Andrew Kraus

2008-2009 President

I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  After graduating from Catholic Central High School, I came to Michigan State intent on choosing an engineering discipline.  After exploring chemical
engineering from an academic and research standpoint, I knew it was for me.  The breadth of work being done by chemical engineers in the academic and industrial worlds was fascinating to me and definitely
something I wanted to be a part of.

I became involved in AIChE as a freshman by attending a few meetings and exploring what it meant to be a chemical engineer, and very importantly, a chemical engineering student.  I have been a board
member for the last two years as a Symposium Day co-chair, before taking on the role of President in my fourth year.

My study abroad experience living on the beach in Sydney, Australia was definitely one of the greatest experiences of my life, allowing me to explore a foreign culture, a beautiful country, and myself.
However, this experience has forced me to stay at MSU for a fifth year next year.  A year is a small price to pay for a lifetimes worth of memories.

My work experience has been entirely laboratory based.  I have worked in the Environmental Analytical Laboratory at Prein & Newhof in Grand Rapids, as well as in research laboratories at MSU, the Van Andel
Institute, and at the University of Arizona.

I have three pieces of advice for any underclassmen who might happen upon this bio: 1. Get involved with a student organization early.  It will help you understand why you are studying what you are, help you
meet upperclassmen who are going through what you soon will be, and will set you up nicely for a board position, which is a great opportunity on many levels. 2. Study abroad. 3. Don't ask a girl to go
to Qdoba with you and your coupon for a first date.

Contact: krausand@msu.edu