Spring 2023 Student Marshals

The Penn State College of Engineering has named its student marshals for the spring 2023 commencement ceremony. One student is selected to represent each of the 14 majors associated with the college and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. 

Student marshals are selected for their outstanding academic achievement and contributions to engineering student life. 

Ryan Menges

Aerospace Engineering

Ryan Menges will receive a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering with a minor in information sciences and technology for aerospace engineering.

Menges earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the President’s Freshman Award, President Sparks Award, Evan Pugh Scholar Award, Richard W. Leonhard Scholarship in Aerospace Engineering, and Ray and Charlote Warnock Scholarship.

As an undergraduate researcher in the Department of Aerospace Engineering, he completed work on “Hardware-in-the-Loop Demonstration for Rendezvous and Close Proximity Operations” and “Trajectory Optimization—Particle Swarm Optimization.”

He served as a learning assistant for AERSP 309: Astronautics in fall 2022 and AERSP 304: Dynamics and Control of Aerospace Systems in spring 2023.

As a safety and reliability systems engineering intern for Pratt and Whitney, Menges performed safety risk analyses, updated an engine failure database, compiled hazard and risk assessment ratios, and converted a safety risk analysis Fortran code into MATLAB for current and future engines. As a strategic improvements engineering intern for BAE Systems, he transformed a method of production using methods of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma.

Upon graduation, Menges will serve as a research intern with the Air Force Research Lab and will attend the University of Colorado Boulder in pursuit of a doctoral degree in aerospace engineering.

Autumn Majchrzak

Architectural Engineering

Autumn Majchrzak will receive her integrated bachelor of architectural engineering and master of architectural engineering in architectural engineering.

Majchrzak earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the President Walker Award, President Sparks Award, Evan Pugh Scholar Award, Outstanding Performance in Structures during her fourth-year, Clark Scholarship, Ready to Succeed Scholarship, Vincent L. Pass Scholarship in Architectural Engineering, Michael J. & Virginia A. Youchak Scholarship, Louis and Judy Geschwindner Endowed Scholarship in Architectural Engineering, Gladys M. Baird Scholarship in Architectural Engineering, Melvin H. Peters Endowed Scholarship in Engineering, and Brennen Family Scholarship in Architectural Engineering. She was a member of the Lambda Sigma National Honor Society.

As an undergraduate researcher, Majchrzak documented properties of the design of steel research facilities at Penn State University Park and found trends in the data.

Majchrzak served as a grader for AE 401: Design of Steel and Wood Structures for Buildings and AE 403: Advanced Steel Design for Buildings and as an Engineering Peer Advising Leader for the College of Engineering’s Advising Center, assisting other undergraduate engineering students on with scheduling, curriculum requirement questions, and information on how to become involved with organizations. She also participated in Behrend Benefitting THON, the Penn State Behrend Honors Program, and the Society of Women Engineers.

As a structural engineering intern for Keystone Structural Group, Majchrzak designed wood and steel structures, drew details and plans, and surveyed sites for existing conditions.

Lindsey Bell

Biological Engineering

Lindsey Bell will receive her bachelor of science in biological engineering with a minor in biomedical engineering.

As a Schreyer Honors College student, she completed a bachelor’s thesis on the lifecycle assessment of a cultured beef patty with a textured soy protein scaffold.

Bell earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, President Sparks Award, President’s Freshman Award, NASA PA Space Grant, and the Most Innovative Design at the College of Engineering Design Showcase. 

As a research intern with the Biogeochemistry Lab, she aided in modeling the relationship between filter strip treatments and nitrogen leaching. Bell also served as a research assistant with the Bioconversion Research Lab where she maintained fed-batch reactors and performed assays at different pH levels. As a full-time home habilitation aide for UCP Central PA, Bell assisted an adult with disabilities with daily living at home and in the community. Bell also participated in the Penn State Recreational Fencing Club.

Upon graduation, Bell will attend graduate school for biological or biomedical engineering.

Lauren Spadt

Biomedical Engineering

Lauren Spadt will receive her bachelor of science in biomedical engineering.

As a Schreyer Honors College student, she completed a bachelor’s thesis on exosome interactions in CAR-T cell therapy.

Spadt earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, President Sparks Award, President's Freshman Award, Academic Excellence Scholarship from Schreyer Honors College, Leadership Stipend from the Women in Engineering Program, and Remote Innovation Grant from Penn State Student Engagement Network.

From 2021-23, she served as the vice president of Alpha Epsilon Delta.

Spadt participated in the Penn State Women Engineering Program, serving as an academic facilitator from 2020-23; the Access Club at Penn State, serving as the treasurer from 2021-22 and president from 2022-23; the Presbyterian Student Fellowship, serving as the treasurer from 2021-22 and president from 2022-23; and Big Brothers Big Sisters as a “big sister” from 2021-23. She also served as a college student summer volunteer in 2021 at the Doylestown Hospital.

As an emergency medical technician for Keystone Quality Transport, Spadt monitored patients' conditions and vital signs, driving ambulances safely, charting in an electronic health record. She also served as a medical assistant with the Pennsylvania Pain and Spine Institute, where she processed and digitized medical and financial documentation and facilitated patient-doctor communication. As a CHEM 110H: Honor Chemical Principles I grader, Spadt evaluated 40 students' weekly homework and quizzes, and provided personalized feedback to each student.

Upon graduation, Spadt will attend University of Virginia School of Medicine to pursue her medical degree.

Abbey J. Kollar

Chemical Engineering

Abbey Kollar will receive her bachelor of science in chemical engineering with a minor in applied economics.

As a Schreyer Honors College student, she completed a bachelor’s thesis on industrial waste metals as potential catalysts for hydrothermal liquefaction of synthetic and biopolymers. 

Kollar earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, President’s Freshman Award, William and Wyllis Leonhard Engineering Scholarship, Schreyer Honors Scholarship, Kenneth R. and Cynthia A. Graziani Honors Scholarship in Chemical Engineering, Aura Lee Supina Memorial Scholarship, Erickson Discovery Grant, and Chemical Engineering Biofellowship.

Kollar participated in Eco Action, serving as its treasurer in 2020 and co-president in 2021. She also served as a grading assistant for ECON 102: Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy in spring 2021 and as a learning assistant for ECON 302: Intermediate Microeconomics in fall 2021. In spring 2022, she studied abroad at the University of London.

As a tutor for Tierney Education, LLC, Kollar hosted group review sessions and one-on-one tutoring sessions. As a technical policy intern with Washington Internships for Students of Engineering, sponsored by the American Institute of Chemical Engineering, she authored and published a technical policy paper on reducing nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizers.

After graduation, Kollar plans to attend graduate school.

Martha Christino

Civil Engineering

Martha Christino will receive a bachelor of science in civil engineering and a bachelor of science in meteorology and atmospheric science.

As a Schreyer Honors College student, she completed a bachelor’s thesis on analysis of environmental factors contributing to the eyewall replacement cycle of hurricanes.

Christino earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, President Sparks Award, President’s Freshman Award, Air Force ROTC Meritorious Service Award, Air Force ROTC Commendation Award, Air Force Association Award, Air Force ROTC Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction Award, Air Force ROTC American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award, Matthew J. Wilson Honors Scholarship, Walter J. Kinsey Honors Scholarship, Robert Case Memorial Scholarship for Meteorology Students, Marie Radomsky and Vernon W. Ellzey Honors Scholarship, and Schreyer Honors College Academic Excellence Scholarship. 

As an undergraduate researcher, Christino served as a research team lead and report author on “Altitude Impact on Solar Irradiance for Special Operations Power Generation” through the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, a researcher and author on “Acid Mine Drainage Passive Treatment System Analysis” through the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and as researcher and author on “Metacognition in Tactical Level Leadership” and “Trauma and Leadership Development for the University’s Military Studies.

As a project management intern with the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, she served as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design analyst and site work and site construction lead.

Christino participated in the Aerospace Studies Student Organization, Incarnation Campus Fellowship, Nittanyville, and Reformed University Fellowship.

Upon graduation, Christino will attend graduate school.

Muskan Rathi

Computer Engineering

Muskan Rathi will receive a bachelor of science in computer engineering and a bachelor of science in economics. 

As a Schreyer Honors College student, she completed a bachelor’s thesis on collusion detection in auctions using machine learning algorithms. Rathi also served as an undergraduate researcher on two research projects— Multipurpose and multifunctional add-on raspberry-pi board and an NLP research project, where she developed sentiment-identifying python model using NLP techniques.

Rathi earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the President's Freshman Award and Evan Pugh Scholar Award. In fall 2019, she won second place in the Engineering Consulting Collaborative Case Competition.

Rathi participated in the Indian Culture and Language Club, serving as the first-year representative in 2019 and the public relations chair; Women in Engineering Program, serving as a study group leader in fall 2020; Global Engagement and Leadership Experience, serving as a select participant in spring 2020; and Penn State Alternative Breaks, serving as a select volunteer in spring 2020. She also served as a lab assistant in spring 2022 for EE 210: Circuits and Devices and as a learning assistant for CMPEN 270: Digital Design Theory and Practice beginning in fall 2022.

Ziping Ye

Computer Science

Ziping Ye will receive a bachelor of science in computer science with a minor in mathematics.

As a Schreyer Honors College student, he completed a bachelor’s thesis on runtime threat detection for cellular devices.

Ye earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, Engagement Excellence Award, President Sparks Award, President’s Freshman Award, David and Shirley Wormley Engineering Scholarship, College of Engineering Equity Research Experience for Undergraduates, Student Engagement Network Grant, and Schreyer Honors College Summer Research Grant. 

As an undergraduate research assistant, he completed research efforts on two projects—" Landscape of Neural Network” and “Explanation Assisted Adversarial Example Generation.”

Ye participated in Eta Kappa Nu; the Golden Key International Honor Society; the International and Multicultural Association of Schreyer Scholars, serving as the founding president; SHO TIME 2022, serving as a mentor; Connect Networking & Career Day 2022, serving as a volunteer; Deloitte Leadership Development Center, serving as a selected participant; and All Scholar Involvement Fair Planning Committee, serving as a committee member.

Upon graduation, Ye will attend graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania for computer and information science.

Conor Matthews

Data Science

Conor Matthews will receive his bachelor of science in data science with minors in statistics and mathematics.

Matthews earned several awards and scholarships as an undergraduate student, including the Evan Pugh Award, President Sparks Award, President's Freshman Award, and Penn State Provost Award. 

He participated in Penn State THON™ as a donor and alumni relations committee member in 2021, as a dancer in 2022, and as a technology captain in 2022-23; HEAL as an administrative chair in 2021-22 and an alternative fundraising chair in 2022-23; Tea Society at Penn State as the social media chair in 2020-21, president in 2022, and secretary in 2023; and in HackPSU as part of the communications committee in 2020.

As a radar systems engineering intern for Lockheed Martin, Matthews developed tools for analyzing simulated radar data.

Upon graduation, Matthews will join Epic Systems as a software developer.

Chizbel Oham

Electrical Engineering

Chizbel Oham will receive a bachelor of science in electrical engineering with a minor in computer engineering.

She earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the President Walker Award, President Sparks Award, Evan Pugh Scholar Award, and the David DeVore Scholarship in Electrical Engineering.

As a member of the Huff Research Group, Oham supported the PySDR: Software Defined Radios and Digital Signal Processing using Python research project by studying PySDR and assisting with the development of software-defined radio resources for adaptive antennas.

She participated in Chi Alpha as a member from 2020-23 and as its president from 2022-23, a Penn State Engineering Peer Mentor from 2022-23, and as a member of the Penn State School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Advisory Committee from 2022-23. Oham worked as a Penn State dining crew leader, overseeing and training coworkers at food stations, and as an electrical engineering stockroom attendant, providing electrical engineering students with equipment and parts necessary to complete labs.

Upon graduation, Oham plans to work as an electrical engineer.

Andrew Wertz

Engineering Science 

Andrew Wertz will receive his bachelor of science in engineering science with a minor in mechatronics.

As a Schreyer Honors College student, he completed a bachelor’s thesis on the design of a shape-memory alloy-based vertical swimming system for a modular, robotic fish.

Wertz earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, President Sparks Award, President’s Freshman Award, Joseph Marin Memorial Scholarship, Theodore Holden Thomas Jr. Memorial Scholarship, Coffey Scholarship in Engineering Science and Mechanics, and Carl L. Bruno Scholarship.

Wertz participated in Penn State Club Cross Country, serving as the group’s workout chair in 2023; Penn State THON™ via Penn State Club Cross Country; and the Penn State Robotics Club. 

As a make-space assistant for the School of Engineering Design and Innovation, he aided professors in teaching EDSGN 100: Cornerstone Engineering Design and answered students' questions during office hours. Wertz completed a mechanical engineering internship with RE2 Robotics, where he designed prototypes for the use of robotic arms for solar panel installation and subsea exploration.

Upon graduation, Wertz will remain at Penn State to pursue a graduate degree in engineering science and mechanics.

Jack Ramsey

Industrial Engineering

Jack Ramsey will earn a bachelor of science in industrial engineering with minors in Six Sigma and economics.

While at Penn State, he earned several awards and scholarships, including qualifying for the Dean’s List each semester and receiving the Harold A. Johnson Scholarship in Industrial Engineering and Harold and Inge Marcus Undergraduate Scholarship Fund.

Ramsey participated in the Penn State Boxing Club, serving as its treasurer in 2020-21, secretary in 2012-22, and captain in 2022-23.

As a manufacturing engineering intern for LivaNova, Ramsey carried out projects related to process improvement in the medical device industry.

Upon graduation, he will join Flowserve as an IGNITE program engineer.

Grace Sibley

Mechanical Engineering

Grace Sibley will receive her bachelor of science in mechanical engineering with a minor in psychological science.

As a Schreyer Honors College student, she completed a bachelor’s thesis on how designers' resilience and perceptions of scarcity affect perceptions of design performance. Sibley also served as an undergraduate research assistant in Human Technology Interaction Lab under Dr. Yiqi Zhang, assistant professor of industrial engineering.

While at Penn State, Sibley earned several awards and scholarships, including the President Walker Award, President Sparks Award, Evan Pugh Scholar as a third- and fourth-year student, Dean’s List each semester, Student Leader Scholarship, John K. Miller Undergraduate Scholarship in the College of Engineering, The Exelon Corp Scholarship, Francine Battaglia Mechanical Engineering Scholarship, Morrow End Scholarship College of Engineering, REU Scholarship, B. Bruce Hamilton Memorial Scholarship, and the Boeing Company Scholarship.

As a research and development intern for 3M, she supported the medical adhesive testing system for three-dimensional surfaces. Sibley also served as a quality engineer intern for General Motors, where she worked on four-cylinder engine blocks used in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles. As a Penn State Learning Factory @ home intern, she jumpstarted two micro-credential programs for professional development and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Sibley participated in Penn State THON™ as the alumni engagement captain for the donor and alumni relations committee and as a dancer. She served as the vice president and the donor and alumni relations chair of the Schreyer Student council and as the logistics officer and treasurer for the Penn State student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Sibley served as a member of the Phi Beta Lambda, a professional business fraternity; a public speaking mentor for the Penn State Undergraduate Speaking Center; and a member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Committee for the Schreyer Honors College.

Upon graduation, Sibley will join 3M as a product engineer.

Alex Nellis

Nuclear Engineering

Alex Nellis will receive a bachelor of science in nuclear engineering and a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering.

Nellis earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including qualifying for the Dean’s List each semester, the Moul Family Fund for Reactor Operator Internships, Monty Shultz Scholarship for Excellence in Nuclear Engineering, and Ahlstrom 2022 Scholarship. 

He participated in the Collegiate Counterstrike: Global Offensive League; Tau Beta Pi; and Alpha Nu Sigma, serving as its treasurer in 2021 and the vice president in 2022-23; Penn State Robotics club, serving as a group lead in 2019; and Penn State’s student chapter of the American Nuclear Society.

As an engineering intern for Pretium Packaging, Nellis supported the maintenance and improvement of ten industrial blow-molding machines. As a reactor operator intern at the University’s Radiation Science and Engineering Center, he supported the operation of a TRIGA Mk. III nuclear reactor and maintenance of the facility. As the chief technical officer for Radical Energy and Materials, LLC, Nellis worked on the development of an automatic radioactive isotope device and software.

Nellis will attend graduate school at Penn State for nuclear engineering upon graduation.

Benjamin Probert

ROTC

Benjamin Probert will receive his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering.

While at Penn State, he earned several awards, including the Lieutenant Junior Grade Brandan McCombie Memorial Award and Reserve Officers Association Award.

As an engineering, scientific, and technical intern for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Probert completed inspections, materials testing, and documentation related to highway and bridge construction.

He served in Penn State’s Naval ROTC, earning Battalion Executive Officer during the fall 2022 semester. 

Upon graduation, Probert will join the Navy. He will attend flight school in Pensacola, FL to train to become a naval aviator.