Lawrence Technological University’s College of Engineering celebrated National Engineers Week (Feb. 16-22) with a three-day series of events that showcased exciting career pathways, engaged local K-12 schools, and explored the future of advanced manufacturing.
Championing the celebration was Selin Arslan, Ph.D., associate dean for undergraduate programs at the College of Engineering. The events kicked off on Tuesday, Feb. 18, with a keynote address by LTU engineering alumna Victoria Gonzalez (née Pellerito), BSME’20, titled “Reaching for the Stars: My Journey from LTU to NASA.” The event drew LTU students, faculty, and staff, along with students from several local high schools.
Events Wednesday, Feb. 19 were all about high schools, with a High School Forum. The College of Engineering opened many of its two dozen laboratories for high school tours. Each department in the college—biomedical engineering, civil and architectural engineering, electrical and computer engineering, engineering technology, and mechanical, robotics, and industrial engineering—provided information on their programs. LTU’s Blue Devil Motorsports teams displayed their vehicles and talked about the opportunities for students to gain industry experience working on competition teams. Student engineering organizations like the Society of Women Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers provided exhibits and information. Also attending the event were members of FIRST Robotics high school teams that LTU is sponsoring.
The events wrapped up Thursday, Feb. 20, with an expert panel discussion on the future of advanced manufacturing in the United States, moderated by Oguz Toragay, assistant professor of industrial engineering. Panelists were Donna Bell, an engineering consultant who is a 1989 LTU electrical engineering graduate and current member of the LTU Board of Trustees; Anthony Kelso, a bachelor’s and master’s degree graduate from LTU who is an educator at General Motors’ Warren Tech Center and a veteran of a 33-year career in the auto industry; and Allen LeRoux, an application engineer at Stratasys Inc. who earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from LTU and who is currently pursuing an LTU MBA.
“Our National Engineers Week activities helped both current and potential future students see the exciting possibilities ahead in the many branches of the profession of engineering,” Arslan said.
By: Matt Roush
