Chemical Engineering Graduate, Alex Marcos Zappi, selected as the Spring 2021 University’s Outstanding Graduate

Mr. Alex Marcos Zappi has been named the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Outstanding Graduate. Selected from among eight award finalists, he will be recognized during Spring 2021 Commencement ceremonies. Earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering, he will graduate with minors in Chemistry and Mathematics.

Nominated by the College of Engineering and its Dean Ahmed Khattab, the award is based on leadership, scholarship and service. An Alumni Association committee interviews candidates and selects one to receive the overall award.  Alex was also named the College of Engineering’s Outstanding Graduate.

“Alex Zappi is an exceptional student of high character, a tremendous work ethic and strong academic aptitude.  His love of research and development will serve him well in graduate school,” says Dean Khattab.  “Alex is a great example of what we, as a university, a college and a community have to offer. I look forward to what he will accomplish next,” continued Khattab.

Alex has carried a 4.0 GPA while active in the community, the college, and the university.  He has been on the President’s list throughout his college career.  He has authored two publications, co-authored two publications and has an additional one co-authored under review while doing more than 1900 research hours.

He has been a member of four honor societies and was honored with numerous awards and scholarships.  He is current president of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and has been past vice president and secretary as well as treasurer for Omega Chi Epsilon Chemical Engineering Honor Society, and a member of three other university organizations. 

Alex’s community services have covered STEM Summer Camp for under-represented minorities, Habitat for Humanity, city-wide cleanup, Ecology Research Center volunteer, and a referee for the First Lego League Junior Science and Technology competition.  His nomination form reflects more of his activities and participation.

After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school for a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Alex has been accepted into numerous chemical engineering doctoral programs, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Columbia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, Princeton, Penn State, Stanford, and Yale universities; and the universities of Florida and Michigan. He envisions researching and developing sustainable systems to prevent the effects of pollution and climate change at a university. Alex plans to play an active role in educating and mentoring future engineers and will be working within the Alumni community to help give back the support to future students that he received from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Congratulations Alex!!  We are proud to have you as part of our engineering family.

Other colleges outstanding graduates include: Mateo Chavez, College of Liberal Arts; Julianne DeBlieux, College of Education; Britney Hatfield, College of Business Administration; Blake Hightower, College of Nursing and Allied Health; Mina Juneau, University College; Maxwell Kane, Ray P. Authement College of Sciences; and Adam Ortego, College of the Arts.

For more information on Alex and all the Outstanding Graduates, please visit the university’s website here.