Spring 2021

Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Graduating Senior Award

The Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Graduating Senior Award is given to one student each fall and spring that has displayed excellent academic ability, involvement in extracurricular activities, and/or a strong commitment to community service.

Tyler Pritchard

Tyler has been an exceptional student since the day he stepped onto campus. He has contributed to research in the Colorado Fuel Cell Center which is in preparation for submission to Nature-Communications, jump-started sustainability efforts on campus and at the Colorado Legislature, and served communities in Nepal and Nicaragua by designing infrastructure improvements, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

The John Steele Commemorative Service Award

The John Steele Commemorative Service Award is given to one graduating senior each fall and spring that has displayed outstanding service to the Department of Mechanical Engineering during their time at Mines.

Connor Smith

Connor was nominated by his peers more frequently than anyone else in the department.  Connor has served in Residence Life, Undergraduate Student Government, The University Innovation Fellows Program, and AIAA. This is what one of his peers wrote about Connor:  “Connor Smith is one of the most highly motivated and dedicated people I know. He puts his full effort into everything he engages with and champions others along the way. Connor is a friendly, inclusive, and hard working person who is cherished by many people in the Mines Community. Connor has left a positive impact on the Mines community in countless ways, and he is very deserving of this award as he shows everyday a truly outstanding character. “

Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Student Athlete Award

The Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Student Athlete Award honors one student each fall and spring that has excelled in both academics and athletics. The winner of this award is a varsity athlete who competes at a high level, displays strong academic performance, and serves others in their community.

Chaney Brugman

When we were reviewing nominations this semester for awards, we thought Chaney was so awesome that there should be an award to honor ME student athletes, so we made one. Chaney has not only competed at a high level on the varsity women’s soccer team as first team all RMAC, RMAC first team all-academic.  

“In her free time she is a mentor to young girls who don’t quite fit in due to their STEM aspirations. She takes them to ice cream and paints a beautiful picture of what the future of being in STEM can look like for them. My younger sister who has struggled finding a passion for school and is now in 7th grade came out for a weekend last fall and ended up talking to Chaney over an impromptu chocolate fountain Chaney had designed. I wasn’t there to listen in on the chat but after my sister went home my mom baffled her grades started going up and she was studying every night. When my mom asked her what was with the change she simply replied she is going to be the first person on Mars. “

Mechanical Engineering Emeritus Faculty Undergraduate Award

The Mechanical Engineering Emeritus Faculty Undergraduate Award is given to one graduating senior who is a well-rounded outstanding student, who displays significant engagement with the Mechanical Engineering Department, the broader campus of Mines and the community.

Taylor Duffy

Taylor has shown tremendous grit during her time at Mines. Taylor refused to give up after a difficult freshman year and worked hard to earn her ME degree and internships with Lockheed Martin. Taylor fought through COVID-19 long-hauler symptoms to finish her degree program and will now go on to work at Lockheed-Martin.

Mechanical Engineering Emeritus Faculty Graduate Award

The Mechanical Engineering Emeritus Faculty Graduate Award is given to one graduate who is a well-rounded outstanding student, who displays significant engagement with the Mechanical Engineering Department, the broader campus of Mines and the community.

Oluwaseun (Seun) Ogunmodede

Seun is a triple digger, earning his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. from Mines. He has consistently served the department by meeting with prospective students, interviewing department head candidates.  As an undergrad he competed in varsity Track and Field and Soccer. Seun holds the school record in the high jump and triple jump and was a NCAA national competitor in those events as well as the long jump, in which he holds the second longest jump school record.  

As a graduate student, Seun has been an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) and served on the INFORMS minority issues forum.  

Seun completed research projects focused on Operations Research as a graduate student. He worked with companies such as NREL, Jeppesen, and Newmont Mining. Seun recently defended his doctoral thesis, “Modelling and Solving Large Scale Optimization Models: Case Studies in Renewable Energy and Mining”, which was a finalist for the Rath Research Award. Congratulations Seun on all your accomplishments!

Mechanical Engineering E-Days Engineer Award

The Mechanical Engineering E-Days Engineer Award honors a student that embodies the characteristics of a true Oredigger. E-Days Engineers display strong academics, are well-rounded outside of the classroom, which may include involvement in student organizations and clubs, athletics, and/or community service. The ideal nominee is someone who has made a large impact on the Oredigger community.

Taryn Tucker

Taryn has demonstrated academic excellence, worked in an aerospace internship with Sierra Nevada Corporation, and led STEM outreach efforts to different age levels through the Society of Women Engineers. One of her peers had this to say when she nominated Taryn: “Taryn works really hard both in and out of the classroom. She is really passionate about everything she does and she goes out of her way to help others.”

Past Award Winners