Outstanding Student Honored by CIFTS
For release: January 6, 2009
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey, 901-678-2843

CIFTS is proud to announce its first Student of the Year award, which was presented to Sandy Mehlhorn. Sandy received her undergraduate degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University in 1996 and a master’s degree in civil engineering in 1997. She has worked for the Federal Highway Administration and the Texas Department of Transportation. In 2006 she received her Professional Engineering license before enrolling at the U of M to get her Ph.D.  The focus of her research is in the field of highway network reconstruction after a natural disaster. She plans to pursue an academic career when she completes her degree.

Sandy, who lives in Martin, Tenn., with her husband and two children, has shown a great deal of tenacity in working towards her Ph. D. The 200-mile round trip to attend classes at the University of Memphis has required her to give up a great deal of time at home with her family. Along with her class work, Sandy spends 20 hours a week working in the Intermodal Freight Transportation Institute. Her work ethic drives her to be involved in each of the projects that the center works on, and she always takes time to help other students who are working on their graduate and undergraduate work.  

Marty Lipinski, director of CIFTS and Sandy’s major advisor in pursuit of her Ph.D. said, “I am very proud of the work Sandy has done while here at the University of Memphis. She has exhibited outstanding leadership skills, as well as excellence in the classroom. Her commitment to her studies will make her successful in her future career.”

As the Student of the Year, Sandy will receive a $1,000 award and travel expenses to attend the Transportation Research Board Annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in January, 2009.