The Institution for the Advancement of Engineering (IAE) has named Williams, a senior, as one of four "2003 Outstanding Student" in Southern California.

"Eric exemplifies the qualities that can be found in our top engineering students," said Sharlene Katz, professor of electrical engineering and special assistant to the dean of the college. "He has maintained an outstanding grade point average while working part-time and volunteering as a tutor here in the college. I'm confident Eric will follow in the footsteps of our most successful Cal State Northridge alumni."

The IAE invited 36 universities in the western region to name their top students to be considered for the award. The finalists were narrowed down to 12 students representing such universities as El Camino College, Fullerton College, Pasadena City College, Cal State Polytechnic University, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Northridge, Loyola Marymount University, University of California Irvine, UCLA and USC.

Three members of IAE interviewed the final twelve before selecting Williams as one of the four outstanding students.

Williams graduated in the top one percent of his high school class. While at CSUN, he has been a recipient of a Dean¹s Scholar Award, the George Harness Memorial Scholarship and the U.S. Marine Corp Scholastic Excellence award. Williams has been on the dean¹s list every semester and will be graduating May 28. He is also a member of the Institute for Electrical and Electrical Engineers.

The IAE is a professional umbrella organization with more than 20,000 members, established in 1967 to promote, recognize and publicize the engineering profession and achievements.