TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Anderson G. Renaud, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, was recently awarded the Record scholarship from Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society. This academic scholarship recognizes Renaud’s academic success, campus leadership and service, and promise of future contributions to the engineering profession.

Of the 293 applicants, only 135 undergraduate seniors were selected to receive scholarships for the 2007-08 academic year. Each scholarship recipient received a cash award of $2,000 for his or her senior year of engineering study. All scholars are members of Tau Beta Pi.

In addition to this honor, Renaud, a Florence native, is a recipient of the E. Wayne Scholarship from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and is a member of several honor societies, including Pi Tau Sigma mechanical engineering honor society, Cardinal Key and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Renaud also serves as treasurer of the Society of Automotive Engineers and president of Alabama Crew.

For the past two years, Renaud has worked at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance. He served as a process engineer and aided in mechanical and electrical installations of various equipment.

Renaud hopes to pursue a career in the energy industry and is planning a summer internship with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Tau Beta Pi is the national engineering honor society, founded at Lehigh University in 1885. It has collegiate chapters at 232 engineering colleges in the United States and active alumnus chapters in 18 cities. It has initiated more than 490,000 members in its 122-year history and is the world’s largest engineering society.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has about 1,900 students and nearly 100 faculty. In the last seven years, students in the College have been named USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater scholars, Hollings scholars and Portz scholars.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state’s economy, is in keeping with UA’s vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state’s flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.