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May 11, 2006 Vol. 77, no. 13S
Bechtel
Achievement Award
John Torous, EECS |
Bechtel
Engineering Scholarship
John McLaughlin, CEE
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| HIGHEST COLLEGE HONORS:
John McLaughlin (left) and John Torous. The Bechtel Achievement
Award is given to a senior with outstanding scholastic achievement
and service to the College, campus and community. The Bechtel
Engineering Scholarship is awarded to a junior or sophomore for
scholastic performance, student leadership and potential for
success in an engineering career. |
It was EECS senior John
Torous who
brought HOPE to Berkeley: Hands-On Practical Electronics. The
DeCal class introduces the mysteries of electrical engineering
(EE) to others through fun projects. The class became so successful
that Torous and other engineers taught it to local high school
students. Then Stanford students called, even students from abroad,
wanting to teach it to their community. Torous graciously obliged
in an effort to get others excited about EE.
Torous’s passion for EECS manifests itself far beyond academic
excellence. Last year, the LA native wrote a first-ever history
of the Berkeley EE department. For two years now he’s been
involved in brain imaging research. In fact, the circuitry of the
body has him so fascinated that medical school is next. “I’ve
learned at Berkeley that you can’t work alone,” he
says, reflecting. “It’s all about teamwork.” For
Torous, connections matter most.
CEE junior John McLaughlin’s friends call
him an overachiever. True, McLaughlin’s current GPA is
3.95, and true, he’s involved in not one but two research
projects. In one, McLaughlin helped study the air quality of
the Caldecott Tunnel and was designated lead author on a paper
his team will soon submit to Environmental Science & Technology.
But McLaughlin knows the term overachiever is misleading. “I’ve
learned how to be busy but also how to relax and have fun,” he
says. And the most fun? Ultimate Frisbee, where he’s a member
of Cal’s first-string team.
Department
Citation Winners
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| CITED:
From left, Eric Lew, Timothy Lee, David Xu, Michael Nip, Asmita
Karandikar, Inez Koe, Jason Lee and Matthew Balun. These students
have been recognized by their respective departments for distinguished
excellence in their work. RACHEL SHAFER PHOTO |
Timothy Lee, BioE
Hometown: Stockton
GPA: 3.71
Best Berkeley moment: “When I became
a Christian during my junior year.” Plans after graduation: Spend
the summer in Taiwan, then pursue graduate studies in bioengineering
at Stanford.
Words of wisdom: Five years was too long.
Inez Koe, CEE
Hometown: Makassar, Indonesia
GPA: 3.92
Best Berkeley moment: “When
I’m with my friends, everything just becomes exciting.” Plans
after graduation: Pursue CEE graduate studies at Cal.
Words of
wisdom: Build up on firm foundation.
Jason Lin, EECS
Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
GPA: 3.99
Best Berkeley moment: “First
day of class, freshman year.” Plans after graduation: Attend
graduate school at Stanford in electrical engineering.
Words of
wisdom: Wake up, and start dreaming!
Michael Nip, Eng. Sci.
Hometown: Redondo Beach
GPA: 3.76
Best Berkeley moment: “Constructing a seismograph out of rubber
bands, popsicle sticks and PVC piping.” Plans after graduation:
Take a year to work/travel, then to grad school in physics.
Words
of wisdom: When in doubt, consult Wikipedia.
Asmita Karandikar, IEOR
Hometown: Concord
GPA: 3.959
Best Berkeley moment: “All the fun
times that I’ve spent with my closest friends.” Plans after
graduation: Deciding between grad school and work. (“I still
have a year to go!”)
Words of wisdom: Don’t lose yourself.
Eric Lew, ME
Hometown: Walnut Creek
GPA: 3.975
Best Berkeley moment: “One
of my favorites is running to the top of the fire trail for the first
time. When I reached the top, suddenly a breathtaking view of the Berkeley
hills and the bay came into view. It was amazing!” Plans after
graduation: Pursue a Ph.D. at Stanford in biomechanics.
Words of wisdom: Laughter, honesty, respect and thankfulness.
David Xu, MSE
Hometown: Fremont
GPA: 3.98
Best Berkeley moment: “Meeting my
girl, Luling Sun.” Plans after graduation: Earn a Ph.D. from
Cal’s MSE department and perhaps change the world . . .
Words
of wisdom: Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Matthew Balun, NE
Hometown: Pacific Grove
GPA: 3.84
Best Berkeley moment: “Every
moment of Professor Gronsky’s E 45 class.” Plans after
graduation: Attend law school at either UCLA or UC Hastings.
Words
of wisdom: Just roll with the punches.
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