Welcome to Engineering at Illinois!
As the academic year draws to a close, we want to take the opportunity to honor a number of outstanding students, faculty, advisors, and distinguished alumni. At the recent Student and Alumni Award Ceremony, we recognized high achieving students who have made the most of the opportunities available on our campus.
Daniel Borup, this year’s recipient of the Harvey H. Jordan Award (for the top student in the College of Engineering), epitomizes that type of student. Formerly an undergraduate research assistant with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average in engineering mechanics, Borup co-founded the start-up company, Higher Med, Inc. in 2011, placing second in the most fundable category at the 2012 Cozad New Venture Competition. Last January, he traveled to California with a group of like-minded students for the TEC Silicon Valley Workshop.
Daniel is the current president of Illini Pride Student Athletic Board and served on the student-led Assembly Hall Renovation Committee. A vocalist who performs with a variety of ensembles, Borup has presented the National Anthem at Illini basketball games and other athletic events and was a featured soloist for the Champaign Symphony Orchestra’s 2012 holiday concert. Hearing his talk at the awards ceremony, it is apparent that Daniel Borup understands what it means to work hard, to excel, and to lead.
At the same event, six outstanding and very successful alumni were honored with the Alumni Award for Distinguished Service. Reading their biographies and hearing their stories remind us what can be accomplished with an engineering education from Illinois. During the festivities, I had the chance to spend time with each of our honorees and I was so proud to hear every one of them mention a faculty or staff member who went out of their way to help or inspire them.
As we manage our daily tasks, we don’t always know how our students, colleagues, and alumni are affected. It often takes many years before the extent of our influence is known. But each year, as we recognize our outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni, we are reminded about the continuing legacy of excellence that results from the important work that we do. Congratulations to all of our honorees and to everyone who has contributed to their successes.
Sincerely,
Michael B. Bragg
Interim Dean
