The 26th annual Francis Crowe Society Induction Ceremony highlighted a broad range of alumni, faculty, students and leaders whose achievements reflect excellence across engineering, computing, education and industry. The event brought together the º£½ÇÉçÇø College of Engineering and Computing community to recognize professional impact at every stage of the field.
This year’s Distinguished Engineers and Dean’s Distinguished Members represent leadership across academia, research, and industry. Emily A. Haddad was recognized for her extensive leadership in higher education, overseeing academic programs, faculty, and student success initiatives that support thousands of students and a broad general education curriculum across the university. She has also played a crucial role in supporting UMS TRANSFORMS and the early development and momentum of the º£½ÇÉçÇø College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC), helping shape system-level academic innovation and cross-campus collaboration.
Ahmed Aboelezz was honored for his research and teaching in UAV systems, aerodynamics, and bio-inspired flight, supported by extensive externally funded research and a strong commitment to student mentorship. In addition, Aboelezz has demonstrated his commitment to making his research accessible through extensive K–12 outreach and engagement, including student rocket launch activities designed to spark interest in engineering and inspire the next generation of students.
Distinguished engineering alumni and leaders honored this year included Ross Bryant ’98, president and CEO of Fluid Imaging Technologies, recognized for leadership in analytical instrumentation and life sciences innovation; Christopher Gordon ’85, president of Wynn Development for Wynn Resorts, honored for global leadership in large-scale real estate and infrastructure development; Ben Townsend ’08, co-president and owner of Colby Company Engineering, recognized for multidisciplinary engineering consulting leadership; and Robert Monahan ’86, CEO and co-founder of UPPAbaby, honored for engineering-driven innovation in consumer product design and global brand development.
Student recognition highlighted outstanding academic achievement, research and leadership across the college.
Top graduating and outstanding students included Ella Boxall, outstanding graduating student in civil engineering, recognized for work in water resources engineering, sustainability and environmental resilience; Isabelle Irani, University of º£½ÇÉçÇø co-salutatorian in biomedical engineering, recognized for excellence in academics, Division I athletics and research in sustainable biomaterials in the Neivandt Lab; and Karun Varghese, outstanding graduating international student in electrical engineering, recognized for work in robotics, autonomous systems and research across multiple Uº£½ÇÉçÇø laboratories, as well as leadership and global engagement.
Additional MCEC outstanding students by unit were also recognized, including Wyatt Fessler (biomedical engineering), Kenzie Karpinski (chemical engineering), Ella Boxall (civil and environmental engineering), Chris Persinger (electrical engineering), Karun Varghese (computer engineering), Brianna Gannett (computer science), Benjamin Schmidt (engineering physics), Kat Gross (mechanical engineering) and Katie Fletcher (new media).
The Francis J. Hovey Award recipients were also honored for academic excellence and distinction, including Wyatt Fessler (biomedical engineering), Jacob Levesque (chemical engineering), Joe Thorpe (civil and environmental engineering), Brianna Gannett (computer science), Samuel Bach (electrical and computer engineering) and Benjamin Schmidt (engineering physics).
All eligible students in attendance were formally inducted into the Francis Crowe Society, joining a professional community of engineering and computing graduates committed to lifelong learning, service and impact in their fields.
Together, the ceremony reflects the mission of the Francis Crowe Society: to recognize excellence across all stages of the engineering and computing profession and to celebrate the lasting contributions of University of º£½ÇÉçÇø students, alumni and faculty to society.
