The ASME Auxiliary selected Elizabeth Diaz as the winner of the Allen James Baldwin Scholarship for the 2006–07 academic year. This $2,000 award is given to an ASME student member in the final year of undergraduate study.

Diaz was born in New Jersey and moved to Florida with her family at the age of 10. It was in Orlando that she first discovered her passion for technology when she rode the "E.T." ride at the Universal Studios theme park. The animatronics on the ride inspired Elizabeth to pursue a career in mechanical engineering and from that point on, she did everything possible to learn more about engineering in pursuit of her goal.

Elizabeth participated in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics competition in high school and subsequently entered the Florida Institute of Technology to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. She was married in her first year of college, and she and her husband, Karl, maintained a very active life in and out of school.

Elizabeth was an intern at Harris Corp. during her college years and participated in many other school activities. She was elected president of the Society of Women Engineers, vice chair of her ASME student section, treasurer of Pi Tau Sigma, and a member of Tau Beta Pi. Elizabeth participated in Northrop Grumman's 2006 Rube Goldberg Competition and led a team of 12 engineers on an innovative electric race car as a senior capstone design project.

Congratulations, Elizabeth, on your scholarship award and in your pursuit of excellence in mechanical engineering.

— Kathy E. Smith
Auxiliary publicity chair

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