K-State chemical engineering students earn honors at American Institute of Chemical Engineers competition

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Source: Walter Walawender, 785-532-4318, walawen@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Friday, December 1, 2006

K-STATE CHEMICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS EARN HONORS AT AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS COMPETITION

MANHATTAN -- It was an award-winning time for Kansas State University chemical engineering students at the annual meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Nov. 12-17, in San Francisco.

At the meeting, K-State's student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering earned its 12th consecutive Outstanding Chapter Award.

In addition, K-State's entry in the institute's 2006 Chem-E-Car competition placed fifth, earning the university its fourth top 10 finish in the competition in the last five years. More than 30 universities from around the country participated in the competition, where teams must come up with creative ways to run their shoebox-size cars. This year, the cars had to transport 10 milliliters of water 75 feet. The competition is a way for students to learn about chemical reactions that can move vehicles and the development of new fuel technologies.

Two K-State students earned individual honors at the meeting.

Jon King, senior in chemical engineering, Manhattan, was one of 15 recipients of the Othmer National Scholarship from the American Institute for Chemical Engineers. King also was a member of the Chem-E-Car team and co-presented a workshop on the organization of the K-State team and the involvement of the team's underclassmen.

"Jon is K-State's 13th recipient of this prestigious scholarship in the last 14 years," said Walter Walawender, professor of chemical engineering and faculty adviser to the student chapter of the organization. "It also was the sixth consecutive year members of the K-State student chapter presented a workshop at the meeting."

Levi Houk, senior in chemical engineering, Wichita, won first-place honors for his poster in the reactions and catalysis division at the meeting. Houk also was a member of the K-State Chem-E-Car team.

Along with King and Houk, K-State chemical engineering students attending the meeting and/or who were members of the Chem-E-Car team included:

Ben Gurtler, senior, Beattie, attended the meeting; Katy Crabaugh, senior, Kansas City, Kan., and president of the K-State student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, attended the meeting; Katie Kennedy, senior, Manhattan, attended the meeting; Nelson Green, senior, Paola, was a member of the Chem-E-Car team and attended the meeting; Deb Hemphill, senior, Pratt, attended the meeting; Nathan Fritz, senior, Salina, was a member of the Chem-E-Car team, attended the meeting and co-presented a workshop about the team; and Lance Williamson, junior, Valley Center, was a member of the Chem-E-Car team and attended the meeting.

From out-of-state: Tanner Richards, senior, Greeley, Colo., attended the meeting.