When Lenna Abouzahr first started as a student in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, she felt overwhelmed and challenged, sometimes feeling she wasn’t smart enough.

Her faith in God and in herself, while also relying on her supporters and peers, has led her to adorn the orange gown during commencement as the outstanding graduate of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at Oklahoma State University in spring 2026.

“I was speechless when I first heard the news,” Abouzahr said. “I don’t do things with the hope or expectation of getting recognized, but I feel very honored and blessed to have been chosen from among so many qualified students.”

Each college at OSU selects an outstanding graduate to wear the orange gown each semester, honoring students who lead with academic achievement, leadership and involvement.

Born and raised in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Abouzahr is completing double majors in electrical engineering and computer engineering.

By being challenged, she discovered her ability to overcome obstacles, something she grew into as she progressed through CEAT.

“My perspective has changed now as a senior – now I think that if nothing challenges you, then nothing will change you,” Abouzahr said. “Being an ECE student has taught me the importance of excelling academically as well as the importance of having fun while learning! And the only thing more fun than designing circuits, programming and building other projects is doing it with friends, which I was lucky enough to find in many of my ECE classmates.”

During her time as a CEAT student, Abouzahr served in leadership roles with organizations such as the Society of Women Engineers and CEAT Student Council. She has also given tours of ENDEAVOR Lab and presentations about CEAT as a CEAT Student Ambassador, allowing her to showcase CEAT’s academic excellence with hundreds of people from across the country.

“I have been the recipient of great leadership, where leaders made me feel valued and like the work I was contributing was important,” Abouzahr said. “That is a key concept I try to emulate in my leadership style, because I believe leadership at its core is about serving and helping others discover how they can best use their strengths.

“There is always an opportunity to lead the way. Maybe it can be as simple as sharing tips with a struggling lab group or being the first person to ask a question in class. Maybe it’s a little more complicated, like leading a student organization of almost 100 members or coordinating the CEAT Career Fair (something I did in 2023). The point is that you don’t have to do anything groundbreaking to be a leader or trailblazer. If you are the kind of person who likes helping others, then just be yourself, and you will automatically be one.”

Throughout her time at OSU, Abouzahr has been a CEAT Scholar, W.W. Allen Scholar, Freshman Research Scholar, recipient of the Tau Beta Pi Scholarship Award, recipient of the Professionally Engineering the Future Scholarship and recipient of the Saint Patrick’s Scholarship. She has also achieved a 4.0 GPA while being on the President’s Honor Roll all four years, is a member of the Etta Kappa Nu Electrical Engineering Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi Honor Society and is a recipient of the Honors College Degree.

Abouzahr benefited from many mentors in CEAT, including Brenda Morales, manager of CEAT Prospective Student Services, Andrea Haken-Hughes, coordinator of CEAT Career Services and Kristal Soderstrom Junkins, her advisor.

“They have all been there for me since my freshman year, helping me grow both personally and professionally,” Abouzahr said. “Many of my TAs and professors also served as great mentors and helped me feel like I was capable enough and that I belonged in ECE.”

As her journey at OSU comes to a close, Abouzahr is set to intern at American Electric Power this summer before attending Cambridge University to start a master’s program in technology policy starting in fall 2026.

She was inspired to pursue engineering after Texas’ power grid was pushed to its limits in 2021. She has a career goal of working at the federal level to improve the regulation of the electrical power grid in the U.S.

As she departs OSU, she said it’s important for students to step out of their comfort zones, which provides true growth.

“Complete your work and projects with integrity, don’t be afraid to ask for help, be involved with student organizations, and try new things,” Abouzahr said. “Know that it’s okay to face difficulties, but it’s important to not give up and to not lose sight of your dreams.”

Abouzahr is grateful for the opportunities provided to her and hopes to give back to CEAT and OSU someday.

“My education is something I will never take for granted and I am thankful for all the support I have received,” she said.

Abouzahr’s journey reflects the spirit of the Cowboy Code with her commitment to integrity, hard work and service to others. Through academic excellence and leadership, she embodies what it means to be a Cowboy, carrying forward a legacy that extends far beyond Stillwater.