SWE-CI Awards
How can I apply for a Section Award?
Download the 2023 Individual Awards Packet here.
2023 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.
- Fiona O’Laughlin has been selected as the 2023 Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers Distinguished Member Award Recipient.
The Outstanding Engineer Award is awarded to a qualified woman who has made significant contributions in the field of engineering and/or technical management. Requirements include a minimum of an engineering degree or a degree in a technical field as well as work experience as an engineer.
- Liz Mathew has been selected as the 2023 Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers Outstanding Engineer Award Recipient.
The Outstanding Advocate 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.
- Thuong Le has been selected as the 2023 Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers Outstanding Advocate Award Recipient.
The pillar of support may be anyone within or outside of SWE but have expanded the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life and demonstrate the value of diversity. We are thankful for our pillars of support throughout the years that helped us reach our 30th anniversary milestone.
- Anita Yadav has been selected as the 2023 Central Illinois Section of the Society of Women Engineers Pillar of Support Award Recipient.
Past Award Winners
| SWE-CI Distinguished Member Awards 2023 – Fiona O’Laughlin 2022 – Laura Ruiz-Santamaria 2021 – Heather Ulrich 2020 – Ursula Towne 2019 – Karen Raab 2018 – Christiana Aguirre 2017 – Megha Garg 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 Pillar of Support 2023 – Anita Yadav 2022 – Beth Hinchee 2021 – Holly Teig 2020 – Gary Uken 2019 – Brooke Plavec | SWE-CI Outstanding Engineer Awards 2023 – Liz Mathew 2022 – Jennifer Brooks 2021 – Christy Lee 2020 – Yanchai Zhang 2019 – Susan Toher 2018 – Valerie West 2017 – Sarita Kuppilli 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 SWE-CI Outstanding Advocate Awards 2023 – Thuong Le 2022 – Aisling Hinderliter 2021 – Kade Diallo 2020 – Melanie Willi 2019 – Lisa Burt 2018 – Gina Riley 2017 – Amanda Martin |
External SWE-CI Awards
- 2013 – Women’s History Month Award from the National Organization for Women (NOW) Peoria chapter
SWE-CI Society Level Awards
- FY23 – Silver Award
- FY22 – Gold Award
- FY22 – Best Practice Mentoring
- FY21 – Gold Award
- FY21 – Best Practice Communication
- FY21 – Best Practice Awards and Recognition
- FY18 – Gold Award
- FY18 – Global – IGSTEM and 4G STEM camp partnership with WIN
- FY18 – Professional- Interactive Workshop with Dr Robyn McKay
- FY18 – Public Policy – Engineering Week at the Riverfront Museum
- 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 WE Local Awards
- FY23 – Joint Professional/Collegiate Event Award – Along with SWE University of Illinois
- FY23 – Outstanding Professional Development Event
- FY23 – Membership Retention Award
- FY22 – Joint Professional/Collegiate Event Award – Along with SWE University of Illinois
- FY22 – Outstanding Professional Development Event
- FY22 – Sustaining Benefactor Award – Caterpillar Inc. from SWE – Central Illinois
- FY22 – Pieronek Memorial Public Policy Grant Award – Stacey M. DelVecchio, F.SWE
- FY21 – Membership Retention Award
- FY20 – WE Local Integrator – Heather Ulrich
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
