Student leaders from Armour College of Engineering (ACE) attended the Chicagoland Engineering Award Benefit dinner on Friday, February 21, 2014. In attendance were members of the IIT student government, leaders of ACE student organizations, and the finalists of the Fall 2013 PURE Undergraduate Research Expo at IIT.

U.S. Congressman Daniel Lipinski, 3rd District, opened the ceremony. Awards were given to numerous middle and high school students for winning area science fairs, poster competitions, FIRST Robotics competitions, and even a bridge building competition held at IIT in January.

Bill Nye the “Science Guy”, inspired many in attendance by speaking about the importance of promoting STEM education to inspire the engineers that will help solve the problems of tomorrow. In addition to speaking at the banquet, Nye was awarded the Washington Award. The award is presented by several engineering societies for accomplishments that promote the happiness, comfort, and well-being of humanity. Previous winners of the prestigious award include Herbert Hoover, Orville Wright, Henry Ford, and Neil Armstrong.