2012-Yue (Luna) Yuan

First Major:      Mechanical Engineering
Second Major:  Policy Studies
Thesis:            Solar Power Plant for Lower 9th Ward

300 Word Statement

I am a citizen of the world, shaped by my Lafayette experiences. Born and raised in China, I left home four years ago to pursue the education I dreamed for. I found my passion in Mechanical Engineering and Policy Studies, both of which allow me to make a contribution in the field of solar energy to people across the globe.

The open and welcoming atmosphere at Lafayette encouraged me to explore new things become active in the community. Throughout my four years, I have participated in Fencing Team, the Speech Team, the Percussion Ensemble, and performed my Chinese instrument “Guzheng” for various occasions including a music therapy volunteer program, Extravaganza and the College Theatre. I served as president of Society of Women Engineers, co-founded the TEDxLaf club, and serve on multiple committees including Student-Faculty Committee, Diversity Advisory Committee and Board of Trustees.

My study-abroad semester in Germany and the following internship at the German Development Institute made me rethink my identity as more than a Chinese or American student. I aspire to be a global citizen like Marquis de Lafayette who dedicated himself to purposes bigger than his immediate surroundings. With this belief, I applied my knowledge by developing business ventures to benefit Egyptians, and designing a Solar Power Plant for New Orlean’s Lower 9^th Ward. As the main organizer of the TEDxLaf conference “Redefining We”, I helped promote global awareness on campus by sharing ideas to an audience over 100.

I want to thank Lafayette College and its people, who instilled in me the passion of being a global citizen. This place has become my second home and my fellow classmates, dedicated professors, supportive staff and committed alumni are my dearest families. I will pass the blessings I am fortunate to receive here to more people wherever I go.

 

 

Academic Activities

• Tau Beta Pi    2
  Selected into National Engineering Honor Society since junior year.
• William G. McLean Tau Beta Pi Prize   1
  This prize is awarded to a sophomore engineer who excels in both academics and activities. (2010)
• Dean’s list   4
• Double Major Honors Thesis    1
  •Design a solar power plant tailored for a lower-income community in New Orleans(Lower 9th Ward) devastated by Hurricane Katrina.   •Presented the design ideas to community leaders of Lower 9th Ward  •Assess the economic, environmental and social effects of implementing the design.   •Make recommendations to policy makers and community leaders on technical solutions and energy policies. (Advisors: Dr. Jenn Rossmann, Dr. David Veshosky, Dr. Karl Seeler)
• Grand Challenges Scholar    2
  •Self-designed an interdisciplinary research project combining neuroscience and electrical engineering.  •Collaborated on developing a circuit to emulate neuron activities, investigated applications and ethical issues.  •Poster presentation at Biomedical Engineering Society Conference; research paper accepted by International Association of Science and Technology for Development conference.
• McKelvy Scholar    1
  Faculty nominated to join the distinctive residence program that features intellectual activities. (2009)
• EXCEL Scholar   2
  Worked with faculty on a research project (blood flow simulation). (winter of 2010 and 2011 with Dr. Jenn Rossmann)
• Lafayette Intern Scholar    1
  Awarded $4000 for my internship in German Development Institute during summer of 2010. During my internship, I:  •Supported a collaborative research project on China-EU cooperation and global governance.  •Co-author a paper to compare contemporary foreign policy concepts of China and EU; paper submitted for publication.  •Attended Climate Change Conference held by EU-China Civil Society.
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)    2
  Elected to be president of SWE in 2010. Launched volunteer programs for women engineers, organized brownbags and social events. Engaged the club in cross-campus activities such as Engineering Week and TEDxLaf Week.
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  Position: Events Coordinator (2011)  Helped plan brownbags and build connections with other clubs. Attended ASME regional conferences.
• Study Abroad in Germany    1
  A semester abroad in Jacobs University of Bremen, an international university in Germany to deepen engineering coursework while learning about German political system and European culture. (Spring, 2010)

 

Campus Activities

• Board of Trustees – External Affairs    1
  Attend Board of Trustees External Affairs Committee meetings as the student associate on the committee.(since Fall 2011) Involve in considering and recommending policies related to the general public affairs programs including publications, press, promotional events, admissions, marketing and communications.
• The Easton and Community Relations Committee    1
  Attend the committee meetings as the student representative from the Trustee Committee on External Affairs.  The committee has the responsibiilty for recommending to the administration and the Board actions to enhance connections nad engagement between Lafayette College and the community, as defied by the College Hill neighborhood, the City of Easton, and the greater Lehigh Valley.
• Student Faculty Committee    1
  Voice opinion, raise questions, guide issues and help shape campus policies that affect all Lafayette students directly.(since Fall 2011).
• Director of Student Conduct Search Committee    1
  Serve on the Director of Student Development Search Committee to help identify the successful candidate for the position of Director of Student Development. (Fall, 2012)
• Diversity Advisory Committee    1
  Selected to serve on the first ever standing group comprised of faculty and students from the Faculty Committee on Diversity but also including staff, alumni and trustees. Meet monthly with the rest of the committee to give counsel and direction to Lafayette Senior Diversity Officer. Monitor the planning and progress of the College’s efforts to make diversity and inclusion a part of Lafayette. (Spring, 2012)
• The Office of the Dean of the College    1
  Planned and organized winter interim activities on behalf of the Office of the Dean of the College for three winters (2009 – 2011). Activities include recreational (bowling, ice-skating) trips, grocery trips, social nights and sports championship.
• Gateway Career Center    1
  Position:Gateway Ambassador. Helped with Gateway Career Center activities such as setting up Career Fair and presenting personal experiences in brownbags.

 

Community Service

• Sharing and Caring, Landis Center    1
  Volunteered in a Music Therapy Program by playing Guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument in a local Senior Citizen Center.
• Economic Empowerment & Global Learning Project    1
  Participated in the economic development project to help with Lower 9^th Ward’s sustainable development after Hurrican Katrina.
• Engineers Without Borders    1
  Participated in designing water purification system using alternative engergy for developing communities, beginnnin in first year.  Later worked in Water-treatment Team and helped test the system.

 

Athletics

• Lafayette Fencing Team    1
  Member of Lafayette Fencing Team in 2008
• Lafayette Badminton Club    1
  Member of the club in 2008
• Jacobs Cheerleading Team    1
  Member of the team during study-abroad semester in Jacobs University, Bremen in Germany. (Spring, 2010)
• Lafayette College Equestrian Team    1
  During 2010

 

Special Interest

 

• TEDxLaf    3
  Position: co-founder & president  •Organize campus-wide discussions on various topics from education to food to engage faculty, administrators and students in intellectual discussions.  •Main organizer of TEDxLaf 2012 conference ‘Redefining we’ in the context of ‘global citizenship’. Fund-raised $5800 from various clubs, departments and offices for the event. The event saw 11 speakers and over 110 attendants.
• International Student Association    4
  •Participated in fashion show and Indian Dance for Extravaganza 2012.  •Directed a multi-media performance Earth Song for Extravaganza 2011 by coordinating a multi-cultural band featuring instruments from different cultures and spread the message of global citizenship.   •International Student Orientation Leader, summer of 2009. Helped incoming international adapt to new environment.   •Regional Leader of Asia Pacific Area during the Extravaganza 2009, a week-long cultural event showcasing the culture of different continents. Organized the region’s brownbag, exhibition and fashion show. Performed Chinese Fan Dance and Guzheng Solo.   •Coordinated and performed in a cultural event March Around World in a local elementary school in 2009.
• Lafayette Percussion Ensemble    2
• LearnServe Egypt    1
  Selected to participate in a six- week exchange program that aims to empower twelve young people from U.S. and Egypt with cross-cultural business skills and a global mindset. Initiated the business idea of selling solar water heaters in Egypt and helped the team win the most virtual investment in competition. Presented the business idea to investors, industry experts, media, think tanks, mayors and diplomats.
• Lafayette Speech Team    1
  Participate in public speaking training for Extemp and Impromptu and attend speech tournaments. Won 3rd Place in Jack Lynch Invitation for 2010 Extemp Speech.
• A Good Person in Sichuan, College Theater    1
  Performed traditional Chinese instrument Guzheng to accompany the orchestra for the college theatre. (2009)
• Monster Diversity Leadership Program    1
  Selected to participate in a three-day leadership training        program designed to empower top college students and foster a diversity of ideas and cultures in corporate America.(2009)
• Reeder House Project    1
  Work in an engineering project to evaluate upgrades and new technologies and propose  implementations to  make the college dorm Reeder House more sustainable.
• Japanese Interest Floor & Reeder House    2
  Lived in two interest floors in 2011 and 2012 to immerse in cultural and intellectual living experiences.

Shanghai Expo 2010
Student Ambassador from Germany (following my semester abroad). Helped with exhibition illustration, event coordination and receptions in Bremen Pavilion as a student ambassador from Germany. (2010)