Class of 2024: Meganne Chapman

From engineering organizations to playing Zippy, UA graduate had an impact beyond the classroom

Meganne Chapman will be the student speaker at the Spring 2024 College of Engineering and Polymer Science Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11, at 9 a.m. in the James A. Rhodes Arena. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Meganne will pursue a master’s degree in transportation engineering at the University at Buffalo.

Q: In which campus activities have you been involved?

A: I have been involved in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as a student member since my first semester at UA. I also was the 2024 ASCE Eastern Great Lakes Student Symposium planning chair and coordinated a three-day competition for almost 400 people from 17 Ohio and Michigan colleges and universities. I also was involved in the Steel Bridge Design Team and was the 2023 Construction Captain. My other engineering-related activities included the ASCE Surveying Team and Society of Women Engineers (SWE). I have also been a member of the College of Engineering and Polymer Science Dean’s Team since 2021 and I was the student manager in 2023-2024.

I have been a student assistant at ZipAssist since my very first day of classes at UA. I was part of the Emerging Leaders Program, Sigma Lambda Honorary, National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), and the Honors/Orr Residence Hall Government. I was a Leadership, Education, and Programming (LEAP) mentor from 2020-2021 for the Honors Emerging Leaders.

I also got involved in some marketing for UA. I was involved in the “Be More Than Your Major” letter campaign, which was turned into a University of Akron commercial and a College of Engineering and Polymer Science recruiting video. And I’ve been the Zippy mascot since my first year! As a senior I’ve been co-captain of the mascot team.

Q: What campus honors or awards have you received?

A: At the 2024 LIFE Awards, I was honored to be named a Top 10 Senior and a recipient of the A-Key Gold Award. I also received an Award of Distinction for the Top 10 Seniors of the Williams Honors College. During my first year, I was awarded the Outstanding Freshman Award. I have been on the CEPS Dean's List for four semesters and the Part-Time President's List for the 2021 Summer semester. I was so honored to be a student speaker for President Miller’s College of Engineering and Polymer Science reception and to speak in front of the UA Board of Trustees about the Emerging Leaders Program.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I am going to pursue a master's degree in transportation engineering at the University at Buffalo. Eventually I would like to gain dual professional licensure in civil engineering and surveying.

Q: What is your favorite memory of UA?

A: It is so hard to pick one favorite memory over the five years I attended UA. One favorite memory is going out to get frozen yogurt and play board games with my new friends who were fellow Honors Emerging Leaders. Another favorite memory is being filmed while reading my thank you letter to Dr. David Roke and then later finding out it was chosen as one of the commercials for the campaign. Another memory is having a great time at SpringFest with my closest UA friends. My most recent favorite memory is from the ASCE Eastern Great Lakes Student Symposium that I planned. I will forever remember all the thumbs up and great compliments I received from the other Ohio and Michigan schools we hosted about the event being very well-organized and successful. Their excellent feedback made the hard work and countless hours I put into planning the large event so worth it.

Q: What unique things should we know about you?

A: I own registered Jersey dairy cows and I show them at local fairs every summer in New York. I currently represent the Jersey breed by holding the titles of the New York State Jersey Queen and the 1st Alternate National Jersey Queen. I am a huge fan of cannoli and sunflowers, and I have two dogs and a cat.