Class of 2025: Sarah Powell

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering 

Sarah Powell will be the student speaker at the College of Engineering and Polymer Science spring 2025 Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10, at the James A. Rhodes Arena. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering.

Q: Why did you want to go to UA?

A: I ultimately enrolled in UA because my brother was going to school here, so I got to enjoy my freshman year with him on campus as well. I knew UA had an outstanding engineering program and I was offered amazing financial assistance--plus who doesn’t love Zippy?

Q: What campus activities were you involved in?

A:  I played clarinet in the University of Akron Marching Band my first two years. I was also in Engineering Student Council and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) my first two years. I have been a student employee for Residence Life and Housing for 3 ½ years, during which time I have been a community assistant, resident assistant and a student coordinator. As a student coordinator, I supervised student staff and oversaw two on-campus residence halls. I was a member and executive board officer for the Biomedical Engineering Society for five years. I completed three full-time co-op rotations for the company Revvity working in newborn screening instrumentation, and I also did undergraduate research in Dr. Ajay Mahajan’s lab working on a cochlear implant surgery training model for medical students.

Q: What campus honors or awards have you received?

A: I am honored to be a recipient of the 2025 A-Key Blue LIFE Award, as well as a 2025 College of Engineering Trajectory Award recipient. During senior design day, my team placed second in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. I am a recipient of the Army ROTC Reserve Officers Association Award and the Society of American Military Engineers Award. I have been on the Dean’s list five times and was a Williams Honors College Scholar.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I will be entering the workforce and seeking employment but also plan to pursue a master’s degree in the future.

Q: What is your favorite memory of UA?

A:  Quarantining at Quaker for a week was quite memorable. I also dressed up as a Rubik’s Cube one year for Halloween. I loved being at UA during the winter months when my friends and I used cardboard boxes to go sledding.

Q: What unique things should we know about you?

A:  I run the Akron squirrel Instagram page … surprise! I play Fortnite in my free time (zero build only) and I built my own PC. I’ve been to six national parks, one of those being Yellowstone -- twice. I grew up on a farm raising pigs, chickens, rabbits and goats, and tapping maple trees to make maple syrup!