FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The College of Engineering’s Ralph E. Martin department of chemical engineering received the 2009 Departmental Gold Medal from the University of Arkansas.

The Departmental Gold Medal is awarded to one department that demonstrates a well-rounded investment in student success, usually demonstrated by excellent mentorship on the part of several faculty members.

This year, chemical engineering students won diverse honors, including a best conference paper; a spot as the U.S. delegate to a major youth camp; an honorable mention for the Goldwater Scholarship, which ranks among the nation’s top undergraduate science scholarships; four National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates; an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, which is among the most prestigious graduate fellowship in the country for scientists and engineers not sponsored by a specific institution; and two State Undergraduate Research Fellowships awarded by the state of Arkansas.

Departmental representatives also co-authored the proposal to establish RISE internships on the University of Arkansas campus through the German Academic Exchange and mentored the successful student teams in the People, Prosperity, and Planet Student Design Competition sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“These achievements demonstrate the collaborative learning environment present in the department and the far-reaching impact on students’ lives,” said Tom Spicer, chemical engineering department head.