CEF Celebrates the Class of 2022
On June 9, 2022, Chicago Engineers Foundation (CEF) honored the high school and college students named as 2022 Incentive Award recipients. After hosting virtual events in 2020 and 2021, this celebration was held in-person at the Union League Club of Chicago. At this year’s event, Chicago Engineers Foundation announced more than $100,000 in awards to Chicago students.
Chicago news anchor Rob Johnson served as the Master of Ceremonies at the event, and welcomed more than 140 guests including students, educators, engineering professionals, alumni, and friends to the celebration. Debra Shore, Regional Administrator of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 was the evening’s keynote speaker.
Debra Shore spoke about the work of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the many opportunities engineering professionals have to combat climate change. Ms. Shore spoke about how climate change is impacting both rural and urban areas, with severe weather including droughts and flooding. She encouraged students to use what they learn in school to improve the environment and be “guardians for human communities and to be caring kin for all those creatures with whom we share habitat.” Ms. Shore further stated that everyone can make a positive impact, and to look towards both the public and private sector for career opportunities that can help improve our world.
The 2022 Award Celebration was generously sponsored by:
A highlight of the evening was remarks presented by four Incentive Award recipients. Students were selected from each class, to share their career aspirations and inspirations, as well as ways they are helping to empower fellow students. The Class of 2022 are Chicago students pursuing engineering careers. They are graduates from public, private, parochial, and charter high schools throughout the city. Many commuted across Chicago daily to attend their high schools, from neighborhoods on the south, west, and north sides, as well as many suburban towns.
More than 40% are the first generation in their family to attend college. The average GPA among all of the recipients is 3.6. Further despite the pandemic, among the high school recipients, the average of their community service hours this year is 130!
CEF’s award recipients are studying many facets of engineering in college ranging from civil and mechanical to biomedical, aerospace, and computer science. They are attending some of the finest engineering schools in the country from local universities to programs nationwide. CEF award recipients are in engineering classrooms across the country and represent some of the best of the next generation of engineers.
Incentive Awards are made possible by individuals, families, professional associations, and companies committing to fully fund awards for the recipients. Some sponsors support annual awards for different students each year, and others may follow specific students through 4 years of study. The sponsorship program grows each year, and CEF is honored by every partnership. Many thanks to the 2022 Award Sponsors!
Congratulations to the Class of 2022!
