Campus Connection

Reilly Eiynck receives Murphy Award as top graduating senior 

Reilly Eiynck traveled halfway across the country to attend UW-La Crosse, but it didn’t take long for her to feel at home. 

Eiynck credits the knowledgeable and nurturing faculty, and the tight-knight relationships she built as a member of the women’s swim team, for helping her adjust to UWL after moving from her family’s home in Medford, Oregon.  

Over the past few years, Eiynck has done more than adjust — she has thrived, as evidenced by her selection for the Murphy Award for Academic Excellence, given each spring to the university’s top graduating senior.  

“My experience at UWL has overall been great,” says Eiynck, a chemistry major. “UWL has prepared me academically for my next steps but has also connected me to people who I will have in my life forever. My professors and coaches have been very supportive of me, pushing me to succeed in and out of the classroom.”

Drawn to UWL by the area’s natural beauty and the opportunity to swim competitively, Eiynck embraced both UWL and the La Crosse community. 

Along with her swim teammates, she has volunteered for Rotary Lights, the Salvation Army and the Polar Plunge, and at many UWL Athletics events.  

She has also served as a physics Star Guide the past two years, mentoring first-year students in physics. 

Eiynck has benefited from having her own mentor at UWL. 

Since her sophomore year, Eiynck has conducted undergraduate research with Sujat Sen, associate professor of chemistry. The pair has been using electrochemistry to convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into usable hydrocarbon fuels, such as propane — research with major implications in the pursuit for renewable energy and environmental sustainability. 

The work has also allowed Eiynck to become familiar with the ins and outs of scientific research, laying the foundation for graduate school. Eiynck plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry from Yale University, focusing on material chemistry research. 

“I believe that many of the great challenges of the world can be solved at the molecular level, such as curing cancer and developing renewable and sustainable energy sources,” says Eiynck, who presented her electrochemistry research at the American Chemical Society conference this spring. “I want to contribute to overcoming these challenges through research, specifically by developing new materials for energy, medical or electronic applications.” 

Sen says Eiynck has been a pleasure to work with over the past two years — a credit to her personal drive and scientific curiosity.  

“She is deeply self-motivated, remarkably organized and eager to tackle complex, interdisciplinary challenges,” Sen says. “These qualities make her especially well-prepared for a future in electrochemistry and materials science — fields critical to solving some of society’s most energy-related challenges. 

“I’m incredibly proud and excited for her as she begins graduate studies at Yale University later this year. I have no doubt she will continue to excel and make meaningful contributions to science.” 

Eiynck’s time on the swim team has been impactful as well. Apart from the competitive results — which include winning swim and dive conference championships in 2022 and 2025 — Eiynck has many fond memories of bonding with her teammates. 

“Being a part of the swim team has given me a strong community,” she says. “We support and push each other in the pool and in the classroom. Whether it is a tough practice or a stressful exam week, it is nice to know we are all pushing through together. It is difficult at times to balance being a student athlete, doing undergraduate research and prioritizing academics, but in the end, it has been very rewarding.” 

The Murphy Award — the highest honor a UWL graduating senior can receive — serves as an exclamation point to Eiynck’s undergraduate studies. It’s gratifying to be recognized for the time and effort she has put into her education, she says, but it’s also a credit to those who have helped her along the way. 

“I am grateful and honored to receive this award,” she says. “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication I have poured into my coursework the last four years. My professors and coaches have played a big part in my success in the classroom, giving me support, flexibility and encouragement. I cannot believe how fast my time at UWL has gone, and although I am sad to leave it behind, I am excited for the future!”