May 20, 2024
University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
This week, hundreds of new Hajim School alumni are crisscrossing the globe to embark on exciting new endeavors to make the world ever better—starting first jobs, heading to prestigious fellowships, and studying at top graduate school programs. During commencement this weekend, the Hajim School conferred degrees to nearly 400 undergraduate students, more than 200 master’s students, and almost 100 PhD students.
I want to thank everyone who helped make Commencement Weekend possible, from family members who travelled long distances to celebrate our students to volunteers who served as ushers and guides. Such a wonderful event is a momentous undertaking, and we are truly grateful for all the effort that went into ensuring this weekend would feature moments our new graduates will cherish for the rest of their lives.
Commencement comes with many emotions, but the biggest for me is a sense of pride. Many of these students began their time at the University in the early stages of a pandemic and they have overcome so much to reach this moment. They are now equipped with tools and knowledge to transform society in unimaginable ways.
As graduate student speaker Raquel Ajalik ’23 PhD (biomedical engineering) thoughtfully said during her commencement speech, “What all of our experiences have really allowed us to do is to create a new story as well as the ability to make a new ending wherever we go. To all the students here this morning with so much uncertainty surrounding us: I see you, we need you, and it’s time for each of us to speak up. And remember that we all have what it takes.”
Congratulations to all our new graduates! We wish you all the best.
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Commencement festivities began on Thursday with the induction of new engineers into the Meliora Link of the Order of the Engineer. This year, 152 new alumni accepted the “Obligation of an Engineer” during a ceremony at Strong Auditorium.
During Saturday’s departmental ceremonies, we recognized students with the following annual Hajim School prizes:
- The 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.
- The Donald M. Barnard Prize—awarded to junior or senior engineering students who have been accepted to Rochester’s M.S. programs on the basis of personal qualification and achievement.
- The Richard Eisenberg Engineering Award—given to an undergraduate with an interest in materials science, preferably in metallurgy. Award winners must be hard-working and have Professor Eisenberg’s high ethical standard.
- Yifan Wei (mechanical engineering/computer science)
- Teona Taseska (chemical engineering)
- The G. Harold Hook Prize—presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding interest in engineering.
- Arabella Meacham-Snyder (optical engineering)
- Loralai Crawford (biomedical engineering)
- Lisa Norwood Student Endowment Fund Prize—recognizes students who have shown commitment and service to the Hajim School by building community and belonging.
- Tochukwu Iyke-Nzeocha (biomedical engineering)
- Natalie Fullerman (optical engineering)
- Tau Beta Pi Prize—awarded to a senior who, through academic achievement, proven leadership, and character has excelled and inspired fellow students.
- Aasim Hawa (biomedical engineering)
- Kendall Kohout (biomedical engineering)
Learn about some of the University’s newest graduates at the Making Their Mark page.
FACULTY AND STAFF AWARDS
We also celebrated several outstanding faculty and staff members who have had a profound impact on our teaching and research missions. Here are the individuals recognized with annual awards from the Hajim School and the University:
- Eby Friedman, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received the Hajim School’s top annual faculty award for his tireless efforts and groundbreaking scholarly achievements. The Hajim School presented Eby with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes faculty for outstanding achievements in research, teaching, and leadership over the course of their career.
- Jiebo Luo, the Albert Arendt Hopeman Professor of Engineering, received major awards from both the Hajim School and the University for his outstanding contributions as a scholar, researcher, and educator. Jiebo was awarded the 2024 Edmund A. Hajim Outstanding Faculty Award and the William H. Riker University Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching.
- Assistant Professor Hesam Askari from the Department of Mechanical Engineering was acknowledged by the Office of the Provost for his efforts to create a welcoming learning environment and for working tirelessly to ensure all students understand the material. Hesam received the G. Graydon Curtis ’58 and Jane W. Curtis Award for Non-Tenured Faculty Teaching.
- Tim Woodward, the Hajim School’s director of finance and administration, was recognized for his work to guide the school through significant organizational changes. Tim received the 2024 Edmund A Hajim Outstanding Staff Award.
- Senior Technical Associate Mason Garlatti from the Department of Chemical Engineering won the 2024 Dottie Welch Student Enrichment Award, which recognizes a Hajim School staff member “whose performance and dedication enriches the student experience in the tradition exemplified by Dottie Welch.” We presented Mason with the award on Design Day.
Go to the Hajim School website for more information about these award winners.
ANDY LIU ’24 EARNS NATIONAL STUDENT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
One of our new grads received national recognition from the leading authority on student employment in higher education. Andy Liu ’24 (computer science) won the National Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Award for 2024 from the National Student Employment Association in the undergraduate category.
Andy was among 30 students nominated for the award and is the only winner at the University in the Innovation in Technology category. Liu has been a research assistant with URMC’s Clinical & Translational Service Institute’s Informatics branch since November of 2021, working under the guidance of Professor Dongmei Li and Senior Health Information Data Analyst Zidian Xie.
“My two years of experience have solidified my passion for discovery and applying advanced technologies to benefit society,” Liu said. “My goal is to become a leader in my research field, inspiring and mentoring others in the same transformative way that Dr. Li and Dr. Xie have inspired me.”
Read more on the CTSI website.
FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS MOVE ON TO EXCITING NEXT CHAPTERS
The David T. Kearns Center profiled two new Hajim School graduates who are off to exciting next steps.
Kearns Scholar Oswald Garcia ’24 (electrical and computer engineering) is headed to Chandler, Arizona after landing an engineering job at the global tech company Arm. The setting will be familiar for Oswald since he spent last summer completing a hardware engineering internship at the company. As the first person from his family to graduate from college, Oswald said sharing the news with his parents, who immigrated to the United States from El Salvador, was unforgettable.
“Right after I got off the call, I quickly called my parents, and I said, ‘I got the job offer’ and they started crying and I started crying,” he said. “It was an emotional rollercoaster. I definitely think it was a big relief and weight off my shoulders.”
Read more about Oswald.
The next chapter for Stephany Correa-Diaz (geomechanics) is to begin the masters of the environment program at the University of Colorado, Boulder. For Stephany, a McNair Scholar, this will be an opportunity to pursue their passion for sustainability and position them for a career in energy consulting.
“I want to help promote the transition towards renewable energy and net-zero emissions, and I think helping businesses move towards that goal is the next logical step,” says Stephany. “The technology for a world with net-zero emissions is out there, we just need to implement it.”
Learn more about Stephany.
NSF I-CORPS REGIONAL COURSE
This summer, the University of Rochester in partnership with Syracuse University is offering a semiconductor-focused hybrid I-Corps regional course. The hybrid course will be held June 17 to July 17, beginning online and culminating with a trip to San Francisco for the SEMICON West convention. Up to $5,000 (depending on team size) in travel reimbursement funding will be available for accepted teams. Register online.
NSF I-Corps Regional Courses are for university-based STEM researchers and early-stage startup founders who are interested in exploring the market potential of their work and learning entrepreneurial skills. Participants learn to apply “customer discovery” methodology to evaluate the potential for translating their technology innovation from the lab into a successful product and/or service.
MEMORIAL DAY
Next Monday, the University will be closed in observance of Memorial Day. The next edition of Hajim Highlights will come out on Tuesday, May 28.
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
