After attending the national Materials Science and Technology Conference held in Pittsburgh from October 7 – 11, the
Iowa State Material Advantage (MA) chapter returned to Ames having received the Most Outstanding Chapter award. This is the ninth consecutive year the organization has earned this award, and MA members say it is a trend they will strive to continue.
In order to apply for the Most Outstanding Chapter award, each MA chapter is required to submit an end of the year report, summarizing each officer’s efforts throughout that year and including information related to the award criteria. In order to be judged favorably for the award, chapters must continually host events that promote professional development among its members.
Iowa State’s MA chapter did just that, hosting monthly meetings, regular social events, presenting interactive material engineering demonstrations to school children, assisting with college recruitment events, hosting fundraisers, organizing industry tours for members, attending materials engineering conferences each semester, and much more.
Samuel Reeve, senior in materials engineering and vice president of the organization, has been a member since his freshman year, serving as the secretary and outreach chair prior to his current position.
“Rather than trying to get the award, we do our best to put together events that are going to be the most worthwhile for our members,” explains Reeve. “I think that’s why members continue coming back. We’re always trying new things and putting on events that have never been done before.”
In order to achieve their goal of continuous improvement and growth, ISU MA is planning a busy spring semester filled with events. Not only will the chapter continue all of its regular activities, officers hope to implement a new event in which undergraduates who have performed research on campus can meet with students interested in doing so, building professional connections.
Lisa Rueschhoff, senior in material engineering and president of the club, has been a member since her sophomore year. Previously serving as an outreach chair for the organization, Rueschhoff is fully aware of what it takes to maintain the high standards the organization has come to be known for.
“We are a very independent group,” says Rueschhoff. “I think it works so well because we work hard to pass down information each year, transitioning our new officers well. We really try to build off the success and knowledge of previous officers.”
In addition to earning the Most Outstanding Chapter award, ISU MA was also named the Best Engineering Club by the Engineering Student Council last spring.
“We are really proud of everything that we do and honored to be recognized by Engineering Student Council,” Reeve says. “I think it speaks to the fact that our members are not only working hard to be exceptional in the field of materials engineering, but also working hard and being recognized among all fields.”
The chapter plans to attend the Materials Science and Technology Conference again next year in Montreal, Canada, continuing the tradition of being recognized for their work and with the hopes of claiming the Most Outstanding Chapter award for the tenth time.