It was a fitting exclamation point to their commencement exercises. In a surprise announcement at the end of the University's engineering graduation ceremonies in May 2009, Meghan J. Ahearn and Matthew J. Schaeffler were presented with the Robert Bradford Newman Student Medal for Merit in Architectural Acoustics. This national award recognizes excellence in the study of acoustics and its application to architecture.

This medal honors outstanding students at schools that teach acoustics throughout the world. Students selected for the Newman Medal must have demonstrated excellence in this discipline and in
the application of acoustical design principles in the course of their study.

Meghan and Matthew were honored for their work on an investigation of the just noticeable difference in the Clarity Index (C80) of concert halls, a parameter that describes how clear or defined music is in a performance hall.

The highly selective national award, administered by the Acoustical Society of America, is named for Robert B. Newman of BBN (Bolt, Beranek & Newman), one of the original key acoustical consulting companies in the United States.

Meghan graduated summa cum laude in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, majoring in Acoustical Engineering and Music. A native of Rutland, VT, Ms. Ahearn is currently an Acoustical Physical Scientist at the U.S. Department of Transportation in Boston.

Matthew also graduated summa cum laude in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, majoring in Acoustical Engineering and Music. Originally from Jericho, VT, Schaeffler is currently an acoustical engineer with Cerami & Associates, Inc. in New York City.