Wichita State University
College of Engineering Outstanding Graduating Senior Awards
The College of Engineering has several awards to recognize outstanding graduating seniors. We invite you to learn more about the available awards, including The Stanley L. Lewis Memorial Award, the Harold and Melba Sullivan Award and the Dean's Award of Highest Academic Achievement.
The Stanley L. Lewis Memorial Award
Award Overview
The Stanley L. Lewis Memorial Award recognizes an undergraduate senior from the college who has garnered outstanding achievements as an undergraduate and has demonstrated leadership within the college and the campus community. This award was established in 2018 and is given each spring to a student who is graduating during the calendar year in which the award is being given. The recipient of the award receives a plaque and is honored at the WSU Senior Honor and College Awards Banquet in the spring. Students will also recieve a $750 prize for recieving this award. If mutiple students are selected, the prize will be split between each student.
In 2024, the award was renamed in honor of the late Stanley L. Lewis, father of Dr. Jacob Mendez, assistant dean of student success in the College of Engineering. Mr. Lewis sacrificed his dreams to allow Dr. Mendez to achieve his academic, personal and professional goals. Without the undying devotion of his father, Dr. Mendez's dreams would not have been possible. He is a first-generation college graduate from Wichita who attended Pittsburg State University for his bachelor’s degree, Missouri State University for his graduate degree and WSU for his Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Throughout his professional experiences in higher education, Dr. Mendez has found a passion for supporting students and helping them develop as leaders during their college experience. He values student leadership and involvement in extra-curricular activities and created this award to recognize students for their outstanding achievements during their undergraduate career.
For questions or more information, contact Dr. Cindi Mason.
Selection Process
2026 Award Recipient
Alexander Troth
Hailing from Frontenac, Kansas, Alexander Troth is an Industrial Engineering senior
set to graduate in May 2026. During his time at Wichita State University, he has been
a strong leader within the College of Engineering as a member of Engineering Ambassadors,
Alpha Pi Mu, and ACE Mentors, as well as the founding president of Shocker Robotics.
Within Sigma Phi Epsilon, he served as Vice President of Membership Development and
held several additional roles, contributing to the fraternity’s academic success.
His commitment to applied learning includes professional experience with the Office
of First-Year Programs, GoCreate, and The Smart Factory by Deloitte, where he has
accepted a full-time offer to join as an Analyst following graduation.
In his free time, Alexander enjoys snowboarding, working on hobby electronics, and
participating in intramural sports. He is always eager to talk about travel or the
perfect breakfast burrito.
Past Award Recipients
Harold and Melba Sullivan Award Winner
Award Overview
The Harold and Melba Sullivan Award is granted to a graduating senior at spring commencement and given in recognition of the highest cumulative GPA for work completed toward an engineering degree at WSU. In addition to award recognition, the award recipient receives a monetary prize, the amount of which varies slightly from year to year.
2026 Award Recipients
Aline Pham, Computer Engineering
Aline Pham grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and graduated from Maize South High School.
At Wichita State University, they earned a degree in Computer Engineering with a minor
in Mathematics.
Throughout their time at WSU, Aline has been involved in several organizations, including
the WSU Orchestra, Asian Student Conference (ASC), and the Society of Asian Scientists
and Engineers (SASE). They have also participated in an applied learning experience
under Professor Manira Rani, contributing to a research project focused on the use
of artificial intelligence.
Through WSU’s Ennovar student internship program, Aline is interning at Integra Technologies
as an engineering intern in the sustaining department.
Past Award Recipients
Dean's Award of Highest Academic Achievement
Award Overview
The Dean's Award of Highest Academic Achievement is granted to graduating seniors with outstanding academic achievement. In addition to award recognition, the award recipient(s) receive a plaque from the Dean's Office.
2026 Award Recipients
Daniel Halbleib, Cybersecurity
Daniel grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and graduated from Bishop Carroll Catholic High
School. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity at Wichita State
University. He is a CyberCorps SFS scholarship recipient and serves as President of
the Wichita State University Linux Users Group (WuLUG).
Over the summers of 2024 and 2025, Daniel completed two cybersecurity internships—one
with Millennium Corporation as a Red Team intern and another with the Johns Hopkins
University Applied Physics Laboratory as a Cyber Resilience intern. Throughout his
time at WSU, he has gained valuable hands-on experience through internships while
maintaining a strong commitment to academic excellence.
Bryson Murphy, Biomedical Engineering
Bryson grew up in Osage City, Kansas, and graduated from Osage City High School. He
is majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Psychology at Wichita State
University. He is a Rudd Scholar and maintains a 4.0 GPA.
Involvement has been a central part of his experience at WSU, with his role as President
of 3D Printed Prosthetics being a highlight of his college career. He currently conducts
research in the BioIES Lab under Dr. Yongkuk Lee, where he has presented at multiple
conferences and contributed to a NASA-funded research project. Following graduation
in May, he plans to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical engineering.
Madison Koester, Electrical Engineering
Madison is from Shawnee, Kansas, and graduated from Mill Valley High School. She began
her undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering at Wichita State University in
2023. She is also a student in the Bill and Dorothy Cohen Honors College and is minoring
in Chemistry.
On campus, she is involved in Shocker Racing Baja SAE, the IEEE WSU Student Branch,
and the Circuit Design Club. She has also worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant
and research assistant within the ECE department. After graduation, she plans to pursue
a master’s degree in electrical engineering, with career interests in the battery
industry, embedded systems, or semiconductors.
Zachary Walker, Mechanical Engineering
Zachary grew up in El Dorado, Kansas, and graduated from El Dorado High School before
attending Wichita State University. He earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering
with a minor in Computer Science, maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout his time at WSU.
Known for his curiosity and drive, Zachary explored interests beyond his major, including
electronic repair, circuit design, and restoring older computers and devices. He applied
these skills to design a full electrical system for his senior project. Following
graduation, he plans to work as a Structural Analysis Engineer at Spirit AeroSystems
and hopes to make a positive impact through his work.
Ethan Brooks, Mechanical Engineering
Ethan grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and graduated high school in 2017. After graduation,
he spent four years working as an electronics repair technician while traveling, visiting
16 countries across North America and Europe.
In 2022, he returned to Wichita State University to pursue a degree in Mechanical
Engineering. During his time at WSU, he interned with Viega LLC, the U.S. subsidiary
of the German plumbing and HVAC manufacturer Viega Group. He has accepted a full-time
position as an Associate Process Engineer with Viega, where he will join the automation
team.
Outside of work and academics, Ethan enjoys playing soccer on local recreational teams
and spending time with his wife, Alanah, and their daughter, Odette.
Hao Quang Cao, Electrical Engineering
Hao Quang Cao was born in Vietnam and moved to Wichita, Kansas, in 2020. As a first-generation college student, he began his academic journey by studying English as a Second Language and earning his GED and an Engineering Technology certificate at Butler Community College. Motivated by a strong interest in mathematics and physics, he went on to earn an Associate of Science in Pre-Engineering and a second associate degree in Physics before transferring to Wichita State University to pursue his bachelor’s degree. Following graduation, he plans to pursue a master’s degree while building a career in engineering.
Edward Bierens, Computer Science