Matuszkiewicz named chemical engineering student marshal
5/1/2020
By Jamie Oberdick
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Lauren Matuszkiewicz has been selected as the student marshal for the chemical engineering baccalaureate degree program for Penn State’s spring commencement, to be held virtually on May 9. Matuszkiewicz will receive a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering.
College of Engineering student marshals are selected for their outstanding academic achievement and contributions to engineering student life. Stephanie Velegol, associate teaching professor of chemical engineering, will be Matuszkiewicz’s faculty marshal, an honor chosen by the student because of Velegol’s mentorship and guidance.
Matuszkiewicz said she has a lot of personal pride in overcoming the academic challenges in a rigorous curriculum to realize a dream of becoming a chemical engineer.
“I always wanted to be a chemical engineer throughout my entire academic career,” Matuszkiewicz said. “There were some times that were very rough, as I am sure many engineering students can attest to. I think this major fits my skills and abilities the best and I am so proud of becoming a chemical engineer, especially from a school like Penn State.”
Matuszkiewicz’s academic honors include receiving the Klingler Chemical Engineering Scholarship and serving as community outreach chair in 2018-2019 for Omega Chi Epsilon, the American honor society for chemical engineering students.
“Lauren is an amazing student,” Velegol said. “She arrived in January of her sophomore year from Penn State Hazelton and was a student in my class. She is by far one of the strongest students in this graduating class. She also served as a grader for me and was so reliable and helpful, even checking the solutions to make sure they were accurate. I am so thrilled that she was chosen as the student marshal because it is so well deserved.”
Matuszkiewicz completed two internships, one as a process engineering intern with Merck & Company and the other as a nuclear chemistry intern with Talen Energy.
In addition to her internships, Matuszkiewicz worked on two undergraduate research projects. One was working on nanogels for gene therapy, where she tested and characterized the nanogels in the lab of Enrique Gomez, professor of chemical engineering. The other was research work in semi-conductive polymers for solar panels, synthesizing polymers in the lab of Dinesh Patel, assistant professor of chemistry and science at Penn State Hazleton.
Matuszkiewicz also was a student member of the American Solar and Energy Society and participated in BUILD Nights at the Bernard M. Gordon Learning Factory.
Matuszkiewicz is the daughter of Edwina and Jason Matuszkiewicz of Sheppton and is a 2016 graduate of Hazleton Senior High School.
Following graduation, Matuszkiewicz will work as a line supervisor at Lion’s Brewery in Wilkes-Barre.
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Lauren Matuszkiewicz. IMAGE: PROVIDED
