Spring 2026 Student Marshals

The Penn State College of Engineering has named its student marshals for the spring 2026 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. 

Alexandria Victoria Rhoads

Aerospace Engineering

Alexandria Victoria Rhoads will receive a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering with a minor in women's, gender, and sexuality studies. 

As a Schreyer Honors College student, Rhoads completed a thesis investigating complexity-aware path planning for online UAV-based 3D reconstruction.

Rhoads earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, President Sparks Award, President Walker Award, and the Everetts Family Endowed Scholarship.

Rhoads was an active member of the Sigma Gamma Tau honor society and the Tau Beta Pi honor society. She was also a member of the Penn State Advanced Vehicle team, Penn State Shell Eco-Marathon team, Women in Engineering Program, No Refund Theatre, and Penn State Thespian Society.

As an engineering intern with RPA Engineering, she collaborated with an interdisciplinary engineering team to design and implement changes to HVAC infrastructure within existing buildings and completed an intern project consisting of designing, proposing, building, and marketing a low-cost and energy saving solution to a problem. She also analyzed current product line processes to improve standardization and industrialization of satellite bus manufacturing and developed python tools to support value-driven design and next-generation satellite manufacturing as a space business operations intern with Airbus U.S. Space & Defense.

Upon graduation, Rhoads plans to pursue a graduate degree in aerospace engineering.

AnnMarie Rose Bendixen

Architectural Engineering

AnnMarie Rose Bendixen will receive an integrated bachelor of architectural engineering and master of architectural engineering.

Bendixen earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the EwingCole Inc. Endowed Award in Architectural Engineering, the President Walker Award, and the Gladys Baird Scholarship for Architectural Engineering.

Bendixen was an active member of the Phi Eta Sigma honor society, the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, Student Society of Architectural Engineers, and the Structural Engineers Association of Pennsylvania. She also served as an engineering peer advising leader.

As an intern for Blum Construction, Bendixen worked on a multi-building student housing project consisting of three structures at varying stages of construction, from structural work to MEP rough-ins. She also contributed to a college gym renovation and the construction of a new retirement community building, supporting both preconstruction and closeout phases. As a structural intern for Lynch Mykins Structural, she assisted senior engineers with structural design and analysis for a variety of projects, supporting the design of concrete, steel, and wood elements and gained hands-on experience with industry design software, calculating lateral loading on structures, and verifying site compliance with construction documents.

Upon graduation, Bendixen will join Ehlert Bryan Consulting Structural Engineers as a design engineer.

Logan Shay Hakes

Biological Engineering

Logan Shay Hakes will receive a bachelor of science in biological engineering with a minor in biomedical engineering.

Hakes earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the Dean’s List every semester, the Martenas Family Trustee Scholarship, and the Thomas and Sandra Scholarship.

He completed research in sustainable media as an alternative for soil for the Penn State Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. His responsibilities included creating soilless media for plant growth using organic materials, optimizing media expansion through heat transfer and material composition, and analyzing how organic compounds affect the adhesivity, texture, and stability of a final product.

Hakes was an active member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Ethan Chad Smucker

Biomedical Engineering

Ethan Chad Smucker will receive a bachelor of science in biomedical engineering with a minor in engineering mechanics.

As a Schreyer Honors College student, Smucker completed a thesis investigating an improved electrospinning apparatus for development of poly-L-lactic acid-gelatin copolymer scaffolds.

Smucker earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the Penn State Provost Award, the Harper Merit Scholarship, Boscov Honor Program Scholarship, and the King Family Trustee Scholarship.

He was an active member of the Engineering Orientation Network and Residence Life.

As a research and development original equipment manufacturer product development intern with B. Braun Medical Inc., Smucker worked on several projects at different stages of the product development lifecycle and contributed to project workflow by supporting customer calls and providing input in weekly team meetings. He also led the initiation of a product change by organizing department responsibilities and project deliverables.

Upon graduation, Smucker plans to pursue a role as a product development engineer or clinical specialist in the medical device industry.

Jacob Alexander Capets

Chemical Engineering

Jacob Alexander Capets will receive a bachelor of science in chemical engineering with a minor in mathematics.

As a Schreyer Honors College Student, Capets completed a thesis on the rapid self-healing, covalently tethered vinylogous urethane vitrimer coatings.

Capets earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the President Walker Award, President Sparks Award, Evan Pugh Scholar Award, Leighton and Lorene Riess Scholarship in Chemical Engineering, and Kimberly, Tony, and Carol Fick Honors Scholarship in the College of Engineering.

Capets was an active member in Omega Chi Epsilon, Global Medical Brigades, and the Science Olympiad Alumni at Penn State.

He completed research in self-healing coatings and composites at Penn State under the direction of Dr. Christian Pester and Dr. Bryan Vogt, was published in Advanced Functional Materials, and holds a pending patent application on these technologies. His research included spearheading an independent research project focused on polymer chemistry and surface engineering, exceeding the scope of a typical undergraduate education through working with doctoral students and University faculty, and training other laboratory personnel on techniques including optical profilometry and surface-initiated photoinduced electron transfer-reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization.

As a FLO-GARDTM product development intern with PPG, Capets worked to improve the FLO-GARDTM product line—an additive to improve the flowability of powdered food products. He identified relevant powder flow parameters and developing standardized experimental methods for the product line, explored differences between research in academia versus industry under a world-class research team, and developed an improved silica morphology for use in flow-aid applications of powdered food products. While at PPG, Capets also worked as a development intern in Novel Electrocoat Technologies research and development for POWERCRONTM products to improve protection against corrosion on metal substrates. At Penn State, Capets served as a teaching assistant in Honors Organic Chemistry I and II.

Upon graduation, Capets will pursue a doctorate in chemical engineering at University of California, Berkeley. 

Collin Joseph Edgell

Civil Engineering

Collin Joseph Edgell will receive a bachelor of science in civil engineering.

Edgell earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the President Walker Award, Dean’s List every semester, and the Frank Holzer Memorial Scholarship.

Edgell was an active member of Chi Epsilon, Cru at Penn State, Essence of Joy, the Penn State Blue Band, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

As an engineering intern with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Edgell assisted with conducting inventories of existing bridge elements and participates in field views for structures without plans, supported the completion of structure cost data sheets, and drafted existing structure plans.

Upon graduation, Edgell plans to pursue a graduate degree in transportation engineering.

Joseph Dominic De Vito

Computer Engineering

Joseph Dominic De Vito will receive a bachelor of science in computer engineering.

De Vito was named to the Dean’s List every semester.

De Vito was an active member of the Penn State intramural soccer team, Multicultural Engineering Program Orientation, and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). He competed on the SHPE Academic Olympiad Team, winning second place at the 2025 national conference. He also served as a CMPSC 131/132 learning assistant for Penn State.

As a system administration intern for First Energy, De Vito helped develop an internal .NET application to display client information with an Extensible Application Markup Language designed graphical user interface for readability, implemented and integrated Perl scripts that were requested by coworkers to optimize the processes of specific tasks, utilized Perl to write scripts that request data from active directory, and performed software installs and database updates in a Microsoft Windows-based environment. As a software engineering intern with Morgan Stanley, De Vito developed a historical order validator that utilizes an external Python server for a central risk book trading application, extracted historical time-series data from KDB using Q and processed it into JavaScript Object Notation objects on the main Java application side, and collaborated with a team of software engineers in an Agile Scrum environment, managing the project in Jira.

Upon graduation, De Vito will join Morgan Stanley as a software engineer in the technology analyst program for new graduates.

Jiya Patel

Computer Science

Jiya Patel will receive a bachelor of science in computer science with minors in mathematics and cybersecurity computational foundations.

As a Schreyer Honors College student, Patel completed a thesis on a deep dive into credential gathering attacks. She also completed research on malicious URL detection  while at Penn State with responsibilities that included researching and comparing traditional and modern approaches for malicious URL detection, evaluating multiple machine learning models, reviewing deep learning techniques for scalability and real-world applicability, and designing and presenting a research poster highlighting methodology, analysis, and future directions in cybersecurity detection systems.

Patel earned several awards while at Penn State, including the President Walker Award, President Sparks Award, and Evan Pugh Scholar Award.

She was an active member of the Women in Tech Club at Penn State Harrisburg, the Global Careers Institute, the Deloitte Leadership Development Center, and the American Sign Language Organization. She served as a global ambassador for Penn State Harrisburg Global's International Students Services and participated in HIST 144H: France World War II.

Patel competed in the American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges Student Math League Round 1, winning first place in 2023.

As a field application engineer intern for Advantech Corporation in Japan, Patel established a server-client Internet of Things system using DeviceOn for device onboarding, data acquisition, and visualization. She also integrated a robot operating system with YOLOv11-based camera detection in an autonomous mobile robot prototype and configured Secure and unified smart interface application programming interface to manage hardware controls.

As a Penn State math tutor, teaching assistant, and peer adviser, Patel tutored students in calculus, algebra, and trigonometry through Penn State Learning; supported students with financial computations including taxes, interest, annuities, bonds, mortgages, and mutual funds for MATH 34; and guided students in course selection and academic planning.

Upon graduation, Patel plans to pursue a graduate degree in digital forensics and cybersecurity.

Kush Lalwani

Data Science

Kush Lalwani will receive a bachelor of science in data sciences with minors in statistics and mathematics.  

Lalwani was named to the Dean’s List every semester.

He was an active member of Penn State THON, HackPSU, Nittany Motorsports, and Penn State JaDhoom, and participated in intramural soccer, flag football, and basketball.

As an artificial intelligence (AI) mathematics intern for Outlier AI, Lalwani developed and reviewed advanced mathematics problems for large language models, evaluated model accuracy and reasoning quality, graded and provided structured feedback on AI-generated solutions, and documented performance insights to support model improvement.

Upon graduation, Lalwani will join Accenture Federal Service as an AI data analyst.

Charles George Parides

Electrical Engineering

Charles George Parides will receive a bachelor of science in electrical engineering with minors in mathematics and physics.

Parides earned multiple awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the President Walker Award, President Sparks Award, Evan Pugh Scholar Award, and the Clifford B. Holt Jr. Memorial Scholarship.

As a research and development engineering intern with the Penn State Applied Research Laboratory, Parides assisted senior engineers in the development of electronic systems.

Upon graduation, Parides plans to pursue a graduate degree in electrical engineering.

Owen Samuel Vreeland

Engineering Science 

Owen Samuel Vreeland will receive a bachelor of science in engineering science with minors in engineering mechanics, mathematics, and mechatronics. 

As a Schreyer Honors College student, Vreeland completed a thesis on a novel compliant joint for robotic prosthetic fingers.

Vreeland earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including Dean’s List every semester, the Penn State Provost Award, Edward M. Frymoyer Honors Scholarship, and Madden Honors Scholarship.

Vreeland completed research in the setup of linear stages for an immersion system in the Penn State Ultrasonics Lab, where his responsibilities included creating motion control software in LabView for three motorized linear motion stages, establishing a local network to interface with motion control units, and collaborating with a cross-functional team to diagnose errors in the system. He also completed research on a printed circuit board (PCB) adapter in the Penn State Neuromechanics Lab where he designed a small-scale PCB to adapt between a sensor array and signal amplifier circuit.

He was an active member in the RoboX Club, Engineering House Living Learning Community, the Penn State Forensic Science Club, and Theme Park Engineering Group Haunted House. He also competed in the RoboMaster North America National Competition in 2023-24.

As an automation intern with Sepro America, Vreeland developed a C++ program which converts G-Code to Inform II commands for a Yaskawa six-axis robot, modeled and manufactured an End of Arm Tool for a Yaskawa six-axis robot, established Modbus communication loop between a Cognex camera and a Universal Robotics six-axis robot, and investigated the feasibility of IO-Link integration with existing Sepro robot cabinets.

Upon graduation, Vreeland plans pursue a graduate degree in engineering science and mechanics at Penn State.

Sarah Catherine Mesler

Industrial Engineering

Sarah Catherine Mesler will receive a bachelor of science in industrial engineering.

A Schreyer Honors College student, Mesler earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the President Walker Award, President Sparks Award, Jane B. Slep Honors Scholarship, Schreyer Academic Excellence Scholarship, and IBM Thomas J. Watson Scholarship.

Mesler was an active member of Delta Gamma Sorority, Engineering Career Envoy, and Penn State THON. She participated in a semester-long study abroad program in Madrid,  studying engineering, economics, sustainable industrial and environmental design, and Spanish language.

As an undergraduate research assistant in Penn State’s BriteLab, Mesler completed research in enhancing surgical training with a novel central venous catheter insertion training device. Her responsibilities included validating computer vision-enabled machine learning for the Dynamic Haptic Robotic  Training System and analyzing data collected during training studies to validate the machine learning object detection algorithm.

Mesler worked as a consulting summer analyst with Accenture where she supported operational improvements for luxury goods distribution centers and national retail clients, validated and maintained engineered labor standards at high-volume luxury goods distribution centers, identified store stocking process inefficiencies in retail locations across the United States, and provided continuous improvement recommendations that generated million-dollar cost savings. She also worked as a supply chain intern with Archer Aviation, where she worked across all divisions of the supply chain to analyze supply chain operations to uncover root causes of inefficiencies and engineer improvements.

Upon graduation, Mesler will join Oliver Wyman as a consultant.

Nicholas Murgia

Mechanical Engineering

Nicholas Murgia will receive a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering.

As a Schreyer Honors College student, Murgia completed a thesis on compliant constant-force mechanisms for a compressive chest brace used to treat pectus carinatum.

Murgia earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, President Sparks Award, President Walker Award, Josephine J. Rhea Award for Excellence in Italian, Harold Marcus Dean's Chair in Engineering Scholarship, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency  Ready to Succeed Scholarship, Morrow End Engineering Scholarship, Louis Harding Memorial Scholarship, Schreyer International Study Scholarship, Brown Open Doors Scholarship, Mid Atlantic Food Trade Organization Scholarship, and Gerard Bayles Memorial Scholarship.

He was an active member of Tau Beta Pi honor society, the Penn State Italian Student Society, Schreyer Honors College SHO Time Orientation, and the Penn State Pullers Club.

As a transformation and operational excellence intern with Victaulic, Murgia identified and eliminated waste from manufacturing and business processes, facilitated a company-mandated lean awareness training for new hires, and co-led lean events to eliminate waste from processes. As a construction intern with Whiting-Turner, he performed onsite quality and safety checks, estimated the cost of a construction project, created a site logistics plan, and coordinated vendors and subcontractors during bidding.

Upon graduation, Murgia will join Whiting-Turner as a project engineer.

Ulises Gerardo Henríquez López

Nuclear Engineering

Ulises Gerardo Henríquez López will receive a bachelor of science in nuclear engineering with a minor in mathematics.

Henríquez López earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the President Walker Award, Bunton-Waller Fellowship, For the Future Trustee Scholarship, Edward H. and Deborah R. Klevans Scholarship in Nuclear Engineering, Exelon Corporation Endowed Scholarship in Nuclear Engineering, American Nuclear Society Junior and Senior Undergraduate Scholarships, National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering Scholarship, and Student Leader Scholarship.

Henríquez López was an active member of Alpha Nu Sigma, Academic Excellence Center, Multicultural Engineering Program Orientation, American Nuclear Society, Engineering Summer Bridge, and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, winning second place as part of the 2025 Academic Olympiad team. He also served as a mathematics and nuclear engineering grader.

As a reactor engineering intern with Constellation Energy, he planned a reactivity maneuver for Peach Bottom Unit 2, considering BWR thermal limits and fuel conditioning guidelines to ensure a successful transient of power and flow and created two visual dashboards for reactor engineers to access all relevant operational information. As a BWR core design and methods intern with Constellation Energy, he reduced the risk of pellet-clad interaction fuel failure by utilizing in-house and external software to perform various core design tasks and developed a Python code to display thermal limit and shutdown margin information for specific bundles in a full depletion cycle.

Upon graduation, Henríquez López will join Constellation Energy as a reactor engineer.

Connor Joseph Wysocki

ROTC

Connor Joseph Wysocki will receive a bachelor of science in industrial engineering.

Wysocki earned several awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the President Walker Award, President Sparks Award, Evan Pugh Scholar Award, the Reserve Organization of America ROTC Award, William and Wendy Korb Scholarship in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Wells Family Endowed Scholarship, Robert M. Troxell Endowed Scholarship in the College of Engineering, Warren L. Dedich Scholarship in Industrial Engineering, Endowment for the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (IME), Amos E. Neyhart Scholarship in Industrial Engineering, Leon I. Lock Endowment in Industrial Engineering, and William C. Westley Leadership Award in IME.

He competed in the EDSGN 100 Cornerstone Showcase, earning recognition for the most sustainable design.

Wysocki was an active member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and the Army ROTC Running Club.

As an engineering intern with Whiting-Turner, Wysocki wrote requests for information and quality assurance and quality control reports, performed surveys, and managed environmental health and safety. As an industrial engineering intern with Westinghouse Electric Company, his responsibilities included discrete event simulation, bill of material creation and management, procedure writing, and preventative maintenance schedules.

Upon graduation, Wysocki will join GapVax, Inc. as a manufacturing engineer and continue his military career with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.