Each year, a number of truly outstanding and intelligent students graduate from the Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (CEAE) Department; and this year was no different.
On May 8, 282 students graduated with their bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree from the department. Among this group of hard working intellectuals was Natasha Funk, who graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering as well as her master’s degree in Civil Engineering.
Obtaining both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at once might be considered Funk’s most remarkable feat during her academic career at CU-Boulder. But, doing so while simultaneously earning high marks in the classroom and involving herself in various extracurricular activities truly propelled Funk to the top of her class.
During her time at CU-Boulder, Funk acted as president for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), took part in the Steel Bridge Team, worked as a student and research assistant, and graduated with a grade point average of 3.95.
With each of these accomplishments under her belt, it is no surprise that Funk received several high honors and awards amidst her graduation.
The CEAE Department awarded Funk the prestigious 2014 Ketchum Award, which was designed to honor the top civil engineering student of the year, as well as the 2014 Architectural Engineering Distinguished Senior Award, which was designed to recognize an outstanding fourth year student within the architectural program.
“I am very humbled and honored to have been selected for both of these awards,” Funk said. “My parents nor my grandparents attended college, so I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend CU, and to be honored in this way is something more than I ever really imagined.”
Thus far, Funk’s academic achievements seem to have paid off. Currently, she works as an Engineer-in-Training (EIT), assisting in inspections throughout Colorado for Collins Engineers.
Funk plans to work toward obtaining her Professional Engineer and underwater diving certifications in the near future.