Society for Underwater Technology Awards Six at Scholarship Reception

By: Anna Heller SUT February 15, 2017
Scholarship recipients Oluwarotimi Shoge, Natalie Zielinski, and Babalola Komolafe pictured at the Milford House at the SUT Scholarship Cocktail Reception. Photo: Anna Heller
 

Houston, TX- It was standing room only for the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT), as members attended the Annual Scholarship Cocktail Reception at the Milford House in Houston’s Museum District.  

 

The event celebrated the recipients of the 2017 Society for Underwater Technology Scholarship.  There were six recipients this year, each being awarded with $3,000 for the school year. The students represent three different universities and as many educational disciplines.

 

The scholarships are the culmination of years of hard work from SUT’s dedicated volunteers and members. Through learning courses, membership, events, and sponsorships, these scholarships are made available each year to deserving students. 

 

The recipients of this year’s scholarships were: 

The event began with Master of Ceremony, Alan Foley, Offshore Site Investigation and Geotechnics committee member (OSIG), welcoming everyone and introducing Dr. Zenon Medina-Cetina, President of SUT’s US branch and Associate professor with the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University. 

 

“Today is the best day of the year for SUT, we celebrate the best of the best in Underwater Technology in SUT-US.” Medina-Cetina stated. “We recognize the best students involved in underwater technology programs.”

 

The scholarship cocktail reception was the biggest celebration of the year for SUT-US, giving the opportunity to recognize deserving students, university student-chapters, and volunteers for their continued hard work. 

 

“We are glad to see that many of them are strongly involved, representing SUT in their corresponding university’s student chapters.” Medina-Cetina said about the students. “Recipients of SUT awards today remind us why they make SUT- US proud.” 

 

Following the introduction was a keynote presentation by Craig Shipp Ph.D., P.G., Shell International Exploration and Production, Inc. His presentation, “Offshore Geohazards Assessment: Where Deepwater Drilling Meets Shallow Geology,” gave those attending a look at what ‘get’s him up in the morning’ and excites him about the work he does. 

 

Also celebrated during the night was the reintroduction and sponsorship of the Texas A&M-Galveston Student Chapter by the SUT board. Marissa Malinoski, president of the TAMU-Galveston student chapter, was thrilled to receive a $2000 sponsorship to help put on events and build their membership. She also made a presentation of their first events coming up in the spring. 

 

The student chapters from Texas A&M and University of Houston also made presentations of their past and upcoming events. Chukwuemeka Obi, president of SUT-TAMU was optimistic about the events for Spring Semester, one being the ROV Collegiate Competition hosted by SUT-TAMU. 

 

University of Houston’s student chapter president, Stacy Short, presented the events for SUT-SES, one specific event will be a continuation of their lunch and learn series held on campus. 

 

Lastly the celebration ended with the symbolic granting of the fellowship tie to Mr. Andrew Haigh. He is the chair of the school touring committee and has worked relentlessly to engage professionals in the industry with young students. In 2015 his efforts reached over 6,000 students in the greater Houston area and even more students in 2016.

The HSPVA jazz ensemble entertained throughout the evening while those in attendance enjoyed drinks, hors d’oeuvres and great conversation. 

 

Natalie Zielinski
Texas A&M University
PhD Candidate; Oceanography

What does it mean to be awarded the SUT Scholarship for this year?
It was definitely an honor to be acknowledged for the work that I’m doing at A&M and chosen to receive the support to my education and professional development, especially because it’s an ever-restricting financial domain with environmental science, so any assistance in any amount goes a long way. I’d like to offer my thanks to the society for their investment in my future. It really is an honor, I think I heard that I was the only A&M recipient, even above all that is an honor because I am invested in this school and love to be able to represent them in the way that I can.

What do you value about SUT?
SUT is perfectly challenging in the way that I can interact with people that have completely different backgrounds than I do. The connections that I can make, everything is beneficial to myself and I feel like I can bring fresh ideas to the society
 

 

Oluwarotimi Shoge
University of Houston
Graduate Student;
Subsea Engineering

What does it mean to be awarded the SUT Scholarship for this year?
I am honored to be awarded this scholarship, especially because it has been quite challenging to meet the financial demands of graduate school. This scholarship will also support my research work, assist me in realizing my dreams with renewed hope and contribute immensely towards alleviating my evident financial hardship.

What is something that you are particularly passionate about within your educational and professional career field?
I believe that a major driver in this industry is cost optimization in the ways subsea project are carried out so that profit is maximized. I am passionate about designing of new subsea equipment and implementing new technologies that will help reduce the cost of operating a subsea field.

 

Babalola Komolafe

 

 

Devvrat Singh Rathore University of Houston

 

Anne Wright