FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

Tyler Bouslog
Agricultural Engineering
South English, Iowa

Tyler chose Iowa State engineering because it offered agricultural engineering and the university was “close to home.” He is looking forward to meeting new people and experiencing many new things. Tyler expects the E2020 Scholars Program will help him understand engineering as well as help him improve his problem-solving skills.

Tyler enjoys sports, being outdoors, farming, and playing video games. Upon graduation, he plans to work in the agriculture industry and possibly attend graduate school.

Conrad Brendel

Civil Engineering with Environmental Emphasis
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Conrad chose Iowa State engineering because of the quality of the program and he liked the area. He expects the E2020 Scholars Program “to make me a better engineer and a leader in my field by teaching me about the four pillars.” He is looking forward to meeting new people, exploring new places, and learning new things. Ultimately Conrad would like to get a master’s degree in explosive engineering.

He is a member of the Honors Program. Conrad enjoys snowboarding and downhill mountain biking. He is a Ski Patroller volunteer. In his spare time he likes to build air-powered cannons and rockets.

Adrian Gordon

Chemical Engineering
St. Croix, Christiansted, Virgin Islands

“I chose engineering at Iowa State because of the superb reputation and high quality education the college has to offer,” explained Adrian when asked about his choice in higher education. He plans to use the E2020 Scholars Program as a foundation to positively influence his peers, community, and ultimately, the world.

Adrian has participated in the the Nature’s Environmental Role Models (N.E.R.M.) Club and notes this has made him more aware of his environment  and molded him into a well-rounded student. He also enjoys playing a wide variety of sports. He plans to continue playing sports during his college career as well as taking part in community service projects.

He is looking forward to learning new and complex things and upon graduation plans to “make a name for myself not only as a great engineer, but as an influential leader.” Adrian notes a favorite quote is “Be yourself…no one is better qualified.”

Erin Hallisey

Mechanical Engineering
Durand, Illinois

Erin chose Iowa State engineering because of its well-known and highly ranked engineering program. “I feel that I will be very prepared for my future after being a part of their curriculum.” She is looking forward to meeting new people and expects to get to know engineering students and faculty more closely through

the E2020 Scholars Program. She also anticipates she’ll learn “learn how to be a well-rounded engineer that will make a difference in the world.”

Erin is an avid Boston Celtics and Red Sox fan. She is also a member of Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE). Upon graduation Erin hopes to be doing something she enjoys and that “will help someone in some way have a better life.”

Courtney Johnson

Chemical Engineering
Fulton, Missouri

Courtney is a fourth-generation Cyclone who chose Iowa State engineering because of its excellent program. Through the E2020 Scholars Program she hopes to learn how engineering “relates to all situations and everything.” She is looking forward to making new friends and experiencing new things. One day Courtney would like to work for an energy company.

Courtney is a member of Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) and enjoys running, traveling, and hanging out with friends.

Lisa Keierleber

Civil Engineering
Independence, Iowa

Lisa chose Iowa State engineering because of its strong program and it was in her home state. She is looking forward to making new friends and expects the E2020 Scholars Program to broaden her views on engineering.

Lisa is a member of Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE). She enjoys horseback riding, road trips, and spontaneous activities with friends.

Catherine Krezowski

Civil Engineering
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Catherine attended a SWE sleepover at Iowa State and attended an engineering class and other activities as part of the experience. This cemented her decision to attend Iowa State as an engineering student. “I loved the feel of the school as a whole, and particularly the engineering program,” she noted.

She looks forward to broadening her horizon and is especially interested in the leadership and global awareness aspects of the E2020 Scholars Program. “I want to be able to use these two concepts and apply them to global situations through engineering.”  To that end, Catherine would like to study abroad and complete an internship during her college career. After graduation she would like to join a program such as Engineers Without Borders or the Peace Corps or work for a global company.

Catherine enjoys reading, running, and hanging out with her friends. She also like to travel to exotic places. She is a member of the Honors Program and Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE).

Tyler Langel

Mechanical Engineering
New Vienna, Iowa

“I chose engineering at Iowa State because I knew that if I went to Iowa State, I would have some of the best teachers in one of the best programs in the country,” Tyler stated when asked why he chose Iowa State engineering. He expects the E2020 Scholars Program will help him become a well-rounded engineer who is able to “deal with the needs of the world of the future.”

Tyler’s long-term goal is to work globally. To that end he notes, “I plan on learning the languages and customs of many countries in the world so that way no matter where I go, I will be able to be a functioning member of the society and culture I am in.”

Tyler is a member of the Honors Program. He enjoys reading, making friends, and experiencing new things.

Rachel Lieser

Chemical Engineering
Elk River, Minnesota

“I chose engineering at Iowa State because of the great opportunities available to chemical engineering students, the engineering job fair, and the incredible atmosphere of the campus,” Rachel explained. She is looking forward to “building relationships and obtaining knowledge that will stay with me for the rest of my life.” Rachel expects the E2020 Scholars Program will help her learn how to best apply the skills she learns in class to solving major problems worldwide. She plans to someday do research on the biological side of chemical engineering.

Rachel is a member of Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE). She enjoys playing soccer, spending time with her family at a cabin, and reading a good book. “Promise me you’ll remember. You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” This quote from Winnie the Pooh reminds her that every problem has a solution, and she has the aptitude to solve it.

Christian Lopez

Aerospace Engineering
North Liberty, Iowa

“I know that ISU has a great engineering program and that I would get the best education possible at ISU,” stated Christian when asked why he chose Iowa State engineering. He is looking forward to making new friends, being pushed to do his best, and solving problems alongside his peers as part of the E2020 Scholars Program. Upon graduation, Christian would like to work for NASA “designing rockets to search the ends of space.”

Mark Mendick

Mechanical Engineering
Omaha, Nebraska

“I chose engineering at Iowa State because the program is one of the strongest and most reputable in the United States,” explained Mark. He is looking forward to becoming independent, participating in intramural sports, and meeting new people. Mark expects the E2020 Scholars Program will “help keep me on track with my studies, teach me the four pillars of the program, and teach me to ‘think like an engineer’ in everything I do. I also believe that the program will allow me to expand and apply my studies more fully my junior and senior year.”

As an entrepreneur who owns and operates his own landscape company, Mark plans to use his engineering degree to design and improve the tools of his trade.

Andrew Modjeski

Aerospace Engineering
Rochester, Minnesota

Andrew chose Iowa State not only for its outstanding reputation in both engineering academia and research, but also because “the beautiful campus makes you feel that you are no longer at home but that this new place will soon become your home.” He is looking forward to participating in activities and clubs such as Team PrISUm, FIRST robotics team, and intramural sports. Through the E2020 Scholars Program, Andrew hopes to be challenged and pushed into new places. He expects he will also gain a better perspective of the global environment and the effects, both good and bad, engineering can have on the world.

Upon graduation, Andrew plans to put his engineering skills to use in a sales or other marketing role.

Theresia Ohms

Mechanical Engineering
Lake Winnebago, Missouri

“I chose to attend Iowa State because of the reputation of the engineering program coupled with the fact that there is a Navy ROTC program at the University,” explained Theresia. “In the E2020 Scholars Program, I expect to gain knowledge and understanding of engineering by associating with others who want to be leaders in our community and profession.” Her long-term goal is to become a leader who positively impacts many people.

Theresia is a member of the Honors Program. She is an accomplished marksman and also enjoys running.

Alexander Peck

Computer Engineering
Montezuma, Iowa

Alex wanted to stay in Iowa for his college education and chose Iowa State because of its “good engineering program.” He expects to learn more about diversity in engineering as part of the E2020 Scholars Program. He is also looking forward to meeting new people and tackling challenging classes

One of Alex’s favorite quotes is “The greatest thing about being an American is that you get to make choices.” (Dennis Wilson) One day Alex plans to open his own business.

Erika Weimer

Chemical Engineering
Plymouth, Minnesota

Erika chose Iowa State to pursue her engineering degree because of its well-known, high-quality engineering programs. She also noted that Iowa State’s “friendly feel” made it a “perfect fit” for her. Erika expects the E2020 Scholars Program will open up opportunities to meet many engineering peers and take learning beyond the classroom. Erika plans to become a biomedical engineer upon graduation. “I would love to be able to travel as well and use my skills and abilities to help others in need,” she stated.

Erika is a member of Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) and the Honors Program. She plans to double minor in Biology and Spanish. She is a Synchronize Swimmer and a downhill skier. She also enjoys singing, boating, listening to music, and hanging out with friends.

Christopher Whitmore

Materials and Environmental Engineering
Maple Plain, Minnesota

The opportunities Iowa State engineering students have for internships, study abroad, and work study enticed Christopher to choose Iowa State for his college career. He plans to take advantage of these opportunities during his college career. “The reputation of the Materials Engineering Department was also a major factor,” he adds. Christopher expects to “discuss and engineer new solutions to future problems” as part of the E2020 Scholars Program.

Christopher has interned at American Engineering and Testing and is a member of the Honors Program.

He enjoys meeting new people, watching movies, and playing sports. He is looking forward to playing on intramural teams at Iowa State.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

Jonathan Bauer
Mechanical Engineering

James Boddie
Software Engineering

Nicole Cullen

Computer Engineering
Hudson, Iowa
Transferred from Luther College

Nicole knew she wanted to be an engineer while she was still in high school because, as she notes, of her “love for math and science classes.” She spent two years at Luther College before transferring to Iowa State “because of the great engineering programs.” Nicole enjoys meeting new people and is looking forward to connecting with others in the E2020 Scholars Program. Here she expects to gain a new understanding of what engineers are trying to accomplish. She also notes, “I would like to learn what people on the other side of the world are thinking compared to what we are thinking in the United States. I think it would be very helpful for an engineer to not just think about their own country but the whole world as well. “

Nicole enjoys playing sand volleyball, soccer, and spending time with friends and family.

Joseph Kopacz
Mechanical Engineering

Mark Maloney

Aerospace Engineering
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Transferred from Kirkwood Community College

“I chose to study engineering at Iowa State due to their hands on approach to the aerospace field and the transfer program they have set up with Kirkwood Community College,” Mark explained. “I expect to leave the E2020 Program with a better understanding of how I can apply my studies to solve problems in society. I expect the E2020 Program to give me the knowledge and experience I need to be a more innovative leader in not only engineering but whatever I set my mind to.”

Mark looks forward to meeting other students, applying his engineering skills to aircraft-related designs, and landing an internship. Mark is a private pilot and, upon graduation, plans to work in a hands-on testing and building environment for an innovative small aircraft company.

In addition to flying, Mark also enjoys snowboarding.

Sara Schelding
Industrial Engineering

Alex Stauffacher

Electrical Engineering
Burlington, Iowa
Transferred from Indian Hills Community College

After completing the robotics/automation program at Indian Hills Community College, Alex felt he could learn a lot more by attending a university that was known for its electrical engineering program. Thus, he chose Iowa State to continue his education. He is looking forward to meeting people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and learning from them. He expects the E2020 Scholars Program will help him learn how to use engineering skills to make the world most sustainable.

Alex Pettit

Chemical Engineering
Afton, Iowa
Transferred from Southwestern Community College

“Iowa State has a reputation as a great engineering school and it is close to home,” explained Alex when asked about his choice to attend Iowa State. He is looking forward to developing his leadership and engineering skills through the E2020 Scholars Program.

Alex enjoys making new friends and playing golf and basketball. He has worked with children to help them develop their baseball skills.