Valparasio University Seniors, Alumna Honored by Tau Beta Pi

Three Valparaiso University seniors and one recent Valpo graduate have been honored by Tau Beta Pi, the world’s largest engineering society.

Alumna Casey Main ’19 has been named a 2019 Laureate of the Tau Beta Pi Association, one of just four students across the nation to be recognized this year and joining a prestigious group of 111 Tau Bates chosen nationally since 1982. Main is the fifth Valpo Laureate since 2010, and during this period, no other university in the nation has had more Tau Beta Pi Laureates.

“Casey epitomizes what it means to be a Valpo ‘Engineer’,” said Eric W. Johnson ’87, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering. “She has used her time as an undergrad to reach her full potential both inside and outside the classroom and is always striving to make a better world for herself and others. Her work in founding the College’s Council for Engineering Inclusion and Equity will have a significant positive impact on our students for years to come.”

A native of Fairview Park, Ohio, Main graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. While studying at Valpo, Main was an active member of her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and served as their president. She was also involved with the University’s chapter of the Society of Women Engineers and was the founder and co-president of Valpo’s Council for Engineering Inclusion and Equity.

In addition to her academic achievements, Main also excelled outside of the classroom as a member of the Valpo women’s swimming team, competing at the Division I level. Her involvement with the swim team included serving as a representative for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Three Valpo engineering seniors have also earned scholarships from Tau Beta Pi. Asad Fayyaz ’20, Kostadin Pendev ’20 and Katherine Bassett ’20 were each named Tau Beta Pi Scholars. Valpo students have been honored with 15 Tau Beta Pi scholarships in the last four years.

Fayyaz is an electrical engineering major from Faisalabad, Pakistan. He currently works as part of Valpo’s Christopher Center Library staff. During his time at Valpo, he has completed engineering internship opportunities in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Pendev is a computer engineering major with a mathematics minor from Des Plaines, Illinois. At Valpo, he has been the scholarship chair and alumni relations chair of his fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi. He is also involved with the Society of Automotive Engineers as their vice president, Mortar Board vice president, Eta Kappa Nu and the Order of Omega.

Bassett is a mechanical engineering major with minors in electrical engineering, environmental studies, and mathematics from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She was a recipient of the Caterpillar Endowed Engineering Scholarship before entering her first year in the College of Engineering for her commitment to leadership and service. At Valpo, she is involved in the environmental club as their president, Valpo Robotics on their executive board and the Social Action Leadership Team (SALT) as a co-leader for campus activities.