2/13/2014 Lyanne Alfaro
Written by Lyanne Alfaro
"I remember going to the Knights' Ball after EOH, really not expecting too much, not knowing about Knights, and then seeing what a tremendous honor it was," Podgorny said. "I kind of wrote it down on my goal sheet: 'Before I graduate, I want to be a Knight of St. Patrick.'"
In his junior year, just three years after committing to his goal, Podgorny was announced as a 2014 Knight of St. Patrick.
"I’m extremely proud and honored to represent the Mechanical Engineering Department as well as Engineering Council and the Hoeft Technology & Management program," Podgorny said after receiving the news in late January.
On March 15, Podgorny will be one of 10 Knights of St. Patrick to be honored at the St. Patrick Ball, happening after EOH.
Established at the University of Illinois in 1950, the Knight of St. Patrick award is an annual and prestigious tradition. Every year, up to 15 College of Engineering students receive the honor for demonstrating leadership, excellence in character, and making significant contributions to the college and their peers.
"It’s something that validates my pride for the College of Engineering," Podgorny said. "And it really justifies all the hard work I’ve put in to make my department proud, make my family proud, and shows that I’ve accomplished a lot during my time here on campus."
During his time at MechSE, Podgorny has engaged with diverse groups and devoted time for the betterment of the College of Engineering. Today, he serves as director for the EOH Central Committee, which he joined his freshman year. He sits on the Engineering Council’s executive board, which he became a part of during his sophomore year. He is also Head Engineering Learning Assistant (ELA) for Engineering 100 after serving as ELA in the past.
Recently, Podgorny took on new responsibilities as well. He now acts as co-chair for MechSE’s Student Society Leader board and partnered with 2014 Knight Matt Condon to found the Mechanical Engineering Student Advancement Committee.
While Podgorny acknowledges the time and work he has dedicated to the College of Engineering in the past three years, he credits his success in part to the people who inspired him along the way.
"Being in the exclusive company of these other Knights is a real honor," Podgorny said. "Looking at my past, the people who have influenced me throughout my college career, they all, for the most part, have been a part of the Knights of St. Patrick."
To the freshmen in engineering aspiring to be a Knight someday, Podgorny has a few words of advice.
"Take risks because you only regret the things that you don’t do," Podgorny said. "I’ve been a yes-man a lot of my career at the University of Illinois. If I found that there was an opportunity to better myself, the college, or the department, I always wanted to quickly jump at that. This is an opportunity, when you’re at college, to learn from your mistakes. I think that’s a really good way to improve yourself and your team skills, at a pretty low cost."