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. Credit: Penn State
Twelve alumni recognized with College of Engineering’s highest honor
March 18, 2024
By Sarah Small
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Twelve Penn State engineering graduates have been selected to receive the Penn State College of Engineering’s Outstanding Engineering Alumni (OEA) Award. The ceremony will take place today (March 18) at the Engineering Design and Innovation Building. Kiara Nichelle Cornell, a third-year student majoring in aerospace 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.
“Each of our OEAs has contributed meaningfully to society through innovations and excellence in their respective fields,” said Tonya L. Peeples, the Harold and Inge Marcus Dean of Engineering. “Their accomplishments have the immediate effect of propelling forward areas such as manufacturing and aviation, computing and law, environmental sustainability and health care, to name a few. But beyond the immediate, they have an enduring impact as they influence the next generation of Penn State engineers, through their mentorship, professional engagement, service to your communities and by the examples they set.”
The 2024 Outstanding Engineering Alumni Award recipients are:
- Bob Chylak, chief technology officer and senior vice president of central engineering for Kulicke and Soffa Industries. He graduated from Penn State with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering in 1980.
- Robert C. Doeffinger, principal/chair for ZMM Inc. Architects and Engineers. He earned a master of science in architectural engineering in 1976 from Penn State and is a member of the Penn State Department of Architectural Engineering’s Industrial and Professional Advisory Council (IPAC).
- Walter M. Everetts, former vice president of Space and Ground Services at Iridium LLC. He hold a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering from Penn State and serves on the Penn State Department of Aerospace Engineering IPAC.
- Donald F. Heaney, president and chief executive officer of Advanced Powder Products Inc. A Schreyer Honors College graduate, he holds a bachelor of science and master of science in engineering science and a doctoral degree in materials science and engineering, all from Penn State. He serves on the Penn State Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics IPAC.
- Rachel Heidenreich, former vice president of quality and continuous improvement for Rockwell Automation. She holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Penn State and serves on the IPAC for both the College of Engineering and the mechanical engineering department.
- Arian Hushyar Van de Carr, vice president of product management-data cloud at Salesforce.com. She earned a bachelor of science in computer science and minor in statistics from Penn State.
- Casey A. Moore, executive vice president and regional director of transportation at Bowman Consulting Group. He earned a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Penn State and served on the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering IPAC.
- Minwoo Park, vice president at Nvidia. He earned a master of science in electrical engineering and a doctoral degree in computer science and engineering from Penn State.
- Todd R. Reppert, former vice president of ExxonMobil. He graduated from Penn State with highest honors with a bachelor of science in chemical engineering and has served on the Department of Chemical Engineering IPAC.
- Rachel N. Slaybaugh, partner at DCVC. She holds a bachelor of science in nuclear engineering from Penn State.
- William E. Waltz, president and chief executive officer of Atkore Inc. He earned a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from Penn State.
- Xiaolong “Tom” Zhang, chief scientist at Worldwide Clinical Trials. He holds a doctoral degree in bioengineering from Penn State and serves on the Department of Biomedical Engineering IPAC.
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