URI junior, Foster resident honored by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers

KINGSTON, R.I. -- April 22, 1999 -- Robert Lawton, Jr. of Foster, a junior in the chemical engineering program at the University of Rhode Island, has received the 1998 Donald F. Othmer Sophomore Academic Excellence Award from the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE). This award is given to the national AICHE student member in each chapter who has attained the highest scholastic average during their freshman and sophomore years.

Lawton posted a 3.65 cumulative grade point average in his first two years. Lawton is also in the International Engineer Program (IEP) with a double-major in German. "I already know English so why not learn German? It is not an easy language but, it gives me balance so I am not crunching numbers all day, Lawton said. With 15 credits, two labs a semester, and studying up to 25 hours a week, he still takes time to go running daily.

No one in Lawton,s family is an engineer. "I could never see myself behind a desk or table for the rest of my life, and I have always been good with my hands, Lawton said. "After thinking about what I wanted to do, I thought about chemical engineering, and it challenged me. Having the IEP program here at URI is great, I am killing two birds with one stone. He will complete his double major in two more years with the International Engineering Program being a five year discipline. After working a couple of years close to home, he plans on going to graduate school in Germany. "I am studying German so intensely I may as well put this language to good use.

The award, which includes a certificate and a copy of Perry,s Chemical Engineer,s Handbook was presented by Associate Professor Donald Gray, adviser of the URI student chapter. For more information about the American Institute of Chemical Engineers please contact, Gray, at 874-2651.

For more Information: Dave Lavallee, 874-2116