Although currently studying on the other side of the world, Justin West, an aerospace engineering major at West Virginia University, is receiving national recognition for his academic and extracurricular achievements.

West, a native of Wheeling who is studying in Australia, recently received a prestigious scholarship from Tau Beta Pi, the international honorary society for engineering. The competitive award is based on scholarship, faculty recommendations and extracurricular activities.

“Justin is a great example of what students in our College can and do accomplish,” said Gene Cilento, dean of the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

This semester West, who will graduate next spring, is studying engineering at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia. He’s also involved with mentoring indigenous Australians.

“It has been challenging being away from home for so long,” said West, “but it’s also been a very rewarding experience.”

West previously studied in Hong Kong, where he studied engineering and tutored university students in English.

It’s no surprise that this busy young man is not planning on slacking off after he returns to the U.S. His plans for the coming summer include running a math program at West Liberty University in Wheeling.

-WVU-

4/16/10

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