IES Student Chapter

Illuminating Engineering Society: Student Chapter

The CU IES Chapter is a community committed to inspiring those interested in lighting by providing tools for career success and building a shared knowledge base, while promoting engagement with industry professionals and each other.

A group of students and professionals gather.

Activities

The CU IES Chapter holds a series of activities and events through the academic year.Ìý Regular bi-monthly meetings bring students together to learn and have a good time together. Guest speakers from various areas of industry often join our meetings. Â鶹ÒùÔº also travel to Denver to join the regional Rocky Mountain IES Section or attend local conferences or events like the Brilliance Awards. The chapter organizes tours to lighting product manufacturing companies and rep agencies.ÌýThrough the chapter students have opportunities to travel to national conferences such as Lightfair and Enlighten Americas.

In addition, the IES Student Chapter puts together a career fair to serve lighting and electrical students. Through this event, companies and students come together in an intimate but productive setting. IES Officers organize workshops to assist student members with resume and portfolio preparation.

IES Student Chapter Officers

Mary Grace Lehmkuhl

Hi! I’m Mary Grace Lehmkuhl and I am a senior studying Architectural Engineering, focusing in lighting and electrical design. I am passionate about creative lighting design and how it interconnects with the rest of the building systems. Lighting is so important for the health and wellness of communities, but for more reasons than simply having access to it. Sustainability is a pivotal part of building design and can exist throughout all systems including lighting and electrical. I am excited to continue to learn and grow as a designer, and as an IES officer this year!

Mary Grace Lehmkuhl Headshot

Max Henzl

Hey! I’m Max Henzl, a senior Architectural Engineering student. I’m excited to be part of the IES Student Chapter and to study lighting design since lighting is an integral part of our daily lives. I want to strive to create environments that’re interesting and aesthetically pleasing, not just functional. I’m drawn to the diverse opportunities within the lighting industry, from sales and manufacturing to engineering and design, all of which have unique challenges. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, lifting, snowboarding, and painting.

Max Henzl Headshot

Kenan File

Hello! My name is Kenan File, and I am a senior in Architectural Engineering with an emphasis in lighting design. I have found a passion for architectural lighting once I was introduced to light as a tool for design that can positively impact people in our built spaces. This passion was solidified from my internship with BEGA this summer in Santa Barbara, California. I saw that while the industry is small, it is diverse in ideas and opportunities. Outside of school, I love to travel, bike, ski, and recently learned to love surfing!

Kenan File Headshot

Julian Kotara

Hello! I'm Julian Kotara, and I'm a senior in Architectural Engineering. I'm excited to be an IES officer this year as I can continue to build professional connections andÌýshare my love of lighting design with others. I enjoy that lighting designs allow me to creatively work through lighting design iterations and then digitally implement them to produce captivating renders. When not busy with school, I enjoy getting outside to run or bike, play guitar, work on small personal projects, or read.Ìý

Julian Kotara Headshot

Grace Reyes

Grace Reyes is a senior Architectural Engineering student at CU Boulder with hands-on lighting and electrical design experience. Her interest in lighting began when she noticed how light influenced her own sense of comfort and focus in daily life. She designs for clarity and calm—creating spaces that feel intuitive, balanced, and supportive of the people who use them. Her work combines creativity with technical precision, drawing from both academic projects and her internship experience at AE Design in Denver, where she contributed to daylighting studies and real-world lighting installations

Grace Reyes Headshot

IES Retreat

IES Student Chapter Retreat

The CU IES Student Chapter is a tradition that dates back many years. Once a semester, we spend a weekend in the mountains to learn, hike, recharge, and commune with each other. We invite renowned industry lighting professionals to share their knowledge and wisdom in a relaxed setting.

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Notable Industry Guest Speakers:

Walter Beamer

Jeff Bentley

Teal Brogden

Bob Davis

DavidDiLaura

Larry French

Mark Harris

Karl Hass

Bob Hawkins

Chip Israel

Brian Klammer

Tody Lewis

Brent Protzman

Dane Sanders