Welcome to Delaware Valley Geo-Institute!
Student Outreach
DVGI Scholarship Program
DVGI’s next annual Student Night will be held in March of 2026. During the event, select local BS, MS, and PhD students in geotechnical engineering and related fields will be recognized for their academic and research achievements with scholarship funding. Applications for scholarships will open this fall.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Enrolled as a full-time student
- Working towards a degree Bachelor’s (B.S.), Master’s (M.S.), or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in geotechnical engineering or related fields
- Give permission to have your name published if you receive the award
- Provide a copy of your college transcript
2025 Scholarship Recipients:
- Avinash Pandey (Rowan University)
- Jocelin Mayorga (Widener University)
- Juan Zamora (Drexel University)
- Maria McNicholas (Drexel University)
- Mohamad El Ahmad (Villanova University)
- Nasreldeen Hassan (Widener University)
- Sarah Burghardt (Villanova University)
Past Scholarship Recipients:
2024
6 Winners – $6,000 Dispersed
- Ani Khachadourian (Lafayette University)
- Catherine Marino (Villanova University)
- Daniel Porotov (University of Delaware)
- Kris Melag (Drexel University)
- Sean Walshe (Lafayette University)
- Slade Goldman (University of Delaware)
2023
5 Winners – $6,000 Dispersed
- Andrew Kline (Villanova University)
- Anupam Bhattarai (Villanova University)
- Gwen Clark (Temple University)
- Katherine Weimann (Lehigh University)
- Thomas Mayer (Villanova University)
2022
6 Winners – $8,000 Dispersed
- Andrew Risser (Drexel University)
- Ayman Elhag (Drexel University)
- Brennan Smith (Bucknell University)
- Elisabetta Iannetti (Drexel University)
- Katherine Kubiak (Temple University)
- Kayla King (Rowan University)
2021
8 Winners – $8,750 Dispersed
The Humphrey Fund was established in 1926 to support the Philadelphia Section, which was renamed the Richard
L. Humphrey Memorial Fund in 1939. The purpose of this Fund is to promote the objective of the Philadelphia
Section with special attention to the long-term health and growth of the Philadelphia Section, to promote
educational opportunities on a yearly basis, and to support special activities not of a yearly nature and other
special activities based upon long-term planning.
Scholarship Winner – Humphrey Fund ($4,000)
- Elaena Machado (Drexel University)
- Halie Every (Villanova University)
- Mary Helen Baudinet (Villanova University)
- Zakaria Abdul-Rashid (Villanova University)
Scholarship Winner – DVGI Fund ($4,750)
- Aidy Ung (Lafayette University)
- Eric Hunstein (Lafayette University)
- Rahaf Hasan (Rowan University)
- Timothy Osgood (Rowan University)
2020
9 Winners – $7,500 Dispersed
2019
8 Winners – $6,000 Dispersed
- Alexa Overeem (Lafayette University)
- Brooke Paccione (Lafayette University)
- Casey Raczkowski (University of Delaware)
- David Ajayi (Drexel University)
- Katherine Weimann (Lafayette University)
- Kyle Horsham (University of Delaware)
- Mary Hennessy (Temple University)
- Nicolette Yasemin (Lafayette University)
Student Technical Presentations
DVGI’s next annual Student Night will be held in March of 2026. During the event, select local BS, MS, and PhD students in geotechnical engineering and related fields will be recognized for their academic and research achievements with opportunities to deliver PowerPoint or poster presentations. Applications for presentation slots will open this fall. Submissions can be considered for PowerPoint Presentation and/or Poster Presentation.
General Requirement:
- Local student working towards a degree Bachelor’s (B.S.), Master’s (M.S.), or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in geotechnical engineering or related fields
2025 Student Speakers:
- Avinash Pandey (Rowan University) – “Evaluating LiDAR’s Capability for Detecting Frost Heave in Cold Regions”
- Catherine Sengstock (Widener University) – “Strength Enhancement of SSA-Based Geopolymer Concrete Using GGBS”
- Reza Jebeli (University of Delaware) – “Effect of Pore Water Salinity on the Residual Strength of Kaolinite”
2025 Poster Presenters:
- Mohamad El Ahmad (Villanova University) – “Assessing the Behavior of Coastal Soils”
- Reza Jebeli (University of Delaware) – “Experimental Study on the Effect of Salinity Variations on the Water Retention of a Marine Lean Clay”
- Siamak Yoosefi (University of Delaware) – “Effect of Soil Non-Linearity on the Field Behavior of Buried Pipe”
- Sophia Lunn (University of Delaware) – “Monitoring Seasonal Variations in Temperature, Water Level, Pore Pressure, and Salinity”
DVGI Annual Student Night
DVGI Student Night 2025 – Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Next, three student speakers presented capably on their research.
Reza Jebeli, a PhD candidate at the University of Delaware, discussed his work on the impact of pore water salinity on clays’ stability and shear strength. Avinash Pandey, EIT, a master’s student at Rowan University, reviewed his research on the potential use of LiDAR to evaluate frost heave in frigid climates. Finally, Catherine Sengstock, a master’s student at Widener University, outlined her investigation into developing low-carbon cementitious materials using industrial byproducts. DVGI congratulates its student speakers and thanks them for their ongoing contributions to the geo-profession.
The 2025 DVGI Student Night was held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Villanova University. After a student poster session (accompanied by corporate sponsor tabling and a happy hour) and a delicious dinner, the evening’s program got started as DVGI recognized Ernest Hanna, PE of GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. as the ASCE Philadelphia Section’s 2024 Geotechnical Engineer of the Year. Ernie packed his short, sweet acceptance remarks with kernels of wisdom from his 40+ years as a geo-professional.
DVGI congratulates Ernie on his well-deserved recognition and wishes him the best as he eases into his recently-announced retirement.
Finally, the evening closed with the presentation of DVGI’s student scholarships. This year’s DVGI scholarship winners included: Sarah Burghardt, EIT (Villanova University), Mohamad El Ahmad (Villanova University), Nasreldeen Hassan (Widener University), Jocelin Mayorga (Widener University), Maria McNicholas (Drexel University), Avinash Pandey, EIT, (Rowan University), and Juan Pablo Zamora Beyk (Drexel University).
The DVGI Board had the challenge of narrowing a crowded field of well-qualified candidates to select scholarship recipients. The Board extends its thanks to all this year’s applicants and congratulates the student winners. DVGI is proud to support you in your academic endeavors!
DVGI thanks its sponsors, its student speakers and poster presenters, and its 2024 Geotechnical Engineer of the Year for making this year’s Student Night such a terrific event. We’re already looking forward to the next one!
2025 Student Night Bar Sponsor
2025 Student Night Attendance Sponsors
Proudly powered by WordPress