3/27/2015
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The award recognizes IIE graduating senior members who “have distinguished themselves through excellence of scholarship and campus leadership,” based on their IIE and campus involvement, leadership and academics.
McEathron said she was surprised when she learned she was one of three in the nation to receive the award.
“It’s pretty cool to be able to say that I got it,” she said.
She has been involved in IIE for all four years in school, devoting more time to the organization after being elected Secretary last year. The position requires her to work the logistics behind events, planning, and managing members.
“Anything that has to do with planning, I’m the brains behind that,” McEathron said. She added that she is happy that the position has allowed her to get to know more IIE members because they come directly to her for questions.
“I’ve left a mark … not a huge one,” she said, “but being able to say I helped out is really cool.”
In addition to her involvement with IIE, McEathron has been involved with Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity, the Fighting Illini Triathlon Club, the Society of Women in Engineering, and working her job at the Ikenberry Commons Residence Hall Library.
After graduation, McEathron will transition into a job with Liberty Mutual Insurance in Warrenville, Ill., in their risk control division. She will be on their developmental program for one year before she will then be able to apply to rotate to any position in the country where there is an opening with Liberty.
She said she enjoyed interning with Liberty last summer and is excited about her upcoming position, which has the problem-solving component that she said her IE degree has prepared her for.
“Communication is a huge part of [an IE degree],” McEathron said. “That’ll be a big thing with this job specifically, dealing with clients.”
Her goals as an engineer are to have a position where she can be a leader after learning the ropes, whether it be for an engineering consulting firm or for a company like Liberty.
“I’ll be a follower for a couple of years, learn it, and then I’d love to lead,” she said.
“When I become very passionate about something, it’s like, okay, my turn.”