Undergraduate Awards Environmental Engineering
Thomas M. Keinath Environmental Engineering Award
Presented to one senior and one junior majoring in environmental engineering based on outstanding achievements and possessing personal attributes necessary for successful accomplishments in this discipline. The award is given in honor of Dr. Thomas M. Keinath who served as a faculty member, department chair, and the Dean of College of Engineering and Science during his 3-year career at Clemson University. Recipients: Kaitlyn Kaulback, Gretchen Highberger, Kiersten Miller
Water Environmental Association of South Carolina Undergraduate Student Scholarship
This relatively new award was made possible by a generous donation from the Water Environment Association of SC. The award recognizes an outstanding undergraduate student majoring in Environmental Engineering who is likely to work in the water or wastewater field upon graduation. Recipient: Timothy Ziegler
Environmental Engineering “Spirit” Award
Presented to a senior in environmental engineering who exhibits an exceptional level of dedication to the undergraduate degree and the profession. Recipient: Olivia Mucci
Undergraduate Awards for Geology
The Thomas F. Logan, Jr. Geology Merit Award
Presented to a senior majoring in geology with outstanding achievement in geology and possessing personal attributes necessary for successful accomplishments in this discipline. The award is given in memory of Thomas F. Logan, Jr., a 1965 graduate of Clemson University. He was killed in an automobile accident just prior to receiving his PhD from the University of Georgia, and he would have been the first PhD graduate in geology from that institution. Recipient: Joseph Dixon
The Jean G. Stillwell Award
This award is given to an outstanding junior student majoring in geology. The award was established in memory of Jean G. Stillwell, who graduated from Clemson in geology in 1982, then taught as a Lecturer in Geology until her death from cancer in 1993. The award comes with a genuine rock hammer and safety goggles. Recipient: Sammy Baumann
Geology “Spirit” Award
Presented to a senior in geology who exhibits an exceptional level of dedication to the undergraduate degree and the profession. Recipient: Catherine Hughes
The Paul Birkhead Scholarship
This award honors Dr. Paul Birkhead, a former geology faculty member, by providing support for undergraduate students majoring in geology. Recipient: Andrew Joseph Moore
Undergraduate Awards for Biosystems Engineering
George B. Nutt Award
Presented to a senior/junior student majoring in Biosystems Engineering with outstanding achievements and possessing personal attributes necessary for successful accomplishments in this discipline. The award is given in honor of Dr. George B. Nutt, the first Department Chair of Agricultural Engineering at Clemson who served from 1932 to 1955. Recipient: Beth Walker
The 2026 George B Nutt Outstanding BE Junior award is being awarded to two students. Recipients: Danielle Pacheo, Madi Shaw
Biosystems Engineering “Spirit” Award
Presented to a senior in biosystems engineering who exhibits an exceptional level of dedication to the undergraduate degree and the profession. Recipients: Andrew Evans, Paige Farral
Graduate Awards in Environmental Engineering and Science
William R. Heatley, Jr Award
This award is presented in honor of Bill Heatley, an alum of the program when we were graduate only and the Department’s name was Environmental Systems Engineering. The award provides assistance for graduate students who are pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering & Science or a Doctoral degree in Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences. Recipient: Coulter Friez
Environmental Scholars Award
The Environmental Scholars Award recognizes outstanding Master’s degree students in Environmental Engineering & Science or Doctoral degree students in Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences. Up to 3 students per year are recognized. Recipients: Alston Kane, Ren Garity, Murchana Sarma
L.G. Rich Water Environment Association Award
Gene Rich was the founder of the Clemson Environmental Engineering programs. He served as a Professor and Alumni Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering from 1972-1987, as well as the Dean of the College of Engineering from 1961-1972. Dr. Rich authored 5 books and over 50 technical papers. He is widely recognized as one of the “giants” of the Environmental Engineering profession. Our main research facility in the Advanced Materials Park is named in his honor. This award was established by the Water Environment Association of SC. Recipient: Erin Boyer
A. Ray Abernathy Water Association Award
A. Ray Abernathy served as the Department Head for Environmental Systems Engineering, as the Department was once known. Dr. Abernathy was among the first researchers to conduct comprehensive studies of water chemistry in reservoirs in the upstate of South Carolina. He worked with Duke Energy in 1975 to study fish populations in lakes Keowee & Jocassee. These studies revealed that the fish contained unacceptable levels of mercury, leading to a public advisory to limit the consumption of fish caught in those lakes. Dr. Abernathy’s work on mercury greatly influenced the recognition of this as a widespread problem for South Carolina. This award was established by the Water Environment Association of SC. Recipient: Laura DiGiacomo
Thomas M. Keinath Water Association Fellowship
As with several of the awards given to undergraduate Environmental Engineering students, this award is given in honor of Dr. Thomas M. Keinath. Dr. Keinath served as a faculty member, department chair, and the Dean of College of Engineering and Science during his 37-year career at Clemson University. Recipient: Mahsa Ghorbani
R. Kenneth Tinsley Fellowship
This award is made in honor of R. Ken Tinsley, a long-time member of the Water Environment Association of SC. Based on his service to the wastewater profession, a Fellowship Endowment was established in his name to support graduate level students who are currently enrolled or accepted to a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering & Science or a Doctoral degree in Environmental Engineering & Earth Sciences. Recipient: Abigail Sgan
Benjamin Clay Dysart III Environmental Engineering Fellowship
Dr. Dysart was a professor in EEES (then named Environmental Systems Engineering) from 1968-1990. This fellowship was created to honor his contributions through generous donations from his many former graduate students. In addition to his celebrated career at Clemson, Dr. Dysart worked in industry, as a scientific advisor to federal and international agencies, and as President of the National Wildlife Federation. Recipient: Matthew Riss
Hydrogeology Awards
Dr. David S. Snipes Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Hydrogeology
Dr. Snipes was a professor of Geology from 1968 until his retirement in 1998, with an active focus on groundwater research. Creating the Symposium helped to play an important role in the University’s ongoing mission of promoting collaboration and exchange between educators, industry and government. As part of his legacy, a graduate fellowship in hydrogeology was created. Recipient: Nicholas Brady Anderson
1st Prize Best EEES Graduate Student Presentation. Recipient: Joshua Grant
2nd Prize EEES Graduate Student Presentation. Recipient: Abigail Sgan
3rd Prize EEES Graduate Student Presentation. Recipient: Alex Defalco
1st Prize Best EEES Undergraduate Student Presentation. Recipient: Mikayla Metzler
2nd Prize for EEES Undergraduate Student Presentation. Recipient: Amy Ramirez
3rd Prize EEES Undergraduate Student Presentation. Recipient: Catherine Hughes
External Awards
2025-2026 Roy G. Post Scholarship Richard J. Burk, Jr., Fellowship
Dr. Roy Grayson Post received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1944, and a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1952 from the University of Texas. In the interim of these degrees, he served during WWII as a member of the Manhattan Project in Chicago. Dr. Post dedicated his professional life to applied research and later to teaching in the field of nuclear engineering and nuclear waste management. Dr. Post served at the University of Arizona as a Professor of Nuclear Engineering from 1961-1988. He authored over 100 publications in the field of nuclear engineering, as well as edited books on nuclear fuel reprocessing and radioactive waste management. He served as editor of the journal Nuclear Technology from 1969 until 1988. He was founding chief executive of the Waste Management Symposia, Inc., sponsor of the annual international Waste Management Conference. The Roy G. Post Foundation is a non-profit organization formed by his students, peers and protégés to provide scholarships to students to develop careers in the safe management of nuclear materials and to participate in the WM Conference. Recipient: Chineyem Ebite
2025-2026 Roscoe Hall Scholarship
Roscoe Hall was one of the founding health physicists at the Savannah River Site. In recognition of his hard work and dedication to the field of health physics, The Roscoe Hall memorial scholarship is awarded annually by the Savannah River Chapter of the Health Physics Society to one Clemson University student and one Francis Marion University student who:
- Is/will be enrolled in Health Physics or a closely related field.
- Maintains at least a 3.2 GPA.
- Lives in the Southeast, USA.
- Plans to practice health physics or work at a nuclear related facility.
Recipient: Cooper Tillman
Blue Ridge Foothills District Scholarship
The Blue Ridge Foothills District Scholarship (BRFD) from the SC Water Environment Association and the SC division of the American Water Works Association is an integral part of the BRFD’s mission to provide, support and encourage environmental education and development. Awarded applicants must be pursuing a degree in any Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) field. Recipients: Laura Digiacomo, Marc Mason
The Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF)
EREF is one of the largest sources of private research funding in North America related to sustainable materials management. The EREF grants program has provided millions of dollars in funding to cutting edge research institutions to help address the many challenges that exist. Following a highly competitive application process, one of the winners selected for this year’s scholarship program is Recipient: Laura Digiacomo
2025 International Ultraviolet World Congress Travel Award
The International Ultraviolet Association was established to make the use of Ultraviolet Technology a leading technology for public health and environmental applications. Each year the Association provides funding to a select number of graduate students to attend their international meeting. Recipient: Eman Alhamdan
2026 Legacy of Learning Scholarship by the Water Environment Association of South Carolina
The Legacy of Learning Scholarship from the Water Environment Association of South Carolina (WEASC) recognizes students for their outstanding achievements and dedication to advancing the water profession. Recipient: Eman Alhamdan
EESF Master’s Degree Scholarships in Environmental Engineering and Science
The EESF is the Foundation for the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists. Scholarships are offered to students who have been accepted to enter a Master’s Degree program in Environmental Engineering or a related field. These scholarships are based on academic performance. Recipient: Erin Boyer
Goldwater Scholars (Geology and NERS Minor)
The Goldwater Scholarship is one of the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate awards in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is awarded to roughly 500 sophomores and juniors nationally from a pool of more than 5000 applicants. Scholars are selected based on academic achievement, research experience, and commitment to advancing knowledge through graduate study. This year, two undergraduate students at Clemson who are participating the minor in nuclear engineering and radiological sciences minor have been selected as Goldwater Scholars. Recipient: Drew Hodges, Meridee Ritzer
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) Rise Award
The DAAD RISE grant funds summer research programs for American students at German universities. One of this year’s winners of a Rise Award is Owen Rogers, who is majoring in Biosystems Engineering. The project he was assigned to is the Algen-EPA lab at the Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences which is culturing algae to be used to make omega 3 supplements. Recipient: Owen Rogers
Water Environmental Association of South Carolina Conference (WEASC) 1st Prize
A number of our students attend the annual SC Environmental Conference. At this year’s conference, one of our graduate students won the top poster presentation award for her research on Investigating and Modeling the Impact of Nitrogen Species on Algal Carbon Capture. The award includes an all expenses paid trip to the national WEFTEC conference, which will be held in New Orleans later this year. Recipient: Lauren Todd
Additional Photos from the EEES Student Awards Ceremony
