The Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M University honored seven students with its Craig C. Brown Outstanding Senior Engineering Award during a banquet Oct. 1 at the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M campus.
Seniors Tyler Buffington, J. Hunter Drozd, Tyler A. Romero, Peter Rozanski, Kevin von Storch, Katie Walker and Connie Xavier received the annual award because of their academic achievement, character and leadership abilities.
Tyler Buffington, a senior mechanical engineering major, is from Keller, Texas, and he is constantly looking for ways that engineering solutions can improve the lives of others. He has participated in Engineers Without Borders and has founded Engineers Serving the Community. This service organization has pursued several projects to promote engineering in the local community teaching children about engineers as inventors, providing musical instruments in public parks and repairing equipment at a local food bank at no cost. Buffington is a member of both the Engineering Scholars Program and the University Honors Program. He conducted undergraduate research with the PHATE Research Group and has worked with Dow Chemical and Prime Controls. Tyler plans to pursue an advanced degree with a focus on clean energy.
J. Hunter Drozd is a senior petroleum engineering major from Midland, Texas. Under the guidance of beloved mentors, Drozd has embraced the philosophy that achievement provides the opportunity to influence and serve others with integrity and humility. To that end, Hunter has been an active member of campus organizations such as the American Association of Drilling Engineers and the Society of Petroleum Engineers and worked for corporations such as BP Exploration Alaska, Inc., EOG Resources, Inc. and RSP Permian, Inc. He has been awarded numerous scholarships and academic honors, including membership in Pi Epsilon Tau Petroleum Engineering Honor Society and selection as only one of eight Star Scholars in the United States by the Society of Petroleum Engineers International.
Tyler A. Romero is a senior computer science and engineering major from Chesterfield, Missouri. Although Romero arrived at Texas A&M focused solely on academic excellence, his experience over the last three years has taught him the value of meeting new people and encouraging others to succeed. He has served as an active member and recruiter for various service organizations and programs including the Big Event, Fish Camp and Leaders in Freshmen Engineering. Tyler is also co-founder of Freshmen Reaching Excellence in Engineering, an organization that helps incoming engineering students to find their passion. He has completed summer internships with the Microsoft Corporation, Bloomberg L.P. and Washington University in St. Louis. Romero has also been the recipient of several scholarships and awards for academic merit and leadership.
Peter Rozanski is a senior civil engineering major from San Antonio. Roznaski’s college experiences have shaped him into a well-rounded young man who has developed skills across a wide range of fields. He completed internships with engineering firms, investment fund organizations and government agencies. Rozanski has received awards for academic excellence as well as community service and student involvement. He has volunteered for numerous charitable and community outreach organizations and has served in a variety of on-campus organizations such as MSC Bethancourt, Titans of Investing and the Aggie Muster Committee. He credits his engineering education with providing him foundational skills of problem-solving and methodical thinking, which he has applied to his various extracurricular activities.
Kevin von Storch is a senior civil engineering major from Colleyville, Texas. Von Storch gained valuable insight on the importance of developing leadership skills while completing an engineering internship before his junior year. In order to gain the skills to be not only a competent engineer but also an effective leader, he has actively pursued a variety of opportunities such as the Mays Business Fellows Program, the Texas A&M Foundation Maroon Coats, and the EY Emerging Leaders Summit. Notably, participation in the Mays Business Fellows Program is traditionally reserved for business students, but von Storch requested special permission to apply and was accepted as an engineering student. He has received numerous scholarships and awards for academic performance and leadership and has interned with Kimley-Horn & Associates and U.S. P&E Global.
Katie Walker is a senior mechanical engineering major from Cedar Park, Texas. Texas A&M’s core values are the foundation of Walker’s commitment to teamwork and servant leadership. She has participated in numerous community service activities, including several associated with her membership in the Society of Women Engineers. Walker has been the recipient of a variety of academic awards and honor designations. She has completed internships with Albemarle, Eastman and BP. She was also selected to participate in the Summer 2013 BP Women in Energy Leadership Program in Chicago. Katie believes being a leader doesn’t necessarily require an official title. Instead, she says a leader can emerge by earning the respect of the team and valuing each member.
Connie Xavier is a senior civil engineering major from Arlington, Texas. Xavier’s passion to serve others has driven her to seek out leadership positions in both her academic career and personal life. She has been an active member of the Society of Women Engineers and the Student Engineers’ Council, served overseas as an ESL tutor and volunteered for numerous charitable organizations. Xavier has been awarded several scholarships and membership into honor societies Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society and both the Engineering Scholars Program and University Honors Program. She has gained engineering experience by working with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and Kimley-Horn & Associates. Her goal as an engineer is to be open to alternative solutions and make a long-term impact on society.
The Craig C. Brown Outstanding Senior Engineering Award is the most prestigious honor bestowed upon a graduating senior in the Look College. The award is based on outstanding scholastic achievement, leadership and character.
The award was first presented in 1947 as the Engineering Faculty Senior Award. In 1996, the award was renamed to recognize Craig C. Brown for his vision to expand and enhance the program through a permanent endowment. This year’s recipients received a $5,000 education grant and an award. Their names will be added to the program’s recognition plaque.
Brown is a 1975 civil engineering graduate and past recipient of the Engineering Faculty Senior Award. He also received a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M and is the president, owner and chief operating officer of Bray International Inc.