Valpo Engineering Student Honored as Tau Beta Pi Laureate


Valpo Mechanical Engineering Student Kyle Zobeck	Valpo Goalie Kyle Zobeck

Valparaiso University’s College of Engineering has high expectations for its students, who have a long history of being recognized for their success. Continuing this tradition of excellence, Kyle Zobeck, a senior mechanical engineering major and mathematics minor from Coralville, Iowa, has been selected as a Tau Beta Pi Laureate, one of the highest distinctions for a senior engineering student in the United States.

“I am greatly honored to receive the Laureate designation,” Zobeck said. “I don’t think the enormity of the situation has fully hit me yet. It is a very exclusive group to be a part of, and I cannot thank my professors, classmates, and fellow Tau Beta Pi members enough for putting me in a position to even be considered for this honor.”

Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society, selects up to five of the “best of the best” students from more than 325 U.S. colleges of engineering. Zobeck has the honor of being in a select group of 83 Laureates chosen since 1982. According to the Tau Beta Pi website, these Laureates are outstanding examples of the “spirit of liberal culture in engineering colleges.”

“This is the second Laureate that Valpo has had in the last three years,” said Kraig Olejniczak, outgoing dean of the College of Engineering. “I want to express my appreciation and thanks to the Indiana Delta Chapter for choosing a wonderful Laureate candidate. This is the caliber of award that continues to raise the reputation of our College of Engineering and our University.”

Zobeck is grateful for the opportunities available at Valpo, and knows that the education and experiences he has had at Valpo will help him to prepare for the future.

“I believe that Valpo has made me a better, more well-rounded individual and has prepared me for life after graduation,” Zobeck said. “I have been given numerous opportunities to expand my horizons while at Valpo that otherwise never would have presented themselves.”

Zobeck pointed to the exceptional quality of the College of Engineering and the dedication of engineering professors to their students.

Kyle Zobeck (Back Row, 2nd From Left) with Senior Design Team

“Valpo’s engineering program is outstanding because of the professors’ availability and willingness to help students on an individual basis and because of the amount of hands-on learning,” Zobeck said.

Zobeck also plays for the Valpo men’s soccer team. After graduating this December, he plans to pursue a career in professional athletics.

The award will be presented to Zobeck at Tau Beta Pi’s 2012 convention, which will be held Sept. 27-29 in Lexington, Ky.