanks to Ed for sharing words of wisdom to provide our students with a powerful send-off.

Our graduated students are now poised to embark on many different paths across the globe, from their first jobs to prestigious grad schools to exciting fellowship experiences. I hope they look back on their time at Rochester fondly and know that they are now prepared to make the world ever better.

FACULTY AND STAFF AWARDS

During Commencement, we also took time to recognize outstanding faculty and staff who have had a profound effect preparing our students for success. It is my pleasure to announce these awards:

Hajim School Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a Hajim School faculty member who demonstrates distinction in three key areas: research, education, and service. This year’s recipient is Diane Dalecki, the Kevin J. Parker Distinguished Professor in Biomedical Engineering, adding to a long list of accolades from both the University and her research community. Diane is an internationally recognized researcher in the biological effects of ultrasound and a founding member of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. “At every stage in the BME department’s history, Diane has done the often-challenging work needed to make it a success,” said Stephen McAleavey, associate professor and chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Learn more.

Edmund A. Hajim Outstanding Faculty Award

Douglas Kelley, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and staff scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, earned this year’s Edmund A. Hajim Outstanding Faculty Award. As one of the leading minds in fluid dynamics in the brain, Doug is an NSF CAREER Award winner and has earned more than $26 million as principal investigator or co-PI, of which $9.7 million is as PI. “Over the last nine years Doug Kelley has made outstanding contributions to developing the very high standards of research, teaching, and mentorship, which distinguish our department today,” said Renato Perucchio, professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Learn more.

Edmund A. Hajim Outstanding Staff Awards

We presented our top annual award that recognizes staff contributions to two trusted resources for undergraduate students. This year’s Edmund A. Hajim Outstanding Staff Awards went to Sara Klinkbeil, undergraduate program coordinator for the Department of Computer Science, and Dustin Newman, undergraduate program coordinator for the Institute of Optics. Computer science students, faculty, and staff called Sara a steadying force for the department who provides outstanding leadership and dedication. Dustin’s colleagues at the Institute of Optics praised him for his enthusiasm, the high level of standards he maintains, and above all else, the concern he shows for the Institute’s students. Learn more.

G. Graydon Curtis (’58) and Jane W. Curtis Award for Nontenured Faculty Teaching

Established in honor of Ralph Helmkamp, Class of 1911, a professor of chemistry, this award recognizes teaching excellence by a faculty member who is on the tenure track but not yet tenured. Andrea Pickel, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, is one of two recipients from across the university to receive the award. Learn more.

Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

This award recognizes a record of distinguished undergraduate teaching, typically developed over at least eight years. Recipients also have demonstrated readiness to help less experienced faculty colleagues or teaching assistants master their craft. Professor George Ferguson, codirector of the computer science undergraduate program, is one of three 2023 recipients. Learn more.

Students’ Association Professor of the Year Award

Four Professor of the Year Awards are given out by the Students’ Association Government on behalf of the undergraduates of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering. This April, the Hajim School students selected John Lambropoulos, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and distinguished scientist at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics. Learn more.

STUDENT AWARDS

a woman stands beside two students

Lisa Norwood ’86, ’95W (MS), longtime assistant dean at the Hajim School, left, poses with Justin Pimentel, center, and Zaynab Dantsoho, right, the inaugural Norwood Prize recipients. Photo by Hana Goldstein / University of Rochester

Please also join me in congratulating this year’s recipients of Hajim School student awards for outstanding achievement.

Donald M. Barnard Prize—awarded to engineering students on the basis of personal qualification and achievement

Charbel El Haddad, electrical and computer engineering
Stelios Halioris, mechanical engineering
Sydney Haupt, audio and music engineering
Anna Hazelwood, biomedical engineering
Lingyun Huang, mechanical engineering
Mitchell Kershner, biomedical engineering
Phuong Le, biomedical engineering
Gabriel Medina, optics
Icel Sukovaty, optics
Yufei Zhao, computer science

Richard Eisenberg Engineering Award—recognizing hard-working undergraduates with an interest in metallurgy or materials science

Katie Broun, biomedical engineering
Dani Getz, chemical engineering

Harold Hook Prize—presented to students who have demonstrated outstanding interest in engineering and have conducted research, given a presentation, or published a paper

Melanie Earle, mechanical engineering
Erin Gibson, computer science

Charles L. Newton Prize—recognizing engineering students who show a special proficiency in an engineering subject and have conducted research, given a presentation, or published a paper

Nicholas Achuthan, optics
Nugzari Khalvashi-Sutter, mechanical engineering
Henry Welles, computer science

Lisa Norwood Student Endowment Fund Prize—recognizing students who have shown commitment and service to the Hajim School by building community and belonging

Zaynab Dantsoho, biomedical engineering
Justin Pimentel, computer science

Tau Beta Pi Prize—awarded to a senior who, through academic achievement, proven leadership, and character has excelled and inspired fellow students

Humfrey Kimanya, mechanical engineering
Christopher Lu, biomedical engineering

Outstanding Dissertation Awards— recognizing truly exceptional graduate dissertations by students in Arts, Sciences, & Engineering

John Cognetti, biomedical engineering PhD
Sedigheh Sheykholeslami, mechanical engineering PhD

GRAND CHALLENGES SCHOLARS

Congratulations to 12 graduating students who participated in the Grand Challenges Scholars (GCS) program. The GCS program invites undergraduates to pick one of 14 “grand challenges” of the 21st century, identified by the National Academy of Engineering. Students then tailor their academic experiences to address the challenge they’ve chosen, engaging in five key competencies: research, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary studies, global experience, and service. This year’s graduating scholars are:

Through their projects, the students worked to develop carbon sequestration methods, engineer better medicines, engineer the tools for scientific discovery, provide access to clean water, provide energy from fusion, and reverse-engineer the brain. The students are now heading off to start careers, embark on Fulbright experiences, and continue their studies at prestigious graduate programs.

Each GCS program student prepared a report reflecting on their experience and presented a poster at the Undergraduate Research Exposition. Read more about the students’ projects, what they learned, and their next steps at the GCS program website.

I am so proud of these award recipients, all our graduates, and each one of you who make our Hajim Community a place where students can thrive. Thank you all for another incredible year.

Have a great week!

Your dean,

Wendi Heinzelman