Purdue ME Student Awards

Recognizing student excellence at every level

The School of Mechanical Engineering is pleased to announce the following awards, given to deserving sophomore, junior, and senior undergraduate students.  These students have demonstrated academic excellence, exemplified personal integrity, and exercised involvement in the community of Purdue University. The School of Mechanical Engineering will have a selection committee composed of faculty and staff. Selections will be based on the criteria listed under each award below.

These include:

Nominations are now closed. Thanks for your submissions!

The John M. Starkey Prize in Mechanical Engineering

The John M. Starkey Prize in Mechanical Engineering celebrates the top all-around graduating ME senior every year, as exemplified by the school’s core values of Character and Personal Integrity, Academic Excellence, and Community Engagement and Leadership. The award comes with a cash prize of $3,000. The other two finalists will recieve $1,875. Must meet the following criteria:

  • Outstanding contribution to the School of Mechanical Engineering
  • Demonstrated leadership and involvement
  • Record of academic excellence

The John M. Starkey Prize in Mechanical Engineering is named after John Starkey, who served as a professor in Mechanical Engineering from 1982 to 2017.  He served as faculty advisor for Purdue's SAE auto racing teams, and also director of the ME463 senior design capstone class, where he oversaw the final Purdue experience for hundreds of students.

Previous winners

  • 2025: Joseph Bellofatto
  • 2024: Emma Balevic
  • 2023: Adia Raya
  • 2022: Jennifer Ascher
  • 2021: Tanmay Das
  • 2020: Emily Nadler
  • 2019: Kaan Ardic

Frederick Morse Award for Outstanding Juniors

Presented to a student in junior level curriculum (they must have taken ME 308, ME 365, and ME 323); based on dedication to the School of Mechanical Engineering, in recognition of leadership within the community and department; examples of leadership include: club involvement, mentoring program, co-op/internship opportunities, etc. The award comes with a cash prize of $2,000. The other two finalists will recieve $1,250. Must meet the following criteria:

  • Outstanding contribution to the School of Mechanical Engineering
  • Demonstrated leadership and involvement
  • Record of academic excellence

The Outstanding Junior Award is named after Frederick Morse, who served as a professor in Mechanical Engineering from 1947 to 1985.  He is best known for creating Purdue's first cooperative education (co-op) program in 1954, and in the decades since, guiding hundreds of students through their first work experiences.

Previous winners

  • 2025: Tanmaee Ledalla
  • 2024: Maitri Pandya
  • 2023: Jessica Howell
  • 2022: Jack Walsh
  • 2021: Marcus Lannie
  • 2020: Abby Grillo

George Elwood Rhoads Award for Outstanding Sophomores

Presented to a student in sophomore level curriculum (they must have taken ME 200, ME 270, and ME 290); based on dedication to the School of Mechanical Engineering, in recognition of leadership within the community and department.  The award comes with a cash prize of $1,000. The other two finalists will recieve $625.  Must meet the following criteria:

  • Outstanding contribution to the School of Mechanical Engineering
  • Demonstrated leadership and involvement
  • Record of academic excellence

The Outstanding Sophomore Award is named after George Elwood Rhoads, who graduated from Purdue Mechanical Engineering in 1900; the funds were provided by his son, Albert B. Rhoads (BSME 1933).

Previous winners

  • 2025: Jacob Retek
  • 2024: Greta Schantz
  • 2023: Mackenzie Misterka
  • 2022: Sajon Seaberg
  • 2021: Meredith Meyer
  • 2020: Jordan Harris

Core Values Awards

We also give awards for students who best reflect our Purdue ME Core Values. Each award comes with a cash prize of $200.

  1. Persistently pursue excellence: ME faculty, staff and students are forward-thinking, determined, rigorous, and driven.  We go above and beyond the regular call of duty and exhibit excellence in all that we do.  We continuously improve and strive for innovation in our research, educational and professional endeavors, and our outcomes are second to none. 
  2. Act with integrity and compassion: ME faculty, staff and students are ethical, honest, and kind above all else.  We do things the right way without compromise.  We are reliable and true, and we do what we say while reflecting the highest standards.
  3. Collaborate within and outside Mechanical Engineering: ME faculty, staff and students actively listen, communicate, and work together. We are eager to break down institutional silos.  We create and value relationships that change the world for the better.
  4. Foster a community that is open-minded and supportive of all: ME faculty, staff and students are empathetic, positive, encouraging, and treat others well.  We respect ALL voices and firmly acknowledge that everyone’s contributions matter.  We value all perspectives, and strongly support people from all backgrounds.
  5. Provide service to all: ME faculty, staff and students use our skills, expertise and experiences to make a difference and foster change locally, regionally, and globally. We strive to do this with consideration and impact.  We help those around us to achieve their goals and those in need without expecting something in return.  We uphold the land grant mission of our university.

Interested in funding a Purdue ME Student Award?

Do you want to fund future awards to recognize the best and brightest Purdue Mechanical Engineering students? Contact Jeff Anderson at jsanderson@purdueforlife.org, or donate online today (and specify Student Awards!)