2010 Chapter Award Winners

Every student chapter of AATCC has the opportunity to select one graduating senior per year to receive an AATCC Student Award. This year, 12 chapters submitted names. Each of these students receives a complimentary one-year associate membership in AATCC and a copy of Color Vision and Technology by Rolf Kuehni. The winners are described below in their own words, or in the words of their faculty advisors.

Congratulations to all 2010 graduates and especially, to these award winners!

Mark Chan, University of California, Davis
I am currently working with soy protein nanofibers, attempting to electrospin soy protein isolate supported by another polymer, such as poly(vinyl) alcohol. My research falls in to the area of my current interest in biodegradable polymers. My interest in biodegradable polymers likely stems from my residency in California as well as my attendance at UC Davis. My views on the world have been influenced greatly by my environment. I would like to be a part of the effort towards a sustainable future. I believe that biodegradable materials could help in this effort. Another area of interest of mine is in high-performance fibers. Ever since I learned about Kevlar, high-performance fibers have caught my interest. I hope to someday work with high-performance fibers, perhaps even creating a new and functional one.

Ali Hanner, Washington State University
Choosing Washington State University was an easy choice because of the amazing opportunities at the university. I am currently a proud member of Alpha Gamma Delta serving as their philanthropy chair in 2008 and Vice President of Operations in 2009. I also am a member of Marketing Club and International Textiles and Apparel Association (ITAA). I am currently the first President of the American Association of Textile Chemist and Colorists (AATCC) chapter here at WSU. I helped to establish the student charter chapter. As a service activity for AATCC, we are currently working on raising money to support a new building for our department by sewing band uniforms into pillows for retail.

James Hodges, Clemson University
Jamie is an excellent academician. He is in the Calhoun Honors College and a Goldwater Scholar (the competition for these highly prestigious scholarships is exceptional). Jamie also has two refereed publications. He assisted the organization and finance of the undergraduate programming South Eastern Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society 2007. As a member of Phi Psi Honors Textile Fraternity he was vice president and assisted the organization of the National Convention hosted in Clemson 2009.

Lara Jazmin, North Carolina State University
I have been able to balance my academic and social lives, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and making Dean's List every academic semester, while pursuing a double major in the two challenging fields of Polymer & Color Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Most people do not understand why I have chosen two hard majors, let along a major dealing in textiles. It has been one of my goals to be able to inform and educate these people about the exciting field of textiles and its implications on their daily lives. When I volunteered for the College of Textiles open house, I was able to talk with many curious parents and high school students about the impact that Polymer & Color Chemistry and Chemical Engineering has had on society and the vast opportunities that the field has to offer. The amount of technology and new innovations being developed right now amazes me so much, and I know I plan to be a part of that through my contributions.

Laura Jefferson, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Laura is senior in the Textile and Apparel Design program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She is an outstanding student who consistently produces creative and thoughtful work. She recently entered the AATCC's creative design "Summer Bling" competition. Her design work combined imagination, practicality and technical mastery to produce the top project entered in the competition from UW—Madison. Laura is doing a double major combining her interests in textile design and economics. For her thesis work, she is developing a line of handbags that will not only be utilitarian but also function as a kind social commentary on the current economic climate. She will do this through a combination of tongue-in-cheek patterns screen printed by hand and the actual construction/shape of the bags.

Molly LeBeau, Louisiana State University
My freshman year of college, I was selected to be a Student Ambassador for LSU in the China Initiative program. This program exposed me to the Chinese culture and the methods used to educate students about textiles. I also spent a summer in Italy enrolled in Art History courses. My global education extends to Massey University in New Zealand, where I spent last semester in the university's textile program. As a peer advisor in the Academic Programs Abroad office, I am able to share my travel experiences and advise fellow students on their own global programs of study.

Stephanie Roldan, Fashion Institute of Technology
The AATCC is a club that is known for its charitable events and its close connection to the textile industries. It is for that reason I decided to join. I have been fortunate enough to be a part of a club that strives to not only help the students in their careers, but help those in need as well. I have had the privileged to walk for breast cancer and raise toys for children. In addition, we hold fundraisers several times to raise money for the club that helps us with the supplies and necessities we need. Being involved in the club has made me a very well rounded and committed person. I hope to take with me what I have learned and apply to my everyday life.

Mandy Tehaan, Virginia Tech
While I do well in all classes, I have a strong passion in textiles and have excelled in all textile courses such as Introduction to Textiles and Textile Evaluation. To further my knowledge in textile evaluation, I am currently taking an Independent Study, involved in a research project concerning the ultraviolet radiation protection, durability, and maintenance properties of woven cotton fabrics. Because of my passion for textiles, I have been selected by Dr. Chen-Yu, the textile professor and the advisor of the AATCC student chapter at Virginia Tech, to revitalize the campus's AATCC chapter, which began originally in 1971 but has been inactive for a number of years.

Alanna Therrien, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
As a Materials Technology major with a Business Administration minor, I was named to the Dean's List four semesters in a row. I worked extremely hard in my field of study to maintain an above average GPA in my major. Other achievements that coincide with my academic accomplishments are the extracurricular activities I participated in while remaining in high academic standing. I was a participant on the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Varsity Equestrian Team for three years, being named captain for two of those years. I effectively managed my academic responsibilities giving myself the opportunity to compete at the Intercollegiate Horsemen's Associations Regional competition. To gain practical experience in my field of study, I accepted a position at Zibra Corp. in Westport, Mass. I felt the need to gain more experience especially because of the current economic status. With this opportunity I will put my knowledge to practical use, strengthening my skills while learning more about my field of interest.

Sarah White, Texas State University-San Marcos
Sarah White is an excellent student in an excellent program. She is respected by her fellow students as both a hard worker and a creative force in team work. She always participates and is helpful to teachers and students alike. Sarah has served as an officer and has been involved in all our AATCC chapter activities.

Shannon Wilson, Georgia Tech
As my collegiate career draws to a close, I humbly look back at a few of the academic achievements that I have made. In 2007, I received the prestigious OMED Gold Tower Award, which is awarded to students who earned a 4.0 GPA. I was also awarded the Yancey Scholarship for having the highest overall minority freshman GPA at Georgia Tech. That same year, I was named the GT National Society of Black Engineers Freshman of the Year. I am also a proud member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and was accepted to the Polymer and Fiber Engineering department's Management Concentration, which allows me to take 12 credit hours in the College of Management in conjunction with my engineering courses. In 2009, I earned the highest grades in PTFE 4100 and PTFE 4122, Chemical Processing of Textile Materials and Textile Chemistry Lab. I continue to strive to make the Dean's List at Georgia Tech, while learning as much as possible in the areas of engineering, management, and social sciences as I can.

Alexa Woodruff, Philadelphia University
Alexa excels in her core textile classes. Dean's list for Spring and Fall 2009. She is a top peer tutor for Weave I, II; Knit I, II; and Dyeing & Finishing courses. She has participated in an extracurricular design competition in which her team placed in the top four and is working towards achieving the top prize for the competition.