Academics

Murdzek, Hakimi named marshals for College of Earth and Mineral Sciences

Shawn Murdzek (left) and Muhamad S. Hakimi will be recognized during the 2019 Earth and Mineral Sciences undergraduate commencement ceremony.  Credit: Penn State / Penn StateCreative Commons

Shawn Murdzek is the spring 2019 College of Earth and Mineral Sciences student marshal, the top graduate overall, and Muhamad S. Hakimi is the college’s engineering honor marshal, the top graduate from an engineering discipline. They will be recognized during the college’s undergraduate commencement ceremony at 8 p.m. Friday, May 3 at the Pegula Ice Arena.

Shawn Murdzek: Student marshal

Murdzek will earn his bachelor of science and master of science degrees in meteorology and atmospheric science through the integrated undergraduate/graduate program. He graduates summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA. Murdzek also will earn a minor in mathematics.

“I am extremely honored to have been selected as the EMS student marshal,” Murdzek said. “To me, this selection represents the culmination of several factors including hard work, persistence, great advisers and teachers and support from family and friends. A lot of the credit should go to those around me who showed me easier ways of accomplishing tasks, provided inspiration and taught me the utility of a healthy work-life balance.”

As an undergraduate, Murdzek served as both a research and teaching assistant in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science and as the head of information technology for the Campus Weather Service at Penn State. He also completed internships at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Earth System Research Laboratory and National Severe Storms Laboratory.

After graduation, Murdzek will continue his education at Penn State, pursuing a doctorate in meteorology and atmospheric science, studying tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.

He will be escorted at the graduate ceremony by faculty marshal Paul Markowski, professor of meteorology.

Murdzek parents, Brenda and Joseph Murdzek from East Hartford, Connecticut, plan to attend.

Muhamad S. Hakimi: Engineering honor marshal 

Hakimi will earn his bachelor of science in petroleum and natural gas engineering, graduating summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA. He will also earn a minor in energy business and finance.

“All the knowledge that I have gained here has definitely prepared me to be an engineer who is not only able to articulate reasoning, but also critically evaluate any engineering decision,” Hakimi said. “I’ll always be grateful for Penn State and its many opportunities that it has presented me with. We are!”

As an undergraduate, Hakimi received a Perdana Scholars Award from the Malaysian Embassy and an internship with PETRONAS, a Malaysian oil and gas company, working in Malaysian Petroleum Management. Hakimi also served as the chair of the University’s 2017 and 2018 PetroBowl team.

After graduation, Hakimi will work as a petroleum engineer for the Malaysian government.

He will be escorted by assistant faculty marshal Zuleima Karpyn, professor of petroleum and natural gas engineering.

Hakimi’s parents, Daud Ahmad and Jamaliah Kasim plan to attend the ceremony.

Last Updated April 24, 2019

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