Morgan La Sala, mechanical engineering major from Wayne, New Jersey, has been named salutatorian of the 2022 University of Notre Dame graduating class.
La Sala is a member of Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society and Pi Tau Sigma mechanical engineering honor society. She has been a standout member of the University’s Naval ROTC program, receiving a Naval ROTC scholarship, the Notre Dame Naval ROTC Leadership Award, the Chief of Naval Operations Distinguished Midshipman Award, and a USAA national scholarship.
As battalion commanding officer in the fall of 2021, she managed all operations, led more than 100 midshipmen, and was responsible for the development and execution of the unit’s strategic plan. She has served as a midshipmen mentor for incoming freshmen, battalion command master chief and battalion academics officer.
La Sala served as a teaching assistant for AME 20222 Dynamics—a class taught by aerospace and mechanical engineering teaching professor, Michael Seelinger. “Many students praised her ability to help them master the course content and expressed their gratitude for her patient and generous help,” said Seelinger.
La Sala tutored elementary and middle school students in math and reading at the Robinson Community Learning Center and was a four-year member of the University’s club field hockey team. After graduation, she will serve active duty as a commissioned ensign and begin her training to be a Navy pilot at flight school in Pensacola, Florida.
— Karla Cruise, College of Engineering