News

Two students in the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science, Michael Smith and Colleen Jenkins, received awards at the President's Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, May 30, 2006.

Michael Smith, a junior in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, received the President's Award for Outstanding University Service. This award is given annually to students for their commitment to volunteer activities in an effort to enhance the student experience at Portland State University. Michael was chosen because of his proven ability to be an active member of the community through his founding of the student organization Advocates for Responsible Solutions, which urges individuals to assume more sustainable practices. He has also played a major role in bringing the Portland State chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers to new heights.

Colleen Jenkins, a senior in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, received the President's Award for Outstanding Community Engagement. This award is given annually to recognize students who have engaged in an ongoing community service effort off campus in an effort to make unique and significant contributions to community-based learning. As chapter president, Colleen organized a multi-disciplinary team of engineering students to form a local student organization, Engineers Without Borders. The group was established as an opportunity for students to work on engineering projects that serve disadvantaged communities, domestically or abroad. This year, nineteen students volunteered on three successful projects in Nicaragua for credit toward their degree.