Hometown
Logansport, Indiana
Major and Graduation
Bachelor and Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, Expected Graduation: 2023
Student Organization Involvement
Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Institute of Food Technologists, Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity, The Billiard Society of IIT
Why did you choose your major/what do you want to do with your degree?
I chose to pursue chemical engineering as my major to fulfill a childhood dream that had sprouted in middle school. I wanted to pursue this degree in order to address several issues that humanity faces in regards to projected food crises, water shortages, pollution, etc. As I progressed along my professional journey, my love for chemical engineering flourished and I realized the variety and breadth of fields that I could be involved with. I want to use my degree to better the living conditions of people and am stepping into the bio-pharmaceutical sector as my first formal experience in my career.
What is your favorite thing about the Camras Scholars Program?
My favorite thing about the Camras Scholars Program is the sense of community within. I have found many like-minded individuals and developed life-long friendships within the Camras community.
Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
In 20 years, I see myself leading a fulfilling career leveraging my chemical engineering skills and background to help others. I hope to be a pillar within my community while still developing my professional skills ever further.
How do you think you best represent what it means to be a Camras scholar?
During my time at IIT, I have been involved in many projects and have been heavily involved with many organizations throughout. I worked here on campus over one summer in a part of the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates program in collaboration with the FDA and IFSH staff here in Chicago. I had the pleasure of working with Wilson Sporting Goods in one of my IPRO classes with my team's project winning the Industry and Technology award for that semester. Throughout these four and a half years at IIT, I have striven to give back to the community and have done at least 12 hours of community service each semester as well as taken on various roles within the clubs and organizations mentioned above. Most recently, I started an organization on campus (The Billiard Society) with a group of friends and in our second semester we now have roughly 180 members. While these projects and acts have been fulfilling, my main focus at IIT has been the pursuit of academic excellency. Due to this focus, I have maintained a high GPA and have made the Dean's List almost every semester.
Contact
Email: dbergstedt@hawk.iit.edu