Clemson University announced its Fall 2023 Outstanding Packaging Science Senior Award winners: Sarah Lynskey and Leah Severance. Both students excelled through internships, sustainability projects, and leadership in packaging science.
- Sarah Lynskey won the Robert Testin Outstanding Senior award, completing three semesters as Packaging Science Club Vice President and interning at Sonoco, Pregis, and Newell Brands
- Leah Severance received the Packaging World Outstanding Senior award and is pursuing sustainable materials through co-ops with Colgate-Palmolive and Hill's Pet Nutrition
- Both award winners engaged in practical experience including packaging life cycle analysis, zero-waste events, and manufacturing facility work
- The honorees completed multiple internships and co-ops with leading packaging companies before graduation
- Both students demonstrated commitment to sustainability and industry leadership through conference attendance and special projects
Sarah Lynskey, Clemson University Robert Testin Outstanding Senior in Packaging Science winner for Fall 2023
While at Clemson, Sarah Lynskey has been active in the Packaging Science Club, holding various executive board positions. She is currently in her third semester as Club Vice President and has enjoyed connecting with peers and industry professionals through this role. Academically, she engaged in creative projects like packaging life cycle analysis (LCA) studies, integrating post-consumer recycled content into blown films, planning zero-waste events, and volunteering for the Gameday Recycling Challenge. She also interned for the past three semesters in the Prototyping Lab at The Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics on campus.
Outside of class, she was a student co-director for the 2023 Packaging Jamboree and assisted in planning the 2023 Sonoco Fresh Summit reception. In 2022, she completed a co-op as an eCommerce and Environmental Impact Intern at Pregis in Naperville, Ill. Most recently, she spent her summer at Newell Brands as a packaging engineer Iintern in Huntersville, N.C.
Following graduation, she plans to return to the Newell Brands packaging team. She is very appreciative for the time and resources the Clemson Packaging faculty have invested in her to help her achieve her goals.
Leah Severance, Packaging World Outstanding Packaging Science Senior winner for Fall 2023
Leah Severance is majoring in Packaging Science with a minor in Sustainability. She plans to graduate in December of 2023. Throughout her time at Clemson University, Leah has taken advantage of various opportunities, from the Sonoco Fresh Summit to PACK EXPO to studying abroad. In Fall 2021, she completed her first co-op with Colgate-Palmolive, working in a manufacturing facility and seeing production firsthand. In Spring 2023, Leah completed a second co-op with Hill’s Pet Nutrition on their R&D team. She shares that she plans to work on sustainable materials in the future and is currently involved with a special topics class studying compostable packaging. “I’ve really enjoyed my time with Clemson,” Severance says, “and I’m excited to see the program continue to grow.” PW
