Three Bagley College students earn 2013 Spirit of State honors
May 5, 2013
Three Bagley College of Engineering students have earned recognition for their contributes to Mississippi State and the Starkville community.
The annual Spirit of State Awards honor students who have made a positive impact on their classmates and campus community. Recipients are nominated for the award by faculty, staff, or fellow students.
This year’s BCoE honorees are John Gazzini, Hannah Barkley and Andrew Odenthal (by hometown):
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.– John Gazzini, a senior computer engineering major, is a member of many groups on campus. He first got involved during his freshman year when he was selected as a member of Freshman Forum, one of the most selective and prestigious committees for MSU freshmen.
Gazzini is also a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity which he served as the president during the 2011-2012 academic year. Through his fraternity he was awarded a national Sig Ep Greece Study-Abroad Scholarship. Only 16 of 16,000 members throughout the country are chosen to attend the 10-day educational journey through Greece. He also enjoys doing community service by volunteering at Starkville High School and the Boys and Girls Club of Oktibbeha County.
Gazzini is the son of Larry and Debbi Gazzini.
OXFORD, Miss. –Senior biological engineering major Hannah Barkley has been involved in numerous organizations since coming to MSU. She currently is a student worker in the academic center where she helps others students with their school work. She is also a Montgomery Leadership Fellow through the DayOne program, which allows her to mentor a group of freshmen and oversee their T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability service project.
In 2012, Barkley assisted Keith Walters with research pertaining to the airflow and particle deposition in the human lung. Their goal is to create advanced delivery methods for medicines that treat lung diseases. She is known by her teachers and bosses for exhibiting a strong work ethic in every project she participates in.
Barkley is the daughter of Glen and Lori Barkley.
STAYTON, Ore.–A senior in civil engineering, Andrew Odenthal is an active member and former president of MSU’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He says his most rewarding experience since coming to MSU was leading fourth grade students on a tour of the civil and environment engineering department, which allowed him to share his knowledge and experiences with the young students.
Aside from school, Odenthal enjoys volunteer work. He coordinated a Habitat for Humanity Day throughout the state of Mississippi. He has also volunteered at high school competitions, Halloween carnivals, and tutoring and mentoring events. After graduation he plans to serve his country as a U.S. Navy Officer while pursing a master’s degree and working towards earning a professional engineering license.
Odenthal is the son of Paul and Janet Odenthal.
The Spirit of State award program was established in 2006 to honor students who excel in campus involvement, service and impact to their peers and the campus community. For more information about the program, visit www.saffairs.msstate.edu/spirit/.