Team Twelve

The team enjoyed working on a project with a local client. Having the WCWP nearby was an excellent asset, allowing the team to visit the plant as needed for first hand information.

Anna Boersma modeled the hydraulics of the plant and the pumping needs, while Mark Stehouwer focused on the chemistry of advanced oxidation processes. Mike Troupos specialized in ultraviolet disinfection treatment and safety concerns related to the project. Bonnie Robison also worked with Mike on ultraviolet disinfection research and design, as well as leading any structural and material aspects of the project and maintaining the website.

The team was advised first semester by Dr. David Wunder, and was advised second semester by Prof. Leonard DeRooy.

Anna Boersma will be graduating with a B.S.E. with a Civil & Environmental Concentration. She is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She interned two summers for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District where she learned about large-scale conveyance systems, wastewater treatment processes and the knowledge required to operate wastewater treatment plants. She is also involved in Calvin’s American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) chapter. She was the secretary her junior year and just finished her term as the chapter's president. After graduation, Anna will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to obtain her master’s degree in environmental engineering before beginning work for an engineering consulting firm. An aspect of civil engineering Anna enjoys is the funny, disgusted response she receives when she tells other she is interested in wastewater.

Bonnie Robison will be graduating with a B.S.E. with a Civil & Environmental Concentration. She grew up in Irvine in sunny Southern California, and sometimes still wonders why she came to school at a place with so much snow. Bonnie enjoyed the semester she spent in Amsterdam with Calvin's engineering program studying environmental history and water management in the Netherlands, and has also been happy to serve as secretary for the student chapter of the American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE) for the past year. For the past two years, she has worked with Dr. David Wunder at Calvin College conducting research on the adsorption capabilities of charcoal made from sugarcane bagasse so that this process eventually can be used in developing countries to treat drinking water. After graduating, she will be continuing her education at UC Davis to obtain a master's degree in environmental engineering, planning on focusing on water quality in natural systems.

Mark Stehouwer will be graduating with a B.S.E. with a Civil & Environmental Concentration. Coming from Kalamazoo, Michigan, he is very familiar with the West Michigan area and loves spending time outdoors on his bike and hiking beaches or nature trails. Mark is involved with multiple student organizations at Calvin College, serving as president for Calvin Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and vice president for Calvin’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Mark has been performing research with Dr. David Wunder for the past two years on the impacts of antibiotics on biological systems and the denitrification process. "Schmutzdecke” and “CFRABs" have become his favorite two research words to use around. After graduation, Mark will be pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin, focusing on emerging water contaminants.

Mike Troupos will be graduating in the spring with a B.S.E. with a Civil & Environmental Concentration. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, but has spent the last 10 years in Grand Rapids. Mike has worked for the Plainfield Township Water Department and the Kent County Drain Commission, but currently works for the Calvin Energy Recovery Fund (CERF) program at Calvin College. He is also active with Calvin clubs, serving as the treasurer of both the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Renewable Energy Organization (REO). When Mike is not hard at work for school or his job, he enjoys biking, backpacking, reading, and dumpster diving (yes, it's legal, and there are plenty of useful things that are thrown away). After graduation, he will be working as a consulting energy engineer with Midwest Energy Group in Hudsonville, Michigan.