BCoE students honored by campus organization
May 6, 2008
STARKVILLE, Miss.- As part of a recent campus awards ceremony several Bagley College of Engineering (BCoE) graduate students were recognized for their leadership, service and dedication to the university.
The 2008 Graduate Student Association (GSA) awards banquet honored both master’s and doctorate level students from the university’s various graduate programs. Representing the BCoE, Harry Lam, industrial engineering, was named Service Assistant of the Year, while Sunil Palla, electrical engineering, and Amrit Thakur, computer science, received the master’s level Research Assistant of the Year award.
“I admire the work the GSA is doing to help graduate students both academically and in the quality of life on campus,” Thakur said. “I am truly grateful to be recognized by this organization. It makes me want to work harder and produce more results in my research activities.”
Thakur, from New Delhi, India, is active in various parts of research within the computer science and engineering department. He has also worked with the GeoResources Institute on projects funded by NASA. Expected to graduate in August, he notes that he is honored to share this award with Palla, a fellow engineer.
Palla, a native of Visakhapatam, India, plans to pursue a career in power systems engineering following his expected graduation in August. He was recognized for his efforts in the modeling and simulation of power systems as part of research conducted with the department of electrical and computer engineering.
“Earning recognition as a graduate research assistant of the year is a great honor. It recognizes my research potential and hard work,” Palla said. “Being a part of this organization has been personally beneficial and I know it will help me professionally as well.”
The awards ceremony also recognized Lam, who also received his undergraduate degree from MSU, for his continued service to the university. A native of Gulfport, Miss., he currently serves as the graduate coordinator for the university’s engineering living and learning community, which helps freshmen acclimate to college life. He is a member of numerous honor societies and maintains a relationship with the BCoE’s faculty, staff and students through his continued participation in university activities.
“Personally, it was nice to be recognized by the Graduate Student Association, but more importantly, I was glad to see that the university is paying attention to the graduate student community and what we do for MSU,” Lam said.
The awards banquet was held in the Leo Seal M-Club overlooking Scott Field. The ceremony included a keynote address by Dr. Lori Bruce, a professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering. The event was presided over by the organization’s officers including vice-president Terrance West, electrical engineering, who will serve as the organization’s 2008-09 president.
West, of Meridian, Miss., is currently pursuing a doctoral degree. Having completed both his master’s and bachelor’s degrees at State, he sees the important role the GSA can play in students’ lives.
“The GSA has given a voice to the graduate community at State. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve as vice-president of the organization, and I know as president for the coming year, I can help take the GSA to the next level,” West said.
According to West, the goal of the GSA is to promote a quality education, which encompasses the areas of research and academics, quality of life for graduate students and their families, and professionalism in graduate students’ relationships with each other. He hopes that in the coming year he can help increase student participation in the organization and establish it as a leader on campus.