For the second time in three years, some of Clemson University’s top students in electrical and computer engineering are bringing home an award that recognizes a range of activities, including their efforts to connect students with industry leaders.
IEEE-HKN has honored its Clemson chapter, Zeta Iota, with an Outstanding Chapter Award. Zeta Iota previously won the same award in 2023.
The chapter’s activities include organizing career fairs, including one sponsored by Cadence Design Systems. They also work with industry representatives from the likes of Michelin, Nvidia and GE Vernova to give “tech talks” to students.
Service is one of the chapter’s main pillars. Members volunteer to tutor fellow students, and they visit K-12 schools about once a semester to introduce STEM concepts to the next generation.
Kristen Guernsey, a senior who serves this year as the Clemson chapter president, said it felt great to win the award.
“I know our officers put in a lot of effort throughout the year to do a lot of different things,” she said. “Our members, too, take time out to show up for these events and form a community.”
Andrew O’Rourke, a senior who serves as the chapter vice president, said he was proud to bring back the award to department leadership, including the chair, Hai Xiao, and the chapter’s faculty advisors, Hassan Raza and Apoorva Kapadia.
“It’s good to feel like we’re giving back to them and representing our school well,” O’Rourke said.
Membership in the chapter is reserved for the top 20% of sophomores, 25% of juniors and 33% of seniors in the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Most of the chapter’s events are open to all in the department.
Of the 276 chapters around the world, 22 received Outstanding Chapter Awards. This year’s crop of awards recognized work done in the 2023-24 academic year.
“Chapters are selected based on their activities, community service and outreach, and the impact they have had on the department, the university, and the community,” according to a press release announcing this year’s awards. “Of vital concern to the Outstanding Chapter Awards evaluation committee are activities that advance professional development; raise instructional and institutional standards; encourage scholarship and creativity; provide a public service, and generally further the established goals of IEEE-HKN.”
A ceremony to present award plaques was held on March 23 as part of the 2025 Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Head Association Annual Conference.
