Two Packaging Science students have been named “Outstanding Seniors” in Fall 2023 awards. Leah Severance was named Packaging World Outstanding Packaging Science Senior for Fall 2023 for Clemson University. Sarah Jane Lynskey was named the Robert Testin Outstanding Packaging Science Senior Award winner for Fall 2023 for Clemson University. Dr. Robert Testin was the first department chair for Packaging Science.
Leah Severance will be graduating in December 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Packaging Science and a minor in Sustainability. Throughout her time at Clemson University, Leah has worked to take advantage of various opportunities, including participating in the Sonoco Fresh Summit, attending Pack Expo, studying sustainability abroad, and getting involved with research-focused classes. In Fall 2021, she completed her first co-op with Colgate-Palmolive, working in a local manufacturing facility and supporting production. In Spring 2023, Leah completed a second co-op with Hill’s Pet Nutrition on their R&D team located in Kansas. “I’ve really enjoyed my time with Clemson,” Leah says, “I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned and see the program continue to grow.”
While at Clemson, Sarah Jane Lynskey been active in the Packaging Science Club, holding various executive board positions. She is currently in her third semester as Vice President and has enjoyed connecting with peers and industry professionals through this role.
Academically, Sarah Jane is engaged in creative projects like Packaging Life Cycle Analysis Studies, integrating Post-Consumer Recycled Content into Blown Films, planning Zero-Waste Events, and volunteering for the Gameday Recycling Challenge. She has also interned in the Prototyping Lab for the past three semesters at The Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics on-campus.
Outside of class, Sarah Jane was a Student Co-Director for the 2023 Packaging Jamboree and assisted in planning the 2023 Sonoco FRESH Summit reception. In 2022, she completed a co-op as an eCommerce and Environmental Impact Intern at Pregis in Naperville, IL. Most recently, she spent her summer at Newell Brands as a Packaging Engineer Intern in Huntersville, NC.
“Following graduation, I plan to return to the Newell Brands packaging team, said Sarah Jane. “I am very appreciative for the time and resources the Clemson Packaging faculty have invested in me to help me achieve my goals!”
