A former Whitmer High School valedictorian from Toledo, Payton Kamer promised herself that she would be open to new experiences when she arrived at The University of Toledo.
She has taken that promise very seriously.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS: UToledo recognizes the Class of 2023 with a series of stories featuring students receiving their degrees at fall commencement.
During Kamer’s time at UToledo, the chemical engineering student who is graduating Dec. 16, has lived in three states and traveled to four states and nine countries for academic and extracurricular opportunities.
“Being able to experience so many new places during the past 4.5 years has been invaluable for my development as an engineer and as a global citizen,” Kamer said. “When I began my first semester at UToledo, I could have never guessed all the non-technical skills I would gain from a UToledo engineering education.
“I am most proud of the unique and diverse opportunities I’ve been able to take advantage of as a Rocket Engineer. Things that once were unfamiliar and intimidating to me — like public speaking, domestic and international travel, leading professional events and being a student leader — are now some of my greatest strengths thanks to the experiences I’ve had at the UToledo College of Engineering.”
Involvement in student organizations also has been impactful as part of Kamer’s college experience, including a membership in the Roy and Marcia Armes Engineering Leadership Institute as well as Omega Chi Epsilon, Tau Beta Pi, AIChE, KLAR Leadership Academy, Freshman Interest Group mentoring and the Jesup Scott Honors College Ambassadors.
She also was involved in The University of Toledo Engineering Council for four years, serving as the president and student advisor.
“Serving the engineering student body and facilitating events within the college has been extremely rewarding and has taught me countless skills that I can apply to my career and my personal life,” Kamer said. “I could not be more thankful for the leadership experience and friendships that UTEC has given me over the years.”
During Payton Kamer’s time at UToledo, the chemical engineering student who is graduating Dec. 16, has lived in three states and traveled to nine countries for academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Kamer shared that the most influential faculty member has been Dr. Glenn Lipscomb, professor of chemical engineering.
“Dr. Lipscomb has been a fantastic mentor to me throughout my journey in undergraduate research over the past three years. My research under Dr. Lipscomb is on Mastery Learning in the Chemical Engineering Orientation course. Last year, my research was accepted for oral presentation at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ Annual Meeting for the Free Forum on Engineering Education. With the guidance and encouragement of Dr. Lipscomb, I was able to step out of my comfort zone to present my research in a roomful of chemical engineering Ph.D.s at a national conference, something I never imagined I’d end up doing when I started undergraduate research three years ago.”
Dr. Lipscomb said, “It has been such a great pleasure traveling with Payton through her undergraduate studies. She is an outstanding student, motivational leader and caring peer mentor. Our work on mastery learning will benefit those students who follow her in the chemical and environmental engineering programs.”
After graduation, Kamer will continue her master’s degree in chemical engineering- concentrated in Green Chemistry and Engineering, finishing in May 2024. She will then be relocating to Blaine, Washington, where she has accepted a full-time job as a process engineer at BP’s Cherry Point Refinery.
“UToledo’s College of Engineering has given me an affordable, enriching and comprehensive education, but my experience has been so much more than just earning a degree in chemical engineering. Thanks to the Presidential Scholarship and co-op, I’m graduating debt free. And because of student organizations, I’ll be leaving UToledo with many mentors and countless friendships, as well as a plethora of professional and personal skills that are sure to serve me throughout the rest of my life.
“Students considering becoming a Rocket Engineer should know that no matter your interests, there are opportunities for you to find community and grow as an engineer at UToledo.”
