State society recognizes ‘ace’ aerospace engineering student

Wade Spurlock, a senior aerospace engineering (ASE) student, has no-doubt, “aced” a lot of tests during his college career to maintain a perfect 4.0 grade-point-average. Recognizing his hard work in-and outside the classroom, the Mississippi Engineering Society is honoring the Presidential Scholar with the “Outstanding Senior Award.”

Spurlock is one of only three students across the state selected for the honor. Engineering students representing the University of Mississippi and Jackson State University also earned the exemplary designation.

“This year Wade has been nominated for the Harry Simrall Award for Engineering Student Excellence given by the Mississippi State Association of Retired Faculty, the Spirit of State Award, and the Bagley College of Engineering Student Hall of Fame, which accepts only six students per year,” said Robert Green, undergraduate coordinator for the Bagley College of Engineering. “He also holds the ASE engineering senior, junior and freshman student of the year honors.”

The young scholar’s list of accolades continue with highlights that include serving as captain of “Team Xipiter,” a 17-member unmanned aircraft systems student group that took the 2008 Best Flight Award of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. Within that same year, NASA invited Spurlock to study with the organization’s exclusive Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars program. In his spare time Spurlock enjoyed playing, for four years, on the MSU intramural Men’s Club Soccer team, as well as traveling to Monterrey, Mexico to teach English as a second language.

“Wade learned the importance of time management at a young age. He then wisely, valued and perfected the skill in order to give himself the advantage of becoming a more productive and accomplished student,” said Dr. Donna Reese, associate dean of academics for the Bagley College of Engineering. “His natural talent and abilities combined with his hard work ethic and dedication will make him an outstanding engineer.”

Spurlock’s future plans include entering an aerospace engineering Ph.D. program. He is currently considering studying at Stanford, CalTech, MIT, and Illinois University.

Founded in 1939, the Mississippi Engineering Society is chartered by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Its purpose is protect and promote the profession of engineering as a social and economic influence vital to the affairs of society and the United States.