Harper Named "Engineering Student of the Year" Runnerup

by George Zamora

SOCORRO, N.M., May 4, 2001 -- Mary Robin Harper, a native of Rio Rancho who is now a graduating senior majoring in materials engineering at New Mexico Tech, recently was named the research university's "Engineering Student of the Year" runnerup, an annual award presented by the New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers (NMSPE).

Harper, a graduate of Cibola High School, is the daughter of Michael and Donna Felker of Rio Rancho.

She was selected for the prestigious honor from a field of several outstanding engineering students by an interdisciplinary committee comprised of engineering professors at New Mexico Tech and current officers and members of NMSPE.

Harper is scheduled to graduate next week (May 12) with a bachelor of science degree in materials engineering with highest honors from New Mexico Tech.

"I am currently completing research at New Mexico Tech concerning the modification of internal gases in glass microspheres," Harper says.

She has been attending the state-supported research university on both an Albuquerque Journal Scholarship and a Ceramic Achievement Scholarship.

While working summers as an engineering intern, Harper has completed several high-tech research assignments with Motorola labs in Albuquerque and Phoenix, including projects involving
multi-layer processing and fuel cells.

In addition to her ongoing research and finishing up her class work, the Rio Rancho native also is actively involved with the university's Materials Society and serves as secretary of that student organization. Harper also lists current memberships in the American Ceramic Society and Tau Beta Phi, a national engineering honor society.

"I've enjoyed working with the youth and young children in Socorro, having frequently served as a teacher and activities organizer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints," Harper notes.

"I will soon graduate from New Mexico Tech, and have enjoyed my time in Socorro," she adds. "I feel confident that I've received a great education and look forward to using my education throughout my life."