Grainger Engineering Student Awards Ceremony 2026
Grainger Engineering students do the impossible every day. Each year we pause to recognize select students for their outstanding leadership, academic achievement and character. We also take this opportunity to recognize those faculty and staff members chosen by students for going above and beyond in support of their success.
Mark your calendar for this year’s event:
Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 4:00 p.m.
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Building | Grainger Auditorium
306 N Wright St | Urbana, IL 61801
Apply or Nominate Others for Recognition
Explore the awards presented during our ceremony and apply or nominate with confidence — your ideas, leadership and impact belong on a larger stage.
Andrea J. Culumber Memorial Award
Each year, one student is selected for this award based on their leadership skills, enthusiasm, creativity and kindness. This award recipient is also innovative and encourages others to become involved on campus.
The Andrea J. Culumber Memorial Award was established in honor of Grainger Engineering alumna Andrea J. Culumber, who received her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1997. Andrea was heavily involved in student activities both within the Grainger College of Engineering and throughout campus. Her creativity, enthusiasm and positive attitude had a profound impact on all those who interacted with her. She was an excellent role model for her fellow students. Her keen intelligence, outgoing personality and natural leadership style set a high standard for other student leaders on campus.
Engineering Council Community Impact Award
This award is given to an organization in recognition of outstanding community service, outreach, and external engagement.
Engineering Council First Year Service Award
This award is given to a first-year student who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to service within Engineering Council and the broader engineering community.
Engineering Council Most Improved Society
This award is given to an organization that has demonstrated outstanding growth in membership or engagement over the previous year.
Engineering Council Outstanding Advisors
This award is given to faculty and staff members who exemplify excellence and dedication in support of students and their efforts.
Engineering Council Outstanding Society of the Year
This award is given to an organization that surpasses the expectations to promote engineering leadership to their members and fellow societies.
Engineering Council Society President of the Year
This award recognizes a society president who has gone above and beyond in their role and made significant strides in leadership and growth within the organization.
The Everitt Award for Teaching Excellence
This award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding undergraduate teaching. Faculty are nominated for this award because they stand out and are remembered with respect, affection and admiration long after students leave campus. Only students may nominate. The award recipient is determined by a survey of undergraduate students.
Harvey H. Jordan Award
The Harvey H. Jordan Award recognizes the scholastic achievement and character of an outstanding senior. This award is intended to be the equivalent honor to a valedictorian of a senior class. Eligibility is limited to graduating seniors with a 4.0 GPA, and application is by invitation only.
Harvey H. Jordan served many years as a professor of general engineering and associate dean in Grainger Engineering. Former Dean Jordan made several notable contributions to the college during his tenure, and this award is presented in memory of his dedication.
Application by invite only
Henry Ford II Scholar Award
The Henry Ford II Scholar Award is given to an undergraduate student of high academic achievement who intends to pursue graduate studies. Preference is given to students who pursue a field that will contribute to the automotive industry. Eligibility is limited to graduating seniors with a 4.0 GPA, and application is by invitation only.
This award is supported by the Ford Motor Company Fund.
Application by invite only
Kay Simmons-Kappes Outstanding Contribution Scholarships
Two Kay Simmons-Kappes Outstanding Contribution Scholarships are awarded each year: one to a first- or second-year student, and one to a third- or fourth-year student. The recipients are students who demonstrate involvement for the benefit of a specific engineering department or the college as a whole.
An endowment was created by the Engineering Council during the 2007-2008 academic year to fund the two scholarships.
Knights of St. Patrick
As a student, one of the highest honors given by the college is to be inducted as a Knight of St. Patrick. Knights are students who show excellence in leadership, character and contributions to Grainger Engineering and their fellow students. Students are nominated by their fellow students, deans and department heads. The selection committee is made up of former Knights and Honorary Knights. Selected students are then honored at the annual Knights of St. Patrick Ball.
C.S. Larson Transfer Student Award
The C.S. Larson Transfer Student Award celebrates the success of transfer students. The recipient is selected by staff from the office of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment who manage Pathways and Transfer programs.
This award is named after Carl S. Larson, who was a long-time professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, assistant dean and Illinois alumnus. Dean Larson made numerous contributions during his tenure, and he was passionate about helping transfer students join Grainger Engineering. He served as the point person for engineering transfer students and worked with community colleges in Illinois to help prepare students for success upon their transition to the university.
Lisle Abbott Rose Award
The Lisle Abbott Rose Award is given to an outstanding student in the college who most nearly approaches the ideal of technical excellence combined with cultural breadth, depth and sensitivity.
Lisle Abbott Rose was a professor of English who joined Grainger Engineering in 1947. His background in writing and literature combined with engineering helped him be successful in his roles within Grainger Engineering. He wrote and edited several books and papers for the engineering profession. He passed away at the young age of 51, but his legacy lives on through this award. In 1994, his wife, Mildred Mattux Rose, established the Lisle Abbott Rose Award in memory of her husband.
Stanley H. Pierce Memorial Award (Faculty Recipient)
Celebrating the relationship between faculty and students, the Stanley H. Pierce Memorial Award for faculty is presented to a faculty member who has shown consistent effort in improving cooperation between the two groups.
This award was established in honor of Stanley H. Pierce, a former associate dean in Grainger Engineering. Former Dean Pierce was passionate about improving faculty-student interactions, and this award is given in honor of that legacy.
Stanley H. Pierce Memorial Award (Student Recipient)
Celebrating the relationship between faculty and students, the Stanley H. Pierce Memorial Award for students is presented to a student who has shown consistent effort in improving cooperation between the two groups.
This award was established in honor of Stanley H. Pierce, a former associate dean in Grainger Engineering. Former Dean Pierce was passionate about improving faculty-student interactions, and this award is given in honor of that legacy.
William R. Schowalter Award
Each year, the William R. Schowalter Award is given to one student for their oustanding character, creativity, enthusiasm and dedication. The recipient is nominated by a society member of Engineering Council in good standing or by an executive board member of Engineering Council.
Schowalter served as the dean of Grainger Engineering for 12 years. Upon his retirement in 2001, the student-run Engineering Council established an award to acknowledge students with traits similar to him.