2018-Waseh Ahmad
Waseh Ahmad
First Major: Electrical Computer Engineering
Second Major: Computer Engineering Dual Degree: Economics
300 Word Statement
We all have accomplishments we are proud of, whether they are external goals that are displayed to everyone, or internal struggles we have been dealing with for years. The ideal Lafayette student seeks to make these achievements bigger than themselves, bigger than just the college, and impact society in a positive way. Being a marquis scholar means nothing unless I use the opportunity I’ve been given to promote the society around me, with me. It has allowed me to become a leader around campus in official and unofficial roles, hoping to help guide others while at the same time, encouraging them to guide me. My role as a resident advisor and later head resident, has shown me that the Lafayette ideal isn’t someone who always stays in front of everyone, they are someone who can see the struggling and help them find their own path. For me though, breaking the bubble surrounding our college campus came early on my first year. I realized that there was so were so many experiences and problems we on the campus had no idea about. This led me further to the path of community service, taking part in ASB as both participant and leader, ensuring that I try and learn as much as I can about societal issues so that I may contribute to our community, hoping for a continuous ripple effect. Encouraging our community to think more empathetically has been a challenging and rewarding experience that has hopefully helped both myself and my fellow Lafayette students, grow more open minded to the changes we can, but more importantly, should be making. In the end though, all of this is only valuable if we can learn to question our own actions and the actions of people closest to us, reflecting on why we do what we do and how we make sure to not live in ignorance of what is going on around us.
Academic Activities/Awards – Total Years Involved
- Phi Beta Kappa (1)
Inducted in my Junior year spring semester, into the oldest honor society for the liberal arts and sciences in the United States. - Eta Kappa Nu (1)
Inducted into the Electrical and Computer Engineering Honor Society in my Junior Year spring semester. - Tau Beta Pi (2)
Inducted into the Engineering Honor Society in my Junior Year fall semester. - Omicron Delta Epsilon (1)
Inducted into the Economics Honor Society in my Junior Year spring semester. - Marquis Scholar (4)
Awarded the Marquis Scholar award for my admission into Lafayette College. The scholarship is awarded to those students Lafayette believes have demonstrated intellectual curiosity in addition to displaying superior academic achievement. - Dean’s list (4)
I have been able to make the Dean’s List for all semesters in my college career. - Lawrence J. Conover ’24 Electrical Engineering Prize
Presented each year to a senior in electrical engineering upon recommendation of the electrical and computer engineering department. - ECE Senior Design Project Lead (1)
Led the 2018 Senior Electrical and Computer Engineering class senior project of making a Electric Vehicle suitable for competing in the formula Hybrid Competition. - ECE EXCEL Research (1)
Worked alongside Professor Jon Wallace in the ECE department (Summer 2016), in researching high frequency wireless transmission, culminating in a co-authored published paper in the IEEE. - Physics Research (1)
Worked alongside Professor Zoe Boekelheide in the Physics department (May 2015-May 2016), researching magnetic nanoparticles and the mechanical effect they may have during magnetic hyperthermia, in helping treat cancer.
Campus Services/Activities and Awards – Total Years Involved
- Resident Advisor (2)
Served as a resident advisor my sophomore and junior year, for Conway and 49 South College drive to approximately 20-25 first year students each. My goal was to grow a family-like community where first years could learn to thrive and develop meaningful friendships and college careers. - Head Resident (1)
Currently serving as the head resident of Sullivan Lane (Fisher east & West, Kamine, Conway and Rubin). Responsible for managing 11 Resident Advisors and helping them build stronger communities both within and outside their halls. - Skillman and Kirby Library Access Service (4)
An active student worker at two libraries for all four years of my college career (except Fall Senior Year and including winter and summer of first year) This role helped build both customer facing and organizational skills. - International Student Association (4)
Active participant of the ISA for all four years. I took part in the extravaganza performance my first two years and was the treasurer of the club m junior year. The club is the largest student run club on campus. - Peer Tutor (1)
Peer tutored students in Math (Calculus) my sophomore year, helping them learn and strengthen conceptual skills. - Supplemental Instructor (1)
Was the supplemental instructor for Professor Ute Schumacher Microeconomics class for one year (junior year). Focused on conceptual understanding instead of memorization. - SPAL Resident Advisor (1)
Was the resident advisor for a group of 12 first year STEM-minority students of the class of 2020. Helped them get accustomed to a college routine as well as programmed events to help them develop relations with their peers.
Community Service – Total Years Involved
- Alternative School Break (3)
Member in two alternative school breaks - Fitting In: Middle School Children Obesity and Self Esteem Issues
Helped build self esteem and athleticism in middle school children and reoriented the objectives for the Lafayette community in helping students belong instead of fitting in. - Saints go Marching In: Katrina Relief
Helped build subsidized homes for the gentrified areas resulting from Katrina.
Led a trip to Michigan regarding Sexual Assault prevention and response with the hope of changing the community behavior regarding such issues.
Participated in the Break Away Conference (ABC’s) Summer 2016 in order to better prepare myself for leading a trip as well as helping ASB program at Lafayette. - Make a difference day (2)
First year: member in helping in Easton garden clean up.
Second Year: Site Leader
Athletics Activity/Award – Total Years Involved
- Lafayette College Squash Club (4)
Active Member of the Lafayette Squash Club. Secretary of the club for 3 years, helping it rise from 64th in the nation to 54th. Rose in the ranks from 7th seed to 2nd seed of the Lafayette team. Played in two National tournaments my Senior and Junior years. - Lafayette College Athletics Facility (4)
Regular user of the athletics facility to maintain fitness. Made major transformation in my own physique and fitness and helped others with their goals as well. - Body Pump Classes (1)
Regular participant in the body pump classes during my sophomore year.
Special Interest – Total Years Involved
- Software Engineer Intern: Millennium management (1)
Worked as a summer intern with a trading team in the New York office of Millennium Management, developing in house software tools used by research analysts and portfolio Managers. - Running (2)
Started running for leisure as a way of exploring the town of Easton and surrounding nature. - Drawing (1)
Pursued my interest in drawing of landscapes my senior year by taking the class to develop my tonal skills. - Machine Learning and Data Science (1)
Recently developed interest in using machine learning with embedded systems to develop smart Internet of things platforms.