MEM students are eligible for a number of awards each spring. These awards, which are presented at the annual Senior Banquet, provide financial assistance and scholarships for funding a student's education. The awards, eligibility, and selection criteria are detailed below.
MEM Awards
The MEM awards consist of typically five awards that are given to two juniors and three seniors of high scholastic achievement in the MEM major. Awards are given in the following categories:
- MEM Perseverance Award - awarded to a student with high academic achievement who has overcome many obstacles or shown other perseverance.
- MEM Future Leader Award - awarded to a student who has shown great leadership capacity and has high academic achievement.
- MEM Engagement Award - awarded to a student who has shown great commitment to the MEM major, volunteering and participating in many ways throughout the major.
- MEM Academic Achievement Award - awarded to a student with a high academic achievement.
- MEM Top Scholar - awarded to the MEM graduating senior with the highest GPA.
The Donald Hempel Memorial Fund Award
The Donald Hempel Memorial Fund Award is awarded to one or two students enrolled full time in the MEM major, who is academically outstanding, and who has a demonstrated financial need according to the financial aid office.
The OPIM Award
The OPIM Award is given by the School of Business to MEM major students, usually four, who have demonstrated academic achievement overall and in their OPIM and business courses.
The Vidya and Suresh Nair OPIM Undergraduate Scholarship Award
The Vidya and Suresh Nair OPIM Undergraduate Scholarship Award is given to sophomore or junior MEM students, who have demonstrated academic excellence, have participated in any variety of extra-curricular activities, including but not limited to the Manufacturing Club, leadership in university approved student clubs and volunteer activities.
Sarala and Raju (LS) Thakur MEM Scholarship
This scholarship has been established by Professor Emeritus Suresh Nair, former OPIM Department Head, in honor of Raju Thakur, a beloved educator and former MEM Co-Director. Raju’s dedication to his students and his tireless contributions to the MEM program have left a lasting legacy. With this fund, we ensure that Raju's impact will continue to empower future MEM students in their academic journeys and career aspirations. The criteria used to award this scholarship are below:
- Be an incoming or continuing undergraduate student enrolled in the School of Business
- Demonstrate academic achievement
- Be majoring in Management & Engineering for Manufacturing (MEM)
Top Dog Award
The MEM Top Dog is a prestigious award presented each year to a graduating senior or a junior at the Senior Banquet. The award recipient is selected jointly by the Manufacturing Club Executive Board, MEM Co-Directors, and staff.
Criteria
- A graduating senior, or junior, of high academic scholarship
- A student who freely assists other MEM students in achieving academic success
- A student who consistently volunteers to serve at Open House and other outreach events
- A student who treats professors and staff with respect
- A student who mentors those who aspire to be MEM students
- An individual who possesses impeccable character and a positive upbeat demeanor that all can aspire to emulate
Past Recipients
- Anna Lidsky (2024)
- Archana Velauthapillai (2023)
- John Henry Breen (2022)
- Logan Miller (2021)
- Melissa Auman (2019)
- Kristian Schif (2018)
- Scott Washburn (2017)
- William Oldach (2016)
- Aaron Hagewood (2015)