A former Iowa State student was chosen to win the Laureate Award from Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering society.

Heather Schafroth, who graduated from ISU in the spring of 1996, will receive the award and a $2,500 cash prize on Oct. 26 at the Tau Beta Pi’s national convention in Rapid City, S.D.

Schafroth said she was “thrilled” when she read the letter that verified her award.

“It’s a very prestigious award. It’s a great honor to win,” she said.

James Ruebel, Schafroth’s classical studies adviser, said Schafroth deserved and earned the award.

“She has been a terrific student for five years here,” Ruebel said.

The national award is given two to three times a year to recognize gifted engineering students who have excelled in their majors. Schafroth graduated with a 3.99 grade point average as a double major in chemical engineering and classical studies.

“The award honors diverse achievement. Tau Beta Pi promotes engineers being well-rounded,” Schafroth said.

Schafroth said the award is good for the engineering and classical studies programs at Iowa State and the people who helped her win the award.

Schafroth said Martin Jischke, Elizabeth Beck, Dick Seagrave, Dick Lamb, Eric Kelly, Ken Jolls and Ruebel all wrote letters of recommendation for her, helping her win the award.

Schafroth plans to pursue a doctoral degree at Princeton University. As for future employment, Schafroth said, “I’m keeping my options open.”

“One of the great things about chemical engineering is you can do so much with it, whether it’s business, academia or industry,” she said.

Since 1982, there have been 43 Laureate awards given to students. Schafroth is the third ISU student to receive the award.