Student Awards and Recognition
Colorado Engineering Council
Silver Medal Award
Each year, the Colorado Engineering Council (CEC) awards the Silver Medal to a student at each of the state’s engineering colleges. The award is based on research skills, academic performance, and service, and is based on nominations from departments within the college and subsequent interviews with candidates.
2025
Brianna Stanley,
chemical and biological engineering
“Brianna is a highly motivated individual who fully embraced the learning opportunities outside of the classroom at CSU to stretch herself as an engineer and grow as an entrepreneur.”
2024
Olivia Brown,
biomedical and mechanical engineering
“A truly gifted engineer, and exactly the type of graduate we strive to produce.”
Previous winners and nominees
- 2023: Nicholas Chastain, Chemical and Biological Engineering
- 2022: Sarah Verderame, Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering
- 2021: Nick Daly, Computer Engineering
- 2020: Caitlin Robinson, Mechanical Engineering
- 2019: Katie Jordan, Chemical and Biological Engineering
- 2018: Hannah Mikelson, Biomedical Engineering
2025 E-Days
Award Winners
The engineering students at Colorado State University hold an annual Engineering Days celebration, “E-Days,” to showcase undergraduate senior design projects. Interact with our students and view a variety of engineering projects in-person at the Lory Student Center and Plaza.
Industry advisors, faculty, and staff judge projects during E-Days each year, and present winning projects with awards.
Biomedical Engineering
- 1st – Chemiluminescence reader for point-of-care diagnostic tests
- 1st – Feminine stress incontinence product
- 1st – AI-powered digital twins for predictive tumor modeling
Chemical and Biological Engineering
- 1st – Sip secure
- 2nd – PRPA carbon capture & regeneration
- 3rd – Caterpillar CO2 to methanol
Civil and Environmental Engineering
- 1st – Elevation Engineering: Poudre Fire Station 7 design
- 2nd – Ramsportation engineering: University Ave/Green trail design
- 3rd – Greenback Consulting: Fish barrier design
Electrical and Computer Engineering
- 1st – Optical neurons
- 2nd – Baby monitor
- 2nd – Snow
- 3rd – Novel MRI technologies
Mechanical Engineering
- 1st – Design, Build, Fly
- 2nd – CSU Formula SAE Ram Racing Team
- 3rd – NASA University Student Launch Initiative (USLI) Rocket Competition Team
- 3rd – A blackjack dealing robot – showing the future of automation
Mechanical Engineering Research Practicum
- 1st – Tillie Pinkowitz, Optimization of compositionally graded CDSE/CST/CDTE absorber with CDCL₂ treatments
- 2nd – Cyrus Johnston, Transient modeling with empirical validation of a steam generating heat pump
- 3rd – Daniel Watling, Design of a gyroid heat exchanger for stepper motor cooling applications
Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity showcase
The Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity (CURC) Showcase is an annual event held in April that showcases the creativity and scholarship of undergraduate students across various disciplines.
CURC workshops help undergraduate students prepare for the Celebrate Undergraduate Research and Creativity event. Sessions cover abstracts, posters, presentations, and what to expect on the day of CURC, with practical tips to help you feel confident and ready to share your work.
CSU Strata Demo Day
Celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship at CSU Demo Day! A premiere event that inspires and enriches the innovative community of CSU and Northern Colorado. Faculty, staff, and students, as well as alumni, business professionals, and entrepreneurs have the opportunity to engage with researchers and local emerging companies in and around our community.
In 2025, CSU Strata recognized 11 awardees with $11,000 in cash awards, including a number from our college.
Graduate Student Showcase
The GradShow highlights the incredible research, creative projects, and entrepreneurial work of hundreds of graduate students from all disciplines at Colorado State University.
Graduate students from every discipline are encouraged to submit an abstract to present their work at this all-day event, where participants will compete for $23k+ in scholarships. More than 300 graduate students participate each year!
