Department celebrates school year at end of year banquet
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Students, staff, faculty, alumni, and mentorscelebrated the 2024-2025 school year during the second annual Chemical Engineering End of the Year Banquet held April 28 in the UIC Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum.
“I think this year’s banquet is a great example of the supportive and friendly environment and community the department has built,” said junior and emcee Joshua Olusoji. “I feel that this banquet was about getting together with your family and friends for a fun evening filled with food and celebration. I think everyone in the room felt more at home and connected this year than they have in years prior.”
UIC Department of Chemical Engineering Department Head and Satish C. and Asha Saxena Professor Vikas Berry spoke about the department’s year for funding, research, grants, and awards.
“The chemical engineering department has always been super supportive of building a community and creating an environment where everyone gets along,” Olusoji said. “This year has been one of our best in terms of community. There’s been a lot of volunteer work and events this year where new and old faces alike have put in a lot of work to make the experience of our student body and staff as great as possible.”
Also, a UIC Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) board member, Olusoji introduced and thanked the faculty and staff, and talked about all that AIChE has done throughout the school year. PhD student Louie Edano talked about the growth of the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association (ChEGSA).
“The banquet was a great reminder of the community I built in the department, and I will miss them greatly,” said senior Monse Reynoso.
The ChE Department Action Team hosted this year’s event.
The student body also voted, and awards were given out based on the results.
Some of this year’s award winners include:
Kindest Professor: Betul Bilgin
Most Engaging Lecturer: Lewis Wedgewood
Most Inspiring Professional Journey: Michael Caracotsios
Funniest Professor: Sangil Kim
Best Reaction Catalyst Sophomore: Bryan Samayoa
Best Reaction Catalyst Junior: Khoa Nguyen
Best Reaction Catalyst Senior: Matthew Gaughan
Super Stylish ChemE Sophomore: Sophia Johnson
Super Stylish ChemE Junior: Hiba Naqvi and Anna Cai
Super Stylish ChemE Senior: Roberto Arzuaga
Most (Navier-)Stoked for Class Sophomore: Anthony Ortiz
Most (Navier-)Stoked for Class Junior: Kendall Johnson
Most (Navier-)Stoked for Class Senior: Monse Reynoso
Most Likely to Engineer a Bright Future Junior: Joshua Olusoji
Most Likely to Engineer a Bright Future Senior: Alina Iovu and Natalie Salas
Friendliest ChemE Sophomore: Servando Casillas Garabito, Trina Murrell, and Illiana Perez
Friendliest ChemE Junior: Jazmin Aca
Friendliest ChemE Senior: Muhammad Abdelqader
Most Dedicated ChemE Sophomore: Quan Huynh
Most Dedicated ChemE Junior: Qussay Sueleiman
Most Dedicated ChemE Senior: Varun Maheshwari
First Place ChemE Senior Design Showcase: Emissions to Fuel: Production of Methanol via Carbon Capture: Catalina Toro Gutierrez, Huyen Nguyen, Varun Maheshwari, and Xiaorun Lin
Second Place ChemE Senior Design Showcase: Reusable Diesel Produced from Waste Cooking Oil: Eleanor Schutzius, Alina Iovu, Italo Rojas, Tate Slaght, and Brian Chang
Third Place ChemE Senior Design Showcase: Lignocellulosic Bioethanol: Monica Huizar, Jonah Perlin, Jesus Roa-Vargas, and Carol Teran Huilca