CEE student wins Goldwater Scholarship

Derek Vardon, a junior in the Environmental Engineering & Science program, has won a prestigious Barry M. Goldwater scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year.

"I am honored to receive the Goldwater Scholar award and proud to represent the undergraduate research efforts that take place in our department," Vardon said. "The Goldwater award will help me pursue my goals to continue research and complete a doctorate degree in environmental engineering."
 
Originally from Bolingbrook, Ill., Vardon served six years in the U.S. Navy working in the nuclear power field before returning to college. He recently finished work with Mark Clark, a professor emeritus in civil and environmental engineering, investigating remote detection methods for algal blooms and how blooms foul water-treatment membranes. This summer, Vardon will work with Lance Schideman (BS 92, MS 94, PhD 06), a CEE alumnus and U of I professor of agricultural and biological engineering, studying the mass cultivation of algae for biodiesel production and carbon dioxide sequestration. After finishing his PhD, Vardon plans to pursue research in biological methods for pollution mitigation and renewable energy.
 
"I am deeply grateful to the faculty and fellow students in the department who have mentored me throughout my time at the university," he added. "I would especially like to thank Professor Mark Clark, Professor Lance Schideman, and my graduate mentor, David Ladner." He also thanked his wife, Jill, and their son, Kaleb, for their support when he decided to pursue a college education as a non-traditional student.
 
Vardon was one of two Illinois students named as Goldwater recipients this year. A third student, James Polans, of Dekalb, Ill., received an honorable mention. Polans is a junior majoring in electrical engineering and bioengineering who plans to study the interdisciplinary fields of nanotechnology and biomedical solutions in graduate school.
 
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program, established by Congress in 1986, honors Sen. Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona, who served 30 years in the U.S. Senate. He died in 1998. The program aims to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers by awarding scholarships to sophomores and juniors from the U.S. who intend to pursue careers in those fields.
 
Competition for the scholarships is significant. The 278 Goldwater Scholars for 2009-2010 were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,097 students who were nominated by faculty members. The one- and two-year scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.
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Writer: Celeste Arbogast Bragorgos, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 217/333-6955.
 
If you have any questions about the College of Engineering, or other story ideas, contact Rick Kubetz, Engineering Communications Office, 217/244-7716, editor.