2024 Engineering & Applied Sciences Student Award Winners

Andrew Toussaint
Fruit of the Loom Outstanding Computer Science Graduate Student

Andrew holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the Ohio State University. He became interested in computer science from pursuing game development as a hobby and writing small programs to complete tasks for his current job at the Kentucky Division for Air Quality. After some independent studying, he entered the graduate CS program at Western Kentucky University in Fall 2023. His professional interests include developing software for administrative and educational purposes. For his thesis, he is working with Dr. Huanjing Wang to develop a machine learning model that can perform cognitive diagnosis on students based on test results.

Alexandria Lahman
Outstanding Senior in Architectural Science

Alex is an Architectural Science major from Nolensville, TN. She has a passion for creating architecture that benefits the health of the occupant, particularly through the use of biophilic design. While at WKU, she was able to complete an undergraduate research project on this topic with the support of a FUSE Grant and the Mahurin Honors College. She plans on pursuing her Master of Architecture after graduating from WKU, with the goal of becoming a licensed architect.

Carelynn Hartmann
Outstanding Senior in Civil Engineering

In her time on the Hill, Carelynn remained determined to grow academically, personally, and professionally as a first-generation college student. This led her to be an Ogden and SEAS Ambassador, , member of the Beacon Project, American Society of Civil Engineers member and President, two-time ASCE Distinguished Student award recipient, Gilman Scholarship recipient, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society member, Topper Orientation Program guide, Concrete Canoe team captain, and best of all, a soon-to-be Hilltopper alum. Throughout each of these endeavors, she remembers the people around her who have encouraged and loved her. She will always cherish WKU deeply for the warmth of the community, the profound connections with people who’ve become family, and the transformative opportunities bestowed upon her.

Macey Small
Outstanding Senior in Computer information Technology

Macey is a senior majoring in CIT with a certificate in Game Design. From her education at WKU, she had the opportunity to apply her knowledge within the WKU ITS Systems Administration team as a student worker, at Sony Music Publishing as a Business Intelligence Intern, and more recently as an IT Specialist at The Mint Gaming Hall. After graduation, she hopes to get a job as a software programmer or as a database administrator. When she isn’t working or studying, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends who continue to support her.

Cooper Terry
Outstanding Senior in Construction Management

Cooper is a Kentucky native from the small town of Leitchfield. He spent his childhood hunting, fishing, and spending quality time with his friends and family. In recent years, Cooper has realized his passion for travel and seized his opportunity to attend a semester abroad at the University of Lincoln in England. Still, he always finds his way back home to spend as much time as possible with his niece and five nephews. Upon graduating Summa Cum Laude from WKU, Cooper will begin his full-time position with Earl Swensson Associates in Nashville, Tennessee. There, he will have the opportunity to travel and contribute to innovative architectural designs throughout the nation.

Bryan Welles
Outstanding Senior in Engineering Technology Management

Bryan is a nontraditional student with an Associate’s in Applied Science, received 18 years ago from Somerset Community College in Computerized Manufacturing and Machining. After a successful career in industry as a project engineer, three years ago he made a career change and is currently a full-time instructor at Somerset Community College teaching the very same program that he graduated from. Last year, he enrolled in the Engineering Technology Management program. WKU has been a great experience for Bryan, providing valuable knowledge and showing different teaching styles and ideas that he can utilize moving forward with his students at SCC.

Daniela A. Velazquez
Outstanding Senior in Manufacturing Engineering Technology

Daniela Velazquez is a senior pursuing a major in Manufacturing Engineering Technology with a minor in Business Administration. As a first-generation college student, Daniela completed an internship at the WKU XR Research Lab developing and integrating industrial technology into virtual reality systems. Her capstone research project focused on creating and designing an advanced automation system with robotic and vision systems. After graduation, her goal is to pursue a role in the manufacturing industry as an industrial engineer. She would like to thank her family and the faculty of MET for their support over the past four years.

Carter Williams
Fruit of the Loom Outstanding Computer Science Undergraduate

Carter is a Computer Science major with a Mathematics minor. He has spent the past three semesters working as a full stack software developer at Elco Dev. He is a dedicated student inside and outside of the classroom and enjoys learning about operating systems, computer architecture, and systems programming. After graduation, Carter plans to pursue a career in embedded systems.

Jaxom Kitchen
John Russell Award in Electrical Engineering

Jaxom is a nontraditional student who has returned to college in pursuit of an engineering degree to follow his dream of working in robotics. To that end, he has been involved in several robotics-related projects in the classroom and labs on campus where he has learned many skills across disciplines that will serve him in his future research and career.

Roston Young
John Russell Award in Mechanical Engineering

Roston Young is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at WKU. He is from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky where he lives with his parents, Eric and Leigh Ann, and younger sister, Rylie. He chose WKU because Western felt like home, and the engineering professors are there to help you succeed. While at WKU, he became involved on campus as the Treasurer of both Tau Beta Pi and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). When he is not on campus or studying, he can be found joking with friends, spending time with family, or eating at Western’s divine Panda Express.

Nathaniel Burris
John Russell Award in Mechanical Engineering

Nathaniel Burris is a senior studying Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Systems Engineering. He currently works as a Student Researcher at the Center for Energy Systems at WKU. He has been involved in ASME and Tau Beta Pi and took on the leadership roles of Vice President and Corresponding Secretary, respectively. During his time at WKU, he played tuba in the Symphonic Band. He also had the opportunity to work on a wind tunnel research project and present the findings at the ASEE conference.

Caleb Middleton
Cody Mahan Award for Academic Excellence in Electrical Engineering

Caleb is a senior electrical engineering student at WKU. He currently does research with the Center for Energy Systems at WKU and is also heavily involved with the WKU Department of Music as part of his curriculum. After graduation, he plans to further his engineering education by pursuing a graduate degree.

Caitlin Kirton
Evan McCasland Award in Mechanical Engineering

Caitlin Kirton is a senior graduating in May with her degree in Mechanical Engineering and is the current President and former Treasurer of WKU ASME. She is originally from Mississippi and later moved to Kentucky, graduating from Campbell County High School. Caitlin is currently completing her senior project, which is the ASME Robot Mini-Golf Student Design Competition. She completed two summer internships at Novolex, which helped prepare her for her upcoming role at Georgia Power in Atlanta as a Distribution Engineer. Caitlin would like to thank her professors for their guidance, as well as her mother and her fiancé, Will.