SWE-CI Awards

How can I apply for a Section Award?
Nomination window for 2017 awards has passed.  Keep your eye out for next year's nomination window!
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SWE-CI Section Awards
Thanks to our recipients for their energy and passion they dedicate to the Central Illinois Section and the field of engineering and congratulations on being awarded the following section awards.

The Distinguished Member Award honors women who have been actively engaged in the Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers. The nominee must demonstrate outstanding support and participation in the furthering of technical understanding or interest in young women. The nominee must be a SWE member or senior member in good standing and active in local activities of SWE. Participation in other professional and/or technical societies and community organizations is highly desirable as well-rounded individuals are sought for the award.

• Megha Garg has been selected as the 2017 Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers Distinguished Member Award Recipient.  Megha has proven herself a dedicated volunteer and leader within the SWE-CI section, the Region, and the Society as a whole.  Her energy and passion are contagious and she doesn’t shy away from taking on new challenges. Megha is a strong advocate of SWE and goes above & beyond to help others understand how SWE as an organization is making a significant impact in enabling women & girls to enter & succeed in engineering & technical careers.

​The Outstanding Engineer Award is awarded to a qualified woman who has made significant contributions in the field of engineering and/or technical management. She need not be a member of the Society. Requirements include a minimum of an engineering degree or a degree in a technical field.

• Sarita Kuppilli has been selected as the 2017 Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers Outstanding Engineer Award Recipient. Sarita is a strong technical contributor and leader within Caterpillar, known for her technical acumen as well as her enthusiasm for the work.  Her consistent ability to deliver outstanding results to her customers and business group exemplifies her leadership capabilities.  Her commitment to introducing STEM to youth and developing the next generation of engineers further demonstrates her passion for her profession.

The Advocacy Award recognizes individuals who advocate for the inclusion and success of women, both present and prospective, in engineering and technology.  The nominee must have demonstrated outstanding advocacy for women and girls in engineering and technology.  These activities could include but not limited to: pre-college outreach, recognition of women engineers through awards or high-visibility communications, education or career counseling activities, advocating for corporate policies friendly to women engineers, and advocating in local, state or federal government for laws friendly to women engineers.

• Amanda Martin has been selected as the 2017 Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers Advocacy Award Recipient. Amanda is being recognized for her work to inspire girls to consider engineering as a field of study.  She influences youth by serving on the board of directors for Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, as well as coordinating Caterpillar Decatur's IGSTEM event, among other outreach.  She has been involved with SWE and outreach since beginning her engineering education at University of Illinois in 2009, and continues that work today as a professional.

SWE-CI Distinguished Member Awards
2016 - Ranjani Rao
2015 – Paroma Banerjee
2014 – Sowmya Nagesh
2013 – Carol Weber
2012 – Jada Hoerr
2011 – Britta Jost
2010 – April Privett
2009 – Stacey DelVecchio
2008 – Shevaun Fennell
2007 – Beth Mack
2006 – Brittney (Lindstrom) Palmer
2005 – Amy Benecke McLaren
2004 – Jamie (Frisch) Stringfield
2003 – Alka Upadhyay
2002 – Elizabeth Sloan-Vicary

SWE-CI Outstanding Engineer Awards 
2016 - Amy Moore-McKee
2015 – Mary George
2014 – Anita Yadav
2013 – Jane Gerdes
2012 – Cindy Loos
2011 – Lou Balmer Millar
2010 – Rosalee Martinez-Weber
2009 – Amy Benecke McLaren
2008 – Arun Karumanchi
2007 – Karen Jensen
2006 – Liz Miles
2005 – Mary Wickham
2004 – Sylvia Delgado
2003 – Stacey DelVecchio
2002 – Lynette Lipski

External SWE-CI Awards

• 2013 – Women's History Month Award from the National Organization for Women (NOW) Peoria chapter

SWE-CI Society Level Awards

• FY16 - Outreach for Large Professional Section
• FY16 - Professional Development Event for Large Professional Section
• FY15 - Professional Development Event - Becoming a Person of Influence
• FY15 - Communications Award, 2nd place
• FY11 – Membership Transition
• FY11 – Strategic Communications PR Program
• FY10 – Membership Retention
• FY09 – Professional Development Event - Tour of State Farms Crash Investigation Lab
• FY08 – Public Relations Program Award
• FY08 – Membership Recruiting Program Award
• FY08 – Professional Development Program - Region H Conference Panel Award
• FY08 – Professional Development Series - 'Finding Your Fit' Award

SWE-CI Region H Awards

• FY16 - Outreach
• FY16 - Professional Development Event
• FY12 – Membership Retention for Large Professional Section
• FY12 – Highest Net Increase for Large Professional Section
• FY12 – Highest Growth for Large Professional Section
• FY11 – Membership Retention
• FY10 – Professional Development Program Award - 'Building Sustainable Skills' series
• FY10 – Membership Retention
• FY09 – Honorable Mention - Membership Growth, Large Section
• FY09 – Honorable Mention - Continuous Improvement Work Life Balance Committee
• FY09 – Honorable Mention - Innovation SWE Communities Use
• FY08 – Innovation Award - City of Peoria Proclamation of E-Week
• FY08 – Membership Award - Membership Retention, Medium Section
• FY08 – Honorable Mention - Membership Growth, Medium Section
• FY08 – Continuous Improvement Award
• FY07 – Membership Award - Outstanding membership retention
• FY07 – Membership Award - Outstanding membership growth
• FY07 – Membership Award - Outstanding membership net increase
• FY07 – Innovation Award - Article Club Program
• FY07 – Professional Development (Honorable Mention) - 'Ready, Set, Go' Professional Development Series