Carnegie Mellon University
December 03, 2020

2020 Coach Award Winner

By Jen Potter

Daniel Myers, an MSE candidate, is the recipient of the 2020 Coach Award for Outstanding Citizenship and Leadership. The award was established in recognition of Dr. James E. “Coach” Tomayko, a teaching professor in Carnegie Mellon’s School of Computer Science and Director Emeritus of the Master of Software Engineering Program and has three categories: Outstanding Team, Outstanding Citizenship and Leadership, and Outstanding Teaching and Mentorship. Dr. Tomayko dedicated himself to the development of a rigorous, challenging, evolving, and industry-responsive graduate program in software engineering.

The Coach Award for Outstanding Citizenship and Leadership is awarded to a student who has contributed significantly to the MSE experience of his or her classmate. Such an individual exhibits outstanding leadership traits, volunteering for and taking on assignments beyond that which is expected. He or she is the consummate team player, exhibiting and promoting a positive attitude, excelling academically, and generally serving as a role model for other MSE students. Since its establishment in 2006, Daniel is the forth recipient of the Coach Award for Outstanding Citizenship and Leadership.

Travis Breaux, Program Director, commented, “Dan Myers routinely presents himself as a balanced, objective and informed member of the MSE community. His leadership was demonstrated during his membership on the MSE admissions committee, when the future cohort of MSE program students were under consideration, and during student recruitment, when Dan offered his personal experience to students facing relocation. Dan’s approach to engagement has attracted respect faculty, staff and his fellow students, and this award serves to recognize his talents.” 

It is our sincere pleasure to congratulate Dan and thank him for his effort and dedication to the MSE programs!

Daniel Myers | MSE ‘20

An active duty member of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Flight Lieutenant Daniel Myers supported the No 1 Squadron and No 6 Squadron and managed the 82 Wing workshops at RAAF Base Amberley, near Brisbane before joining the MSE. Upon graduation, Dan will return to Australia where he will conduct aviation software certification for the RAAF.

Dan distinguished himself in the MSE program by serving as a student representative on the 2021 admissions committee, displaying a positive attitude, and helping his project team to further develop the design and implementation of the ground control portion of the MoonRanger, a robot currently in development at the Robotics Institute.

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