Dean's Medal for Academic Excellence
Each year, the UW Engineering dean recognizes two exceptional students for academic excellence. Students must meet specific eligibility requirements and are selected from among those nominated by department chairs and reviewed by a selection committee.
Selection criteria include grades, rigor and distribution of courses, research experience, extracurricular activities, and leadership.
Congratulations to the 2012 Medalists!
Benjamin Dulken
Bioengineering
Ben is graduating in bioengineering with an outstanding academic record and impressive accomplishments in research. As a bioengineering major with a chemistry minor, he spent 12 quarters on the Dean’s List and has been awarded both college and departmental honors. One of his professors writes, "He was a star student in every way: thoughtful, present (physically and mentally), respectful, inquisitive."
While at UW, Ben has been named a Goldwater Scholar, an Amgen Scholar, a Levinson Scholar, and a two-time Mary Gates Scholar. He has presented his research at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting as a Thomas J. Bardos Travel Award Recipient and this year was awarded the Miller First Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Research.
Ben made time to study German and participated in funded summer research in Berlin in 2011 as part of the Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) program, funded by the German government.
In his "spare" time, Ben has participated in Bioengineers Without Borders, various cycling clubs and teams, the Undergraduate Research Leaders, and has served as treasurer of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society. He has also volunteered extensively at the DESC Homeless Shelter and the UW Medical Center.
After graduation, Ben will pursue an MD/PhD at Stanford University.
Emily Hollenbeck
Chemical Engineering
Emily is graduating with a BS in chemical engineering and a stellar record. One of her professors notes she has "...an outstanding academic record, demonstrated outstanding research accomplishments to date, and great potential as an engineer, a researcher/scholar, and a leader."
Emily has worked with Professor Sam Jenekhe for three years researching new semiconducting organic materials for use in electronic devices. She recently presented their research at the American Chemical Society National Meeting in San Diego.
Emily has received many honors and awards. She is a Mary Gates Honors Scholar, a NASA Space Grant Scholar, a Society of Women Engineers Outstanding Undergraduate Female, and will graduate with departmental and college honors as well. In addition to her academic record, Emily has been involved in many activities such as the Honors Program Hiking Club and EarthCorps.
Emily's college career also includes participation in the Honors Study Abroad Program in Rome and Istanbul, where she studied art history and the interaction of Mediterranean cultures, and a summer internship with the Dow Chemical Company.
Emily will attend Stanford University in the fall and pursue a PhD in chemical engineering. She hopes to stay in the realm of materials-related research, especially where it applies to renewable energies.