Eleven alumni to receive College of Engineering's highest honor

March 8, 2023

By Mary Fetzer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Eleven Penn State engineering graduates have been selected to receive the College of Engineering’s Outstanding Engineering Alumni Awards. The ceremony will take place on March 13 at The Penn Stater. Jocelyn Hibbard, a first-year student intending to major in electrical engineering, will serve as the event’s emcee.  

Established in 1966, the Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award is the highest honor bestowed by the College of Engineering and recognizes graduates who have reached exceptional levels of professional achievement.

“Penn State engineering graduates continue to impact the world,” said Anthony Atchley, acting dean of the College of Engineering. “The remarkable professional achievements made by this year’s honorees will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Penn State engineers. It is truly a pleasure to recognize these deserving alumni with this prestigious honor.”

The 2023 Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award recipients are:

Brian Boyer, International Atomic Energy Agency section head for the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles. He earned a bachelor of science in nuclear engineering in 1980, a master’s degree in nuclear engineering in 1985 and a doctoral degree in nuclear engineering with a mechanical engineering minor in 1992.
Benjamin Cooper, board-certified radiation oncologist in the Department of Radiation Oncology at New York University’s Langone Health in New York City. He graduated cum laude from the Schreyer Honors College with a bachelor of science in bioengineering in 2007.
John “Jack” Diviney, senior engineering consultant at Gannett Fleming. He earned a bachelor of science in civil engineering in 1968 and a master’s of engineering in 1977 and is now chair of the Penn State Civil Engineering Alumni Society and a board member of the Penn State Engineering Alumni Society
Amy Ericson, senior vice president of Protective and Marine Coatings at PPG. She earned a bachelor of science in chemical engineering in 1987, is a Schreyer Honors College alumna, and is now a member of the Chemical Engineering Industrial and Professional Advisory Council.
Dan Grillo, vice president of engineering at LinkedIn. He earned a bachelor of science degree in computer science in 1992 and is now a member of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Industrial and Professional Advisory Council.
Amy Purdy Hirst, vice president of storage software development in IBM’s Systems Group. She earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering in 2000, is a Schreyer Honors College alumna, and now serves on the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Industrial and Professional Advisory Council.
Aravind Melligeri, chairman, chief executive officer and founder of Aequs. He earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1993.
Greg Tomb, president of Zoom. He earned a bachelor of architectural engineering in 1988.
Vijay Varadan, cofounder and chief innovation officer at Nanowear and distinguished professor emeritus of engineering science and mechanics at Penn State. He earned a master’s degree in engineering mechanics in 1969.
Matt White, executive vice president and chief financial officer for Linde plc. He earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering in 1994.
Brian Yutko, chief executive officer of Wisk Aero. He earned a bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering in 2008, and is a Schreyer Honors College alumnus.