CH2M Staff Recognized for Academic, Lifetime Achievements
At the American Water Works Assn.’s (AWWA) Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE), three CH2M water staff received special recognition for academic and lifetime achievement awards.
CH2M’s Jennifer Liggett received the AWWA First Place 2016 Academic Achievement Award for her Master’s Thesis titled “Microelectrode Investigation of Iron and Copper Surfaces Exposed to Free Chlorine under Relevant Drinking Water Chemistries.” Her thesis helped provide a deeper understanding of how drinking water quality impacts metal pipe corrosion and how it can affect drinking water aesthetics, pose public health concerns and increase costs associated with providing safe, clean drinking water. The award encourages academic excellence and recognizes graduate students who have made outstanding contributions to the field of public water supply through their work at a university.
Liggett, who graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2015 and works in the firm’s Denver, Colo., headquarters, joins the ranks of several other CH2M employees to accept this distinction. Victor Sim received the award in 2015 for his doctoral dissertation and was the first recipient outside of North America to receive the award since its institution in 1966. Emma Shen and Ken Carlson received academic achievement awards in 2014 and 1996 respectively.
CH2M’s Silvia Vlad also received the AWWA Second Place 2016 Academic Achievement Award for her master’s thesis titled “Removal of the Cyanotoxin Anatoxin-a by Activated Carbon Adsorption,” which furthered industry understanding of the treatment options of cyanotoxins as well as the impacts of carbon properties on adsorption efficacy. Her thesis presented guidance on carbon selection and outlined treatment and detection considerations for a potent neurotoxin of emerging concern. Vlad completed her master’s degree at the University of Waterloo in 2015, before joining CH2M’s Toronto, Ontario, Canada, office.
Additionally, CH2M’s Ross Kaneko, a client account manager and project manager in the firm’s Honolulu office, was presented with the prestigious AWWA Fuller Award and inducted into the Fuller Society—the highest honor AWWA bestows on water professionals. The Fuller Award is given annually to individuals selected throughout their respective geographies for their distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of their sound engineering skill, brilliant diplomatic talent and constructive leadership. Ross was recognized by AWWA’s Hawaii Section for his distinguished service, including serving as Section Chair from 2002 to 2003.
“CH2M is proud of the dedication and commitment our people show to the water industry, and we are honored to celebrate Jennifer, Silvia and Ross’s achievements during this year’s ACE conference,” said CH2M Global Water Business Group President Peter Nicol.
CH2M also presented the Holly A. Cornell Scholarship, created by CH2M to honor a firm founder, to Katie Connolly during the Water Industry Luncheon June 21. Connolly received her undergraduate degree from Ohio State University and is currently attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is pursuing her Master of Science in Public Health in Environmental Sciences and Engineering. The scholarship, given annually, encourages and supports outstanding female or minority students pursuing graduate studies in the field of water supply and treatment.
Source: CH2M