Eberly College of Science Honors Co-Op Students

Todd Ellis of Renfrew, Pennsylvania, has been selected as the 2000 Eberly College of Science Cooperative Education Student of the Year. Ellis, a physics and meteorology major, completed two co-op assignments with Science Applications International Corp. of McLean, Virginia. His work with the company's Center for Atmospheric Physics included a study of meteorological conditions during and immediately following the Persian Gulf War and membership on a committee that delivered a report to the Office of the Special Assistant for Gulf War Illness.

Ellis, who will graduate in May 2002, plans to continue his education with a doctoral degree in meteorology. He will receive a monetary award and a certificate of achievement during the Eberly College of Science Co-op Welcome Back Reception in January 2001 at the Nittany Lion Inn. He also will be nominated for the National Co-op Student of the Year Award, which is sponsored by the Cooperative Education Association and the Cooperative Education Division of the American Society of Engineering Educators.

Because of the outstanding performance of the student nominees for the annual award, two runners-up were selected. Eric Markel of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and Michael Italia of Reading, Pennsylvania, will receive monetary awards during the reception in January. In addition, the award committee recognized five additional nominees because of their accomplishments and contributions to the co-op program. That group comprised: Tim Brennan of Erie, Pennsylvania; Chris Kistler of Jeannette, Pennsylvania; Ryan Reith, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Brooke Speal of New Alexandria, Pennsylvania; and Rhiannon Weaver of Honeybrook, Pennsylvania.