Fall 2020

Outstanding Graduating Mechanical Engineering Senior Award

The Outstanding Graduating Mechanical Engineering 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.

Gracie Cole

Gracie Cole is exemplary in all criteria. She is part of the Tau Beta Pi Honors Society and leads the Re-Volt Senior Design Project. Furthermore, she has shown dedication to the community through tutoring, coaching high school and middle school field hockey, and serving on the Diversity, Inclusion and Access Committee for the Mechanical Engineering Department. Gracie deeply cares that she gives her best, high-quality work, and that all students are heard.

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.

Shelby Ryan

Shelby Ryan has assisted countless students in the machine shop. If one sees an impressive Senior Design project, chances are Shelby helped make it happen. As some put it, he is “a machine shop wizard.” He loves helping others and lending his machine and design knowledge. He is the embodiment of the team-player engineer.

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.

Ryan Frederickson

Ryan Frederickson is an exceptional student of this kind. He is a member of the Blue Key Honor Society, and is highly active in the Mines community. From dance teams to the Maker Society and the Mines Philanthropy Council, he has participated in a wide range of activities and enjoys helping others. He has also taken on various leadership roles, such as organizing meal swipe drives in the Mines Market to feed hungry students. In addition to his philanthropic and academic activities, Ryan has studied algae for use in biofuel, and now works on prototypes of satellites and other spacecraft for Roccor, LLC.

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.

Jasmin Honegger

Upon defending her PhD at Mines in the fall of 2020, Jasmin Honegger moved to the Netherlands to begin working as a Research Engineer at Xsens — a company that supplies inertial sensors and 3D motion capture products based on miniature MEMS technology. Jasmin works in the Technology group conducting research to help deliver performance insights aimed at improving algorithms for motion tracking applications, especially for sports and health applications. Each day is different and poses a new challenge! She is often testing new algorithms, collecting biomechanical data, or helping to oversee interns working on new interesting research projects. Her team is multidisciplinary and multicultural; Jasmin loves working with people from a variety of backgrounds.

Past Award Winners