IN THE NEWS
Christopher J. Barrett
The article below appeared in the May 2002 issue of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering's online publication "Chapter One." As a member of the Bio-Oil Team at UNH, Christopher Barret has also co-written a report on the feasibility of producing bio-oil with scrap wood in northern New Hampshire.
Christopher Barrett has the dual distinction of being rated first in his senior chemical engineering class, with a 3.80 GPA, and having financed 100% of his university education through merit scholarships. On campus, he has served as secretary of his AIChE student chapter, and president and treasurer of the UNH TAPPI (Technical Association of the Paper and Pulp Industry) student chapter. A member of the UNH Honors Program since 1998, he was also elected to the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, for which he served as vice president; Mortar Board National Honor Society, for which he served as president; Golden Key National Honor Society, and Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.
Christopher is on the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences Dean’s Advisory Committee and College Tour Guide, UNH Commencement Ceremony Marshal appointed by the Dean since 1999, and was elected dorm president and T-shirt designer/coordinator. He also was an Ambassador to the Cornell University Summer Honors Program. Off-campus, Christopher volunteers his time with the Sunapee, NH, Lions Club.
In the Summer of 2001, Christopher worked as a research consultant through the NH Pollution Prevention Program and the UNH Office of Sustainability Programs on Integrated Waste Management for the town of Durham and the university. This position, which “required interacting with university and town officials, along with irate citizens,” sharpened his communication, business, and political skills. These, along with the leadership skills he gained through many elected positions, and being first in his class in high school and college, as well as extraordinary time-management skills, should stand him in good stead this summer when he plans to obtain an internship in the chemical engineering field. Previously, he held a position as a water testing lab assistant for the Lake Sunapee Protective Association, and worked at the Lake Sunapee Yacht Club.
Christopher’s many honors and awards include being named National Dean’s List Scholar, and receiving the Donald F. Othmer Academic Excellence Award, and the Wal-Mart Competitive Edge, UNH Governor’s, Robert C. Byrd, Douglas R. Woodward, TAPPI Local Section, and Frederick Waite Scholarships. He hasn’t yet settled on a career direction, and he plans to consider graduate school programs in chemical engineering, business, or patent law, as well as job offers.