Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Scholarship, Leadership, Service Put Nelson at Top of Senior Class

 

Even if you knuckle down on the books, opt out of non-academic activities, and forgo a social life, getting through college in four years can still be a tough task. But for someone with a résumé like Andrew Nelson’s, it might be closer to a miracle.

Nonetheless, the materials science and engineering major is on schedule not only to graduate this spring after entering Iowa State in the fall of 2003, he’ll graduate as one of three College of Engineering students to be recognized with the Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award from the Iowa State University Alumni Association. Only five students won the award university-wide.

Nelson’s achievement is no miracle, just the result of intelligence, hard work, and a commitment to community. He’s a native of Bettendorf, Iowa, and his parents and two siblings are Iowa State graduates. The first engineer in that Cyclone lineage, Nelson decided on MSE after witnessing a demonstration during Engineering Scholars Day in the spring of 2003.

“They broke glass, blew stuff up—it was just a bunch of cool demonstrations,” Nelson says. “So I thought ‘that’s interesting; I’ll start out with that.’”

Since then, Nelson’s appreciation of the field has become somewhat more sophisticated. He boasts a 3.67 GPA, with an emphasis in metallurgy and electronic devices. For the past two years he has worked under the mentorship of MSE Professor Alan Russell, including service as a teaching assistant in both 2005 and 2006.

“Andy truly is among the top 1% of our student body, both in terms of grade point and of his interpersonal skills,” Russell offers. “His ability to rapidly grasp new concepts combined with his laboratory proficiency makes him a rare example of someone who is both intellectually outstanding and able to transfer those concepts into successful experimental design and execution.”

Yet five semesters on the Dean’s List alone is only part of the package. What makes Nelson stand out among any number of classroom stars at Iowa State is his deep commitment to leadership and service. From serving as a Freshman Honors Program seminar leader in 2004 to president of Theta Chi fraternity, Nelson’s leadership skills have won him accolades that include VEISHEA Outstanding Student Leader, Government of the Student Body Student Leader of the Year, and Interfraternity Council Fraternity President of the Year.

As director of community service activities with his fraternity, that leadership has been dedicated to service projects ranging from hospice support to blood drives to building playgrounds in the Ames area. And this spring Nelson is serving as operations manager for the 2007 Engineering Spring Career Fair.

Nelson plans to work in industry upon graduation, with a possibility of further education down the road. Yet like most successful leaders, he doesn’t hesitate to credit those who have contributed to his success.

“I’ve been fortunate in the people I’ve met along the way, and the professors who have helped me out,” Nelson acknowledges. “And I’d also like to thank my parents. Without them I don’t think I could have accomplished nearly what I’ve accomplished in college.”

---