A record four alumni from the Omega Chapter were recently named to Pi Kappa Phi’s Thirty Under 30. This award seeks to recognize young alumni for their accomplishments in life after college. Four is not only the most men named to the list from a single chapter in a single year, but puts Omega at 6 total, tied for the most of any chapter.
This year’s Omegas Named to the Thirty under 30 are Michael Lolkus, Chris Ruff, Patrick Hobbins, and Ryan Kilboy.
Michael (Ω1736) served as the Omega chapter’s Historian, vice archon and archon for two terms. Upon graduation, Mike joined Teach For America to teach at a stand-alone charter high school in Newark, NJ. For the past five years, Mike has taught Algebra 1 to students from over 40 middle schools in the greater Newark area, with his average student entering high school at the 6th-grade level. During his tenure at his placement school, Michael has served as the Assistant Dean of Instruction and Mathematics Department Chair, overseeing the creation of curriculum for five mathematics courses and providing instructional coaching to four teachers each year. He has been recognized by his organization as the recipient of the first ever “Empathy Award” and second-ever “10,000 Hours Award,” in recognition of his ability to understand and serve the needs of his teammates, as well as mastering his teaching craft. Next year, Mike will be attending Columbia University to pursue his master’s in Mathematics Education and plans to continue working with students in underserved communities.
After graduation, Chris (Ω1755) got a job at Rolls-Royce as a Control Systems Engineer developing and demonstrating the use of new technologies such as power electronics and thermal management systems on gas turbine jet engines. At Rolls-Royce, Chris was instrumental in several new engine development programs and helped design and assemble thermal management technology which was used on a successful ground test for a new integrated system, a first for the company. As a result, his team was awarded the Defense Presidents Award for Outstanding Innovation. In 2015, Chris joined the Control Systems Technology group. He is currently leading a team that is working globally to develop a new engine controller for future product applications. He continues to remain involved in research and technology programs and was able to file a patent for the company as well. Chris recently graduated from Purdue University with his M.S. in Technology, Leadership & Innovation. Outside of work, Chris continues to serve people with disabilities through a volunteer program at the church he attends.
Patrick (Ω1916) recently graduated in December of 2016 with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. While a student at Purdue, he interned at United Airlines. Along with the internship experience, he is a Pi Alpha, having ridden Journey of Hope North Route during the Summer of 2016. After graduation, he began working for HX5-Sierra under the TFOME II contract at NASA Glenn where he currently works as a Mechanical Test Engineer. In this position, he and a team of mechanical test engineers, electrical engineers, data engineers, researchers and technicians test new, state-of-the-art designs of future aerospace concepts at NASA Supersonic Wind Tunnel and Low-Speed Wind Tunnel. While tests can range from aircraft engine fans to full aerodynamic models, the team just finished a Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) test in the 8’x6’ wind tunnel. With this test, a scaled aircraft model was subjected to subsonic and supersonic airflow to provide meaningful aerodynamic and propulsion data, that will further strides in developing a supersonic passenger aircraft capable of flying over the United States (which is currently restricted due to prior legislation).
After graduating with a degree in nuclear engineering, Ryan (Ω1758) began his career at Bettis Laboratory in Pittsburgh, supporting operations and refueling of US Navy aircraft carriers. From there, he accepted an analysis and engineering position with the Department of Defense in Washington, DC where he has remained for five years. Ryan volunteers as an EMT with the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad where he spends at least one night a week responding to medical emergencies. He was also elected Secretary of the Rescue Squad’s Board of Directors, taking on additional leadership and administrative responsibilities which keep the life-saving organization moving forward. Ryan met and married his husband Matthew, a US Navy Lieutenant, in DC where they are excited to have recently bought a home together.
To see the rest of the 2017 Thirty under 30, or to view past years, visit http://starandlamp.com/index.php/features-nav/alumni/2015-06-05-16-46-26/2017