TheEngineeringQuarterlywasinaugurated intheFallof2018and ispublishedfourtimes eachyear.Ineachissue,wetrytoinclude articlesfromeachof theengineeringmajorsthatweoffer:ElectricalEngineering,MechanicalEngineering, CivilEngineering,ConstructionEngineering, EnvironmentalEngineering,ComputerScience,ComputerEngineering,andConstructionManagement.InthisissueoftheEQ wecongratulateouroutstandingseniorsand ouroutstandingstudentawardwinners,we presentourannualEmergingEngineersdesigncompetition,andweacknowledgeagenerousgiftwehavereceivedfromtheBobcat Company.Mostimportantly,weshowcase ourgraduatingclassof2024.Itisajoyousoccasionforustoseeourseniorsgraduateafter spendingfouryearsteachingthem,mentoring them,gettingtoknowthem,andbecoming friendswiththem.Itisexcitingtoseehow muchtheyhavechangedinthattimeandto seethemembarkonamazingcareers.Ispeak forallofthefacultywhenIsayhowproud weareofthesehardworkingandtalentedmen andwomen.Enjoy!
Dr.TerryPillingOUTSTANDING SENIORS
TheHammSchoolofEngineeringhadthree nomineesfortheUniversityofMary’sOutstandingSeniorAward.Thisyearournomineeswere
MayaWald
Mayahasshown excellentinterestinher scholasticpursuitshasbeen oneofthetop studentsinall ofhercourses. MayaisanexcellentComputerScientist andisalways attentiveinclass.Sheisreceptivetonew ideas,dedicatedtoherassignments.When askedtopresenthersolutionsinclass,she standsinfrontoftheclasswithconfidence, clearsteps,andwithjoy.Inherresearch, shewasalwaystimely,promptandtalented. Mayaovercameallresearchchallengesand difficultieswithcreativityandsteadfastness andasmileonherface.Mayaalwayscarriesacontagiouspositiveenergyaroundher andherpeers.Allofherprofessorsagree thatMayaisapersonwithextremelyhigh comprehendingandanalyzingcapabilities,
andhighlymotivatedtolearnsomethingnew. Mayapossesshighlevelsofmoralandethicalstandards,self-confidence,technological skills,andisalwaysmotivatedtotakeupnew challenges.Withfullconfidenceinherabilities.MayahascompletedinternshipsatNISC inMandanandplanstobeginhercareerthere upongraduation.WewishMayaallthebest inherfutureendeavorsandwehopetoseeher returneachyeartovisitusduringourannual alumnievents!
MikaylaBrackin
Wehavehad thepleasure ofknowing Mikaylasince Fallof2020 whenshebeganhercareeratUMary andthroughthe yearswehave seenhergrow intoacompetentengineer andagreatperson.Mikaylahasstoodoutin manywaysduringhertimeatUMary.First, sheisagoodstudentacademically.Sheis agreatstudentintheclassroomaswell,as sheisveryactiveindiscussionandasksgood andrelevantquestions.Beyondheracademic standing,MikaylaisamodelUMarystudent whowillcontinuetoexudethemoralcompassinstilledinherbyherUMaryeducation. Asastudent,Mikaylastandsoutinmany positiveways.AsMikaylawasasophomore, a“reverseclassroom”approachtoprofessorWaldenmaier’sGLG203EarthDynamics andGeophysicscoursewastaken,wherein studentsstudythematerialandthenpresentit totherestoftheclass.Mikaylavolunteered tobethefirstsessionforthisclass,which meantthatshehadalimitedtimetolearn thematerialandprepareapresentation.Prof. Waldenmaierwasveryimpressedatherinitiative!“Thisgo-getterattitudehasbeenshown inherotherclassesaswell.Ihaveseenit comeupinECI313GeneralSurveyingwith LabasaleaderinhergroupandinECI301 CivilMaterialsLabwheresheisactiveinmaterialpreparationandtesting.Ioftenseeher leadinghergroupsinothercoursesaswell,in particularduringgroupprojectspresentations andlabwork.”Inothercourses,sheisone ofthemoreactivestudentsintermsofclass roominteraction,allowingherpeerstolearn evenmoreduringeachclass.Shecontinually demonstrateshereagernesstolearnandgrow intoagoodengineer.Mikaylaisaperson ofstrongmoralcharacter,asshowninher communityinvolvementandschoolactivities. MikaylaisthecaptainoftheUMarySwimmingandDivingteam(JuniorandSenior yearcaptain)andcompetesinthreeevents; freestyle,breaststroke,andtheindividual medley.Inaddition,sheisaswimcoach forCenturyHighSchoolandacoachforthe developmentalswimmersoftheBismarck
clubteam,Aquastorm.Sheparticipatesin multiplebiblestudygroupsandisavolunteer atCorpusChristiChurch.SheisalsoavolunteerforavarietyofUMaryathleticsand StudentAthleteAdvisoryCommitteeevents, includingChuck-a-Puckathockeygames, servingconcessionsatbasketballgames,and sellingraffleticketsatfootballgames.She alsoassistswithavarietyofcharityactivities oncampus,likefooddrives,Backpacksfor Kids,andmentalhealthawarenessevents.We couldnotbeanymoreproudtobeapartof Mikayla’seducationandgrowthasanengineer.Sheisanupstandingstudent,standout studentathlete,andayoungwomanwhocares abouthercommunity.
KolbeRaiche
Kolbehasstood outinmany waysduringhis timeatUMary. First,heisan excellentstudentacademically.Heisa greatstudentin theclassroom aswell,ashe isveryactivein discussionandasksgoodandrelevantquestions.Beyondhisacademicstanding,Kolbe isamodelUMarystudentwhowillcontinue toexudethemoralcompassinstilledinhim byhisUMaryeducation.Kolbehasbeenan activememberoftheKnightsofColumbus UMarychapter,participatinginmanyservice activitiesovertheyears.Hehasparticipated intheDayofServiceforall4yearsofhis collegecareer.HeisalsoanactivememberinintramuralsatUMary,mostnotably throughvolleyball.InadditiontohisactivitieswithinUMary,Kolbehasalsobuiltcommunitymountainbiketrailsinhishometown inMichigan.Lastly,Kolbeisthefounderand primaryoperatorofDeckDudes,adeckconstructionbusinessbasedoutofBismarck.His futureplansinvolveexpandinghisdeckbusinesstowardsmodularhomebuilds.Hestates, “Overthenextwinter,theplanistocontinue tocollaboratewithasmallnetworkofinvestors,builders,andengineerstobringmodularhomeconstructiontoBismarck,North Dakota.Withtherisingcostofhomes,the goalistoproduceahousethatisaffordable, appreciatesovertime,andquicktobuild.”
OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS
EveryyearthefacultyoftheHamm SchoolofEngineeringselectsstudentsfrom eachofourmajorstoreceivetheOutstandingStudentAwardsforthatyear.Theawards cangotostudentsofanyyearintheprogramandaregivenbasedonbothGPAaswell asotherpersonalqualitiesthatmakethese studentsgreatstudentsandexcellentservant
leaders.Itisagreathonortobearecipient oftheseplaques.Theawardsaregiventothe studentsduringanannualuniversity-wideceremonyalongwithawardsgivenbytheother schoolstotheirstudents.
ComputerScience
Thisyear’s recipientof theOutstandingStudentin ComputerScienceAwardis MatthewHassonfromSicklerville,New Jersey.Mattisa seniorwhohas demonstrated leadershipboth inandoutof theclassroom. MatthewservedasaComputerSciencetutor wherehewasrequiredtolearnadditionalmaterialinordertobepreparedforassistinghis fellowstudents.Congratulations,Matthew!
MechanicalEngineering
Thisyear’srecipientofthe Outstanding StudentinMechanicalEngineeringAward isArielArriaga fromHutto (HUT-OH), Texas.Ariel isagenerous heartedandintelligentmechanicalengineeringmajor. Sheisinvolvedintheinternationalstudents clubandisthestudentrepresentativeonthe MarathonPetroleumCommunityAdvisory Panel.Aftergraduationsheisconsidering pursuingopportunitiesthatwillallowherto traveltoexperienceengineeringinothercultures.Congratulations,Ariel!
ConstructionEngineering andConstruction Management
Thisyear’s recipientof theOutstandingStudentin Construction Engineering andConstructionManagementAwardis MarisaShiland (SHY-lend) fromSherman, Connecticut. Marisaisadistancerunnerfor thetrackand crosscountryteams,hasbeenplacedonthe NorthernSunAllAcademichonorslisttwice, andshecurrentlyworksforWSBEngineeringinBismarck.Marisawillgraduatewitha Bachelor’sofSciencedegreeinConstruction EngineeringinDecember.Congratulations, Marisa!
CivilEngineering
Thisyear’srecipientofthe Outstanding StudentinCivil Engineering AwardisKristineKalthoff fromAlbany, Minnesota. Kristineisa memberofthe CrossCountryandTrack Teams,has beento2nationalcross-countrychampionships,isa memberofVarsityCatholicandFOCUSDiscipleship,andisamemberofbiblestudiesfor bothTrackandcross-countryteams.Shewill workforBarrEngineeringthissummerasa structuralengineerintern.Congratulations, Kristine!
ElectricalEngineering
Thisyear’s recipientof theOutstandingStudent inElectricalEngineeringAward isMeganAchbach fromRapid City,South Dakota.Megan, whowillbe graduatingin December,has beenatopstudentthroughouthertimeattheUniversityof Mary.Herjoy,enthusiasmandcommitment toexcellenceareattractiveandinspiringto herclassmates.Congratulations,Megan!
2024ENGINEERING GRADUATES
MikaylaBrackin
MikaylaBrackin isfromBismarck, ND.“Ichose UMarybecauseI wantedtocontinue toswimwhilegettingmyengineeringdegreeandthe universityoffered mebothagreatengineeringprogram alongwithagreat swimmingopportunity.Stayingclosetomy familywasabonustoo.InhighschoolIreallyenjoyedmycalculusandphysicsclasses soIwasoriginallythinkingIwouldbecomea highschoolmathteacher.Iendedupchoosingengineeringbecauseduringmysenior yearofhighschoolmycalculusteachermentionedthathethoughtIcouldbegoodatit soIstartedtolookmoreintoengineeringand foundthatIcandoreallycoolthingsand stillbehelpingthecommunityaroundme. IchosecivilbecauseIcaninteractwiththe communitymoreandIjustthinkbuildings andbridgesarethecoolestthingtodesign.I havehadoneinternshipforthelasttwoyears withStantec.Ireallyenjoyedmytimeasan
internwithStantecsinceIgotoconnectwith manydifferentdesigngroupsandexplore variousaspectsofcivilengineering.Ireally enjoyBismarck,Ialwayshave!Theprofessorsherereallydocareaboutoursuccessin theclassroomandintoourprofessionallives. Theyhavealwaysmadeclassesengagingand provideuswiththeabilitiestobesuccessful. Myfavoritememoryfromclasswasbuilding papertrussbridgesandhavingDr.Garciado apulluponourgroupsbridge!Iwillstart workingfulltimeasatransportationdesign engineerwithStantecthissummer!
DaltonBruce
DaltonBrucewas bornandraised inBismarck,ND.
“Myreasonsfor comingtoUMary wereacombinationofscholarshipopportunities andthatIcould commuteandsave moneybynothavingtoliveinadorm.I’vealwayshada yearningtohelppeople.EarlierinmyeducationI’dconsideredphysicaltherapyor chiropracticfields,andbeforethat,meteorology.However,whenIgottomylatereducation,IrealizedIhadagreatloveofmathand problemsolving.WhenIthendidsomedigging(punintended)onthedifferentfieldsof engineering,Irealizedcivilsoundedthemost funtome,anditturnsoutIwasright(civilis best;)).”“Ispenttwosummersworkingfor BraunIntertec,whichwasatoughposition totakeon.Iworkedverylatenightssometimes(7pm-7am),14-16hourdayssometimes,andsomeveryearlymornings(waking upat3:15amwasanexperience).Allthebad stuffaside,Igotalotoffieldexperience,Igot abunchofcertificationsthathavefollowed meintotheprofessionalworld,andI’vemade alotofconnectionsintheprofessionalworld throughBraun’sstaff,clients,andcontractors.MyfavoriteexperienceatBraunwas travelingtoKansasCitytohelptheirsoillab. Ibasicallygotpaidtogosomewherenew, andIgottovisittheWWImuseumduring mytimethere.”“NorthDakota,andspecifically,BismarckwillALWAYSbemyhome. Ithasitsproblems,sure,butsodoeseverywhereelse.ThethingsthatBismarcklacks (likeanadequateamountoftrees)makesme cherishthemmorewhenIgosomewherethat hasthem(likethetwincitiesarea).Ifeel thatwhileslightlytooconservativeformy blood,andthewintersheretypicallysuck,I willneverloveaplacemorethanBismarck.” “OverallIgotalongverywellwithmyprofessors.Intermsoffunnystories,itdepends ontheprofessor.WithWaldenmaier,there’s toomanytoevendothatmanjustice.Eric (wewishhimthebest)wasalwayshelpful andwasn’tafraidtolaughatmyfrustration withclassmaterial,whichIfoundhilarious. ThelastprofessorofnotewouldbeDr.Bob, whocasuallyansweredaquestionaboutFinalFantasyIVsocasuallyitwasasifIwas askinghimhowtobreathe.”“Rightnowmy goalistocontinueworkingmyhardestfor ShortElliottHendrickson,andshowthem thatUMaryengineeringisworthitssalt.I’ve justgottenmyEITcertificationforthestate
ofND,andIplanonpursuingmyPElicense inthecomingyears.”
SarahCarlson
SarahCarlsonis originallyfrom Willmar,Minnesota.“Iwas originallylookingatUMaryfor thenursingprogramandchanged tomatheducation myfreshmanyear andfinallytoengineeringmysophomore year.Ichoseengineeringbecausemyfriends andfamilyrecommended.ItakeanengineeringclasstoseeifIlikeditandIendedupin civilengineeringbecausethesummerbefore Icametoschool,Iwasaflaggerforaroad constructioncompanyandIfounditinteresting.Ididthreesummersofinternshipsata smallcivilengineeringfirminmyhometown calledBolligEngineering.Duringmylast yearatschool,IstartedinterningforBartlett &Westbeforestartingatfulltimeaftergraduation.IreallyenjoyBismarckandNorth Dakota.ComingfromMinnesota,Iwasalreadyaccustomedtotheweather,however, Ilovethesizeofthetown.Ireallyenjoyed myprofessors.Ihadalotofnewprofessors, soitwasagreatlearning/growthexperience. Aftergraduation,IplantostayinBismarck andworkforBartlett&WestintheirWater ResourceDepartment.”
MayaWaldis originallyMinot, ND.“Idecidedto cometoUMary becauseIvalue aCatholiceducationanditwasthe perfectdistance fromhome.Iwas alsoexcitedabout theopportunities withinthenewengineeringschool.Ichose engineeringbecauseIhavealwaysknownthat Iwantedtostudymathinsomecapacity.For awhile,IthoughtthatmeantIwantedtoget adegreeinmathematicsbutwhensearching forjobsavailableinthatfieldnothingcaught myeye.OnceIrealizedthatIcouldstudy amorepracticalapplicationofmathematics inengineering,Iknewthatwasthedirection Iwantedtogo.IthinkIdecidedtostudy ComputerScienceinparticularbecauseof theeaseofintegratingacreativeaspecttothe workIwouldbedoing.Ialsohavemany familymembersinthecomputerscienceand engineeringfieldthatinspiredme.Icurrently haveaninternshipwithNISCthatIstartedin Mayof2023whereIhavebeenworkingin softwareandwebdevelopment.NorthDakota hasalwaysbeenhometomeandIthinkitis agreatplacetolive.Bismarckspecifically isagreatplacetostartacareerandisfull ofopportunities.IlovethestrongCatholic communityBismarckhasandamexcitedto livehereaftergraduation.Ihavehadagreat experiencewithallmyprofessorsattheUniversityofMaryandcouldalwaystellhow muchtheyreallycaredabouttheirstudents andwantedustosucceed.Theprofessors madeiteasytolearnandIappreciatedhow
oftenwediscussedthepracticalapplication ofthetopicswestudied.Ialwaysenjoyed theEngineeringDataAnalysislectureswith ProfessorWaldenmaierbecausethejokeshe sprinkledinneverfailedtomakemelaugh. Followinggraduation,myinternshipwith NISCwilltransitionintoafull-timejob!I willbeworkinginwebdevelopmentandI amveryexcitedtoseewheremycareerwith NISCgoesinthefuture.
AllanaSchaefer
AllanaSchaefer isoriginallyfrom Monticello,MN.
“Idecidedtocome toUMarybecause IwenttopublicschoolgrowingupandIreallystruggledto makefriendswho supportedmeand whatIbelievein,soIknewIwantedtogoto aCatholicschoolthatwasCatholicinname andinpractice.ItouredabunchofCatholic schoolsandallofthemhadahighpricetag withoutapracticaldegreetohelpmakethe moneyback,thenIfoundUMary.IwassuperimpressedwithUMary’scommitmentto givingawell-roundedliberalartsCatholic educationwhilepreparingstudentsforthe workforce,andalowpricetag,andthereal sellerwasMassoncampus.Ijustknewthat UMarywaswhereGodwantedmetobe.I honestlyendedupinengineeringonawhim. Ialwayslikedmathandproblemsolving,so someonesuggestedtryingengineering.Asfar asendingupinCivil,Dr.Kellytentatively placedmeasCivilduringSOARandIended uplikingit.So,thankyouDr.Kelly.Ihad oneinternshipthesummerafterJunioryear withtheGeotechnicaldepartmentoftheNDDOT.Itwasawesome.ThepeopleattheDOT areawesome.Ialsolovethatthestatevalues work/lifebalance,andtheycan’taffordtopay youovertimesoyouareguaranteeda40hr workweek!And,mostimportantly,Ilike dirtandroads.IthinkBismarckandNorth Dakotaareseverelyunderrated.IthinkNorth DakotaisoneofthemostbeautifulstatesI haveeverseen,especiallyfromtheUMary hill.IalsolovethecommunityinBismarck. EveryoneinNDisactuallyniceandactually caresaboutYOU.MN‘nice’isjustpassive aggressionsemi-disguisedasniceness.Ilove thecommunityinBismarckaswell.Itaught swimlessonsattheYforthreeofmyyears atUMary,andallofmyswimlessonparents havebeensoencouragingandawealthof knowledgetotherandomyoungadultteachingtheirkids.OverallIlikedmyprofessors, eventheliberalartsprofessorsthatgetabad rapinengineeringbecausetheymakeusread. Ican’trecallanyspecificfunnystories,but anyclasswithProfessorWaldenmaierisgoingtobeahootandahalf,andanyclassthat Dr.EricGarciataughtyoucouldcatchhim playingairbasketballwhilewedidproblems ontheboard.Iamcurrentlyhiredasa‘full time’TransportationEngineerIintheDesign sectionattheDOTdoingguardrail.During school‘fulltime’is20hrsaweektobegin actualfulltimepost-graduation.Aftermy husbandandImakeenoughmoneybeingengineerswewanttostartahobbyfarmwith
vegetables,andchickens,andgoats,andbees, andmostimportantly,ourkids.”
HeidiCurtinis originallyfrom Brainerd,MN.“I chosetocometo UMarybecauseof theawesomefaith culturethatIexperiencedwhile touring.Iwasalso attractedtotheopportunitytoplayontheTennisteam,inwhich Ididforthreeyears.IchoseEngineering simplybecauseIfoundmathandscience interestinginhighschool.Ilaterlearned moreaboutthedifferentdisciplinesandCivil drewmyattention.Ienjoyedthewaterresourcesclassesalongwithtransportationand pavementdesign.Ididtwointernshipswith Bartlett&West.Ienjoyedworkingwiththe peoplethereandIfeltlikeIlearnedalot abouthowengineeringfirmswork.Thiswas veryhelpfulinunderstandingmoreinwhatI willbedoingasacareeraftergraduation.I loveBismarck,ND!Growingupinnorthern Minnesota,Bismarckisnotverydifferent.I liketheUMaryculturethatIseeallthroughoutBismarck,ithasbecomemynewhome.”
“Ithinkmyprofessorsweregreat.Iwasterrifiedofcollegeprofessorsbeforecomingto collegebut,Ifoundquicklythatusstudents wouldlearntoloveourprofessors.Ican’t thinkofanyspecificstory,butIknowIlaugh everyclassperiodwithProfessorWaldenmaierwithhiscommentaryonhisownnotes. IhaveacceptedapositionatBartlett&West intheWaterResourcesTeam.Myhusband andIwillalsobelearninghowtobeparents aswearewelcomingababyinSeptember! Thesetwowillkeepmeplentybusy!
MatthewHasson
MatthewHasson isoriginallyfrom Sicklerville,NJ. “Iwantedtocome toUMarybecause ofthefamilythat Ihaveuphere, andthestrong Catholiccommunityoncampus. I’mincomputer science,andIchosecomputersciencebecauseIhavebeenafanoflogicpuzzlessince Iwasakid,andlovecomputerscienceforthe logicthatisrequiredtodowellinthefield. Istarteddoingbasicprogramminginjunior high,andneverlookedback.Iinternedforthe healthcarecompanyOptumlastsummerasa softwareengineeringinterninBaskingRidge, NJ.GrowingupinNewJerseywasnicebutit alwaysfeltcrowded,soNorthDakotawasa welcomechangeofpace.Ilovehowopenand freeitfeels,whilestillhavinganicedowntownareainBismarck.”“Myprofessorswere great,anditwasalotoffunlearningfrom them,whetheritwasengineering,math,philosophy,ortheology.Ifeltlikemyclasses onlygotbetterasImovedthroughmydegree. OneofmyfavoritemomentswasinEmbeddedSystemslastyear,whenProf.Volkman mentionedthatwehadclassatthesametime theTwinswereabouttowintheirfirstplayoff
gamein20years,sowepulledthegameup onalaptopandwatchedthelastinningin class.”
“Lookingforward,Ihaveafull-timejoblined upwithOptumasasoftwareengineerinEden Prairie,MN,andwillbemovingtotheTwin Citiesthissummer.”
JosephCunningham
JosephCunninghamisoriginally fromSanDiego, CA.“Iappliedto UMaryjusttohumormyoldersisterwhowasalreadyastudent here.Icameupto visitheronceand fellinlovewith thecampus.Igot interestedinengineeringinhighschoolafter readingaboutthedevelopmentofaircraftduringtheColdWar.AftervisitingtheUMary engineeringprogramIknewIwasintheright field,anddecidedonmechanicalengineering. Ihadagreatexperiencecompletingaco-op asadesignengineerthroughBobcat.Ihave cometoreallyappreciatetheMid-Westand thepeoplehere,andwouldlovetostayinthe arealongterm.Ihavereallyappreciatedthe professorsandtheirdedicationtoconnecting withthestudents.Ihavebeenfortunateto connectwithsomefacultyoutsideofclasses, particularlysocialdancingskillsfromAJ.At thispointIintendtostayinBismarckfor afewyearsandthenlookelsewhereinthe Mid-West.
GavynSaileris originallyfrom Bismarck,North Dakota.“ThereasonthatIchose togotoTheUniversityofMary wasbecauseofthe jobthatIcurrently holdinBismarck. Iwantedtobeable togrowwithinthis companyaswellasgotoschooltogetmy degreeinConstructionManagementtogoon andfurthermycareerwithintheconstruction companythatIamcurrentlyemployedat. IchoseConstructionManagementbecause afterhighschoolIwasoriginallygoingto schooltobeanAuto-BodyTechnician,but beforeIwenttoschoolforthat,Iworked fortheconstructioncompanythatIcurrently workatasasummerjob.Aftergoingthrough bodyschoolandworkinginthebodyindustryforhalfayear,Ideicedthatwasmore ofahobbyformyself,thenwentbackand workedconstruction.DuringthatsummerI didnotknowwhatIwantedtodo,butIknew Iwantedtogobacktoschoolforsomething, andonedaymybossapproachedmeandsaid thatIshouldgogetadegreeinConstruction Management.Itjustsohappenedthatright upthehillfromouroffice/shopUMaryhad thatdegree,soIattendedthere.Ihavelived inBismarckforall22yearsofmylife,andI reallylikeitanddonotplantoleave.North DakotaisagreatplaceandneverplanonleavinguntilIretirewhichthatisstillupinthe
air,Ihaveacoupleyearstodecidethat.My plansasofnowforthefuturearetocontinue workingattheconstructioncompanyIam currentlyemployedatandhelpthemtobetter theirworkandofficestrategiesandoneday iftheopportunitypresentsitself,purchasethe companyandrunthecompany.”
JosephineBowden
JosephineBowden isfromFargoND. “IchoseUMary becauseitwas closeenoughto homeandIliked theideaofsmaller classsizes.I’ve alwayswanted toworkwithmy handsandenjoyedthephysicalsciences.I choseMechanicalengineeringaftermyfreshmanyearafterbeingintroducedtothedifferentdisciplinesandmechanicaljustseemedto stick.IinternedwithProtosthetics,acompanythat3Dprintslowerlimbprosthetic sockets,orthotics,andvariousbraces.Bismarckiscoldandwindy,especiallyupon thehill.Ithinktheengineeringprofessors atMaryaregreat.AftergraduationIhave anopportunityasaserviceengineerlinedup withBabcockandWilcox”
EvanCarroll
EvanCarroll comesfromChamplin,Minnesota.
“IcametoUMary fortheCatholic communityand agreateducation andIchoseengineeringsinceI lovesolvingproblems.IdidaninternshipwithCloverdaleMeatsinMandan andIgotexperiencewithbothmechanicalengineeringandprocess/industrialengineering. IlovetheBismarckareaanddon’tplanon leavinganytimesoon.Allofmyprofessors aregreatmentorsandhaveheldasubstantial roleinmysuccessesasanengineeringgraduate.Ihaveafewpotentialjobopportunities linedup,I’mjustunsurewhereIwanttoend up!”
BrennaJones
BrennaisoriginallyfromChaska, MNwhichis about30minutes fromMinneapolis. “Idecidedtocome toUMarysinceit allowedmetoattendauniversity withagreatengineeringprogramandhavemoreindividualizedlearning.AnotherfactoristhattheUniversityofMaryisCatholic.Inhighschool, Ididroboticsandenjoyedthedesignprocess.Ialsoenjoyproblem-solvingandbeing creative.Ihavemathematicalskills,logical thinking,andgreatattentiontodetail.These ledmetothinkaboutgoingtocollegeforMechanicalEngineering.BetweenmyJuniorand Senioryears,IinternedatEmersonasaTest EngineeringIntern.Ihadalotoffunworking andcommunicatingwithotherswhilelearn-
ingmoreaboutengineeringinaprofessional engineeringenvironment.IlikeBismarckand NorthDakotaasawhole.Ithasbeenagreat placetoattendcollegeandI’vemademany friendsandmemoriesherethatIamgratefulfor.I’veenjoyedhavingclasseswithmy professorshere.Sinceclassesaresmall,I’ve hadgreatopportunitiestolearnmorefrom professors.Onetimewhenweweredoing problemsonthewhiteboardforSystemDynamics,JosephineandConnorweredebating whatthenextstepintheprocesstosolvethe problemwas.AJtheneggedthemonand said,“Fight,fight,fight!”.Iamplanningon movingbacktoMinnesotaandstartingmy career.Iamstilllookingforajob,butIam hopingtojoinacompanywhereIcangrow andlearnalot.”
GuillermoFregoso
GuillermoFregoso isoriginallyfrom Idaho.“Themain thingthatattracted metoUMary wastheConstructionManagementprogram.I choseConstructionManagement becauseI’vealwaysworkedonajobsiteandIlearnedto loveit.WhileatUMary,Ididaninternship attheNDDepartmentofCommerce.One ofthethingsIlikeaboutBismarckisthatit hassomeofthemostamazingsummers.I reallyenjoyedallofmyprofessors,theywere allabletorelatetomeinsomeway.Inthe futureIwilleithertakeafulltimepositionat theNDDepartmentofCommerceorexplore otheroptionsbackinIdaho.
BryanBiver
BryanBiveris fromFargo,ND.
“Idecidedtocome toUMarybecause oftheCatholicbeliefsinstilledin theuniversityespeciallyandbecauseofthesmall ratioofstudents tofaculty.This allowedmetoconnectwithmyprofessors moreandlearnbetterbecauseIcouldspeak withthemmoreeasily.Ichoseengineering becauseIhavealwaysbeeninterestedinthe workingsofthingsfromcarsandtrucks,to dirtbikesandjetskis,aswellastheelectronicsinvolvedinthoseitems.Ienjoyedwiring differentthingssuchasarobotImadeforthe 5thgradesciencefairandwasthepresident oftherocketryclubatmyhighschooland loveddesigningandlaunchingthoserockets. IalsoenjoyedplayingwithelectronicsasI wasyoungandultimatelychoseelectricalengineeringbecauseofthat.Ihavenothadthe opportunitytodoanyinternshipsbecauseof myinvolvementwiththeAirNationalGuard, butIhaveworkedconstructionforDakota SeedingandErosionControlthelast3summerswhenIwasnotbusywiththemilitary. Asanelectricalengineerintraining,Iwasput inchargeofimplementingGPStechnology intoskidsteersanddozersandcreatedsome 3Dmodelsonprojectsinthefieldsavingthe
companytimeandresources.Igainedalot ofexperienceinoperatingskidsteers,excavators,andbulldozerswhileworkingthere. Whilethiswasn’taninternship,Ibelieveit wasavaluableopportunitythatwillhelpme inmyfuturecareer.Ihavealwayslivedin NorthDakota,butIstilllikethisstate.Ihad onlybeentoBismarckacoupleoftimeswhen Iwasyounger,butlivingherehasbeenamazing.Whiletherearen’tasmanythingstodo intownasthereisinFargo,therearealot morethingstodooutdoors.Therearemany activitiessurroundingtheMissouririver,you cangoboatingdowntheriverandvisitsandbars,havecampfiresandgodirtbikingdown atKimballBottoms,andthereisstillagood amountofthingstodointownaswell.Ihave hadalotoffungettingtoknowBismarck.I donothaveanyfunnystories,butIdidappreciatealloftheprofessorsthathelpedme. IfeelcomfortabletalkingtoallofmyprofessorsandtheyassistedmewheneverIneeded it.IamstillworkingonfuturejobsbutIhope togetajobintheconstructionoragricultureindustry,workingwithGPStechnology. AgricultureandConstructionaremakingsignificantprogressinthatworldandthereisa lotofmoneyinthattechnology.Iamalso veryinterestedinthosedifferentfieldssoI thinkIwouldreallyenjoythem.”
CollinGapen cametotheUniversityofMaryin 2020fromGilbert, Arizona.Collin isgraduatingin Spring2024with hisbachelorsdegreeinConstructionManagement.
StephanieBenavidesisoriginallyfromTampa, Florida.“Ifirst cameBismarck, NorthDakotain 2020tovisitfamilylivinghere. Thatsameyear,I appliedtotheUniversityofMary foritsstrongengineeringprogram.IchoseelectricalengineeringbecauseIhaveapassionforproblemsolvingandaninterestinunderstandingand manipulatingelectricalsystems.Duringmy timeattheUniversityofMary,Ididnothave aninternship.However,amidstmyacademic pursuits,Inavigatedsignificantlifeevents includinggettingmarriedandhavingababy, whichkeptmebusyoutsideofclasses.Iwas notpreparedforNorthDakota’scoldclimate, especiallycomingfromasnow-freebackground.ImisstheFloridaheatandeagerly anticipateamovetowarmerweatherafter graduation.Despitethelongwinters,Iappreciatedthesimplicityofsmall-townliving andthefriendlinessoftheNorthDakotaresidents.Igreatlyenjoyedtheclassestaught byDr.Kelly.Herprofoundmasteryofthe subjectssheteaches,coupledwithherexceptionalteachingabilities,greatlycontributedto
mylearningexperience.Beyondtheconfines oftheclassroom,Dr.Kellyhasservedasa sourceofinspiration,embodyingtheachievementsofafemaleengineersuccessfullybalancingacareerwithmotherhood.Iaspire toachievesimilarmilestonesinmyownlife. Inthefuture,Ihopetoworkasanelectrical engineerwithinareputableandestablished technologycorporation,suchasGoogleor Amazon.Iamactivelypursuingemployment opportunitiesnow.
KolbeRaiche
KolbeRaicheis originallyfrom IronMountain, Michigan.“The strongvaluesystemevidentinthe cultureofthisUniversitydrewmeto comeouttoNorth Dakotaandtheexcellentengineeringprogramcausedmetostay.Construction engineeringwasagoodfitasbuildingthings forotherpeoplebringsmealotofjoy.Knowinghowtosizebeams,columns,andother membersmakesthecreativepartsofabuildingpossible.Overthesummersbetween semestersatUMary,Idesignedandbuilt compositedecksforabout150customers. Myfavoritedeckwasrightonasmalllake. Duetothepoorsoilconditions,weusedhelicalpilestoproperlysupportthedeck.It wasaround2000squarefeetandtookabout 1monthtobuild.Thetopicscoveredinfoundations,soilmechanics,andphysicsclasses reallycameinhandywhendesigningthe project.Iusedtobesobotheredbythewind andcoldoverthewintershere.However, thebeautyduringthesummershasamazed me.TheInternationalPeaceGardensand TheodoreRooseveltNationalparkarestunningplacestospendtimeoverthesummer months...Nowthewinter’scoldbitesless deep.InENR200,IfailedtheLATEXtest.As Fr.Athanasiuswaspassingbackthetests,I walkeduptogetmine.Hesimplylookedme directlyintheeyes,andwithconvictionsaid, ‘Dobetter.’Thosewordshavestuckwith meforalongtimeandwhenevertherewere inevitablefailuresthatpoppedup,Ialways rememberedthosewordsofencouragement tocontinuetodobetter.Thissummer,I’ll continuetobuilddecks.Overthenextwinter, theplanistocontinuetocollaboratewitha smallnetworkofinvestors,builders,andengineerstobringmodularhomeconstruction toBismarck,NorthDakota.Withtherising costofhomes,thegoalistoproduceahouse thatisaffordable,appreciatesovertime,and quicktobuild.”
AndrewMerzis fromDelanoMN. “Idecidedtocome toUMarybecause itisanaffordable smallCatholic University.Ichose engineeringbecauseIenjoysolvingproblemsand creatingandI choseMechanicalEngineeringbecauseof
mybackgroundinfarmingandthebroadness ofopportunitiesgrantedbythedegree.Idid threeinternshipswhileIwasatUMary,ProductManagement,DesignCo-opandDesign InternSenior.AllofthemwerewithBobcat, lastedabout8months,andwereparttime duringtheschoolyear.Myfavoritewasthe designco-opasIgottospendalotmore timeonengineeringproblemsandwasgiven freereignonmanagingimportantprojects.” “IenjoyedmytimeinBismarckandgotto travelacoupletimestoTheodoreRoosevelt nationalparkwhichismyfavoritepartof NorthDakota.Ireallylikedmyprofessors andgrewespeciallyclosewithmyadvisorAJ whohelpedchoreographmyfirstdancefor mywedding.IplantostayinBismarckfor acoupleyearsatleastandworkasadesign engineeratBobcatwhereIhavebeenoffered afulltimejob.”
JohnSoupir
JohnSoupirisfrom Lucan,atinytown insouthwesternMinnesota.“Ichose UMarybecauseit wasagoodfitwith itsaffordabletuition, Catholicvalues,and smallclasses.Plus,it wascooltobepartof anewengineeringprogram.I’vealwaysenjoyedfiguringthings outandsolvingproblems,soengineeringwas aneasychoice.IchoseElectricalEngineeringbecauseIlovetinkeringwithelectronics andcomputers.IinternedatCrusoeEnergy, workingonreverseengineeringandhardwarehacking,andatBobcatintheembedded softwareteam.Crusoewasmyfavorite,but bothweregreatexperiences.Ireallylike Bismarck;it’stherightsizeforme,andthe wide-openspacesofNorthDakotaarejust amazing.Theengineeringprofessorshereare great-they’realwaysreadytohelpandhave taughtmesomuchinandoutofclass.I’m gratefulforeachofthem.I’llneverforget Dr.Kellyendingoursignalscoursebycalling AMradio“birdsonasnake”,orDr.Pilling preachingthesupremacyoftheVimeditor ineveryclass.I’mnowworkingasaplant engineerattheMinnkotaM.R.Youngstation.
JacobSchaefer
JacobSchaeferis originallyfrom DresserWI.“I decidedtocome toUMaryaftera closefamilyfriend stronglyrecommendedit.Ichose computerScience intheengineeringdepartmentbecauseofmybrother,whoisacomputerengineer.Hetaughtmealotofthebasicsand Ifellinlovewithcodingandsoftwaredevelopmentfromthere.Ihadtwoseparateinternshipswiththesamecompany,thatcompany beingNISC.ThefirstwasanITinternship thesummerbetweensophomoreandjunior year,thesecondwasasaprogrammingintern thispastsummer,whichwillbecomeafulltimepositionupongraduation.SafetosayI likedprogrammingmore.FirstyearIdisliked
NorthDakota,Imissedtrees,butnowbymy fourthyearhereI’vefalleninlovewiththe openskyandtheprairie.AsforBismarck, itisoneoftheonlycitiesIhaveeverliked. Igenerallylikedallmyprofessors,however, Idon’thaveanyfunstories.Myplanisto stayinBismarckwithmywife,andworkfor NISCasasoftwaredeveloper.
ConnorMurphy
ConnorMurphy cametotheUniversityofMaryto playfootball.“I wantedtodesign solutionstophysicalproblems.I knewengineering wouldgivemethe toolstosolveany numberofproblems.IchosemechanicalengineeringbecauseIfeltoftheengineeringdegreesavailablethishadthebroadestscope.IinternedatCloverdaleFoodsand workedbothasanengineeringinternand MaintenanceEngineer.Unlikemostuniversities,attheUniversityofMary,theprofessors areWANTINGtoworkwithyou.Finallyan engineer!”
ConnerPaulisfrom Billings,MT.“Icame toUMaryonascholarshipforathleticsand joinedtheengineeringprogram.Ihave wantedtobeanengineersinceIwas13 yearsold,Ichosemy particularfieldbecause Iwantedtotakeahalf andhalfroutesomethingwhereI’minthe officebutcanalsogotothejobsiteifIneeda breakfromtheoffice.IdidoneInternshipat KnifeRiverasaprojectmanager/costestimatorintern.Bismarckisaniceplacetobebut waytoowindy!Myprofessorswerealways willingtoworkwithmeandshareexperiencesthatcouldrelatetocurrentproblemsI had.CurrentlyIamworkingforEncoreElectricasaProjectEngineerandIamworking outofBelgrade,MT.”
AustinBarchenger
AustinBarchengeris fromMandan,ND.“I decidedtogotothe UniversityofMaryafterfirstgoingtoNDSU becauseIstruggled withthelargeclasses atNDSUandafterjust onesemesterfeltlike Marywasmuchmore personal.Ichoseengineeringbecausemydadwasaroundengineers andwasabletogivemeageneralideaofwhat engineersdo.Iendedupsettlingintocivilengineering.Ididafewdifferentinternships withtheDOTwithmylatestonebeinginthe BridgedivisionwhereIwasactuallyableto secureafulltimejobonceIgraduate.IabsolutelylovetheBismarckareaandcouldn’t seemyselflivinganywhereelse.Iverymuch enjoyedallofmyprofessors.Ihonestlyfelt liketheyknewmeandwantedmetosucceed
inanywaypossible.Irecentlyhavegotten engaged,andweplantoliveinBismarck. MyfiancéwenttoNDSUandcurrentlyworks forKLJinthemunicipaldepartment.Ialso wanttotakethisopportunitytothankevery professorintheengineeringschool.Ipersonallystruggledwiththeschoolworkaspect ofengineeringbeforecomingtoMarywhere ItrulyfeltwelcomeandfeltlikeIwasactuallysetupforsuccess.Dr.Waldenmaier endedupbeingmyadvisorwhocouldn’thave beenmorehelpfulthroughmyjourney.Itruly thinktheprogramissetupforsuccessand verymuchsolookingforwardtohelpingin anywaypossible.”
JasonStoddardtransferredtotheUniversityofMaryin2021to playfootball.Jasonis fromMountainView, Wyomingandisgraduatingwithadegreein ConstructionManagement.
EMERGING ENGINEERS
ByJERIKAHAYES
OnSaturday,March9,over100students, grades6through12,fromtheareaschools andhomeschoolorganizations,convergedon theUniversityofMaryHammSchoolofEngineeringforour EmergingEngineers event.
SponsoredbyBraunIntertec,theevent featuresanengineeringdesigncompetition wherethestudentsareplacedintogroups, givenaprojectandacollectionofcomponents,equipment,andtools.Theirgoalisto designandbuildtheirprojectandthencompetewithstudentsfromothergroupstosee whohasbuiltthemosteffectivedesign.
Theprojectthisyearwasaclawmachine. Thesearethemachinesthatareoftenfound atarcadesandrestaurantswhereyouneedto controlaclawandattempttopickupatoyand dropthetoyintoacontainer.Inthecommercialclawmachine,successwouldmeanthat yougetthetoy.IntheEmergingEngineers competitionthegoalisthecollectasmany toysasyoucaninatwominutetimeperiod.
Studentsworkedingroupsoffourorfiveand hadaccesstomaterials,tools,andevenadrill press!Thescoringwasbrokendownintotwo
parts,1)theirdocumentationastotheirdesign andanyadjustmentsand2)theirscoreinthe competition.
Everyonehadfundesigning,testing,building, andthencompeting.Wewereallimpressed withthestudentsandtheircreativeideason howtobuildandimprovetheirclaws.We lookforwardtonextyearandwehopetosee studentsreturningaswellasnewstudentsand schoolsrepresented.
NorthDakotaSocietyofProfessionalEngineers(NDSPE)Ch.3workedwiththeState BoardandNDGTSongettingthestationslist togetherforthetenstationscomprisingthis year’sactivities.
TheHammSchoolofEngineeringhadastationattheeventandengineeringstudents weretherewithmetogreetthekidsfromall agegroupsandshowthemthescienceandengineeringactivities.Wehavebeenpartofthe DiscoverEngineeringeventforthepasteight yearsrunningandwealwayslovetoseethe smilesonchildren’sfaceswhentheyexperiencethejoyofdiscovery.Thatjoyiswhywe allchoosecareersinengineering!
BOBCAT DONATION
BobcatCompanydonated$250,000tothe UniversityofMaryinBismarck,N.D.,insupportoftheHammSchoolofEngineering.
“SupportingSTEM-basededucationisa keycomponentofBobcat’sfoundationofinnovation–alongstandingbeliefthathasgeneratedcommunityprogressandfueledthecuriosityneededtobuildthetechnologyoftomorrow,”saidMikeBallweber,presidentof DoosanBobcatNorthAmerica.“Weare proudtosupportUniversityofMaryasthey advanceeducationalopportunitiesforthenext generationofgroundbreakingengineers.”
HeadquarteredinWestFargo,N.D.,Bobcatisthestate’slargestmanufactureranda majoremployerwithmorethan3,800North Dakota-basedemployeesatfacilitiesinBismarck,Gwinner,Fargo,WestFargo,and Wahpeton.
Bobcat’sdonationwillsupporttheengineeringschoolthroughtheUniversityofMary’s Vision2030CapitalCampaign,acomprehensivestrategicplanninginitiativetoenhance andtransformtheuniversitycampusandofferings.TheHammSchoolofEngineering
facilityopenedin2020andisstate-of-theartdesignedtoencouragecollaborationand hands-onlearning.TheschooloffersABET accrediteddegreesinMechanical,Electrical, andCivilEngineering.TheHammSchool ofEngineeringalsooffersComputerScience, EnvironmentalEngineering,ConstructionEngineering,andConstructionManagement.
“Weareextremelyhumbledandgrateful forthisgiftfromBobcatCompany,aninnovativeandindustryleaderthroughoutthe world,”saidJeromeRichter,executivevice presidentattheUniversityofMary,andthe personleadingtheVision2030CapitalCampaign.“WeappreciateBobcat’scontinued commitmenttoourHammSchoolofEngineeringstudents.Ourstudentsarehighly soughtafter,recruitedbyfirmswellbefore theygraduate,andnotonlyaretheytrained intechnicalskills,butalsowell-formedservantleaderswhoareculturallypreparedfor theworkplace.”
AsthelargestemployerofengineersinNorth Dakota,Bobcatunderstandsfirsthandthe tremendousneedrightnowforengineerslocally,regionallyandglobally.Datashows, 70%ofthestudentsintheHammSchoolof Engineeringarefromoutofstate,andlast year,67%ofitsgraduatesstayedinNorth Dakotatoworkforengineeringfirms.Therefore,thisdonationexemplifiesthestrongpartnershipbetweenUniversityofMaryandBobcat,andjustasimportant,thecollaboration forcontinuedgrowthandprosperityinthe state.
Overtheyears,severalBobcatteammembershaveservedasadvisorcommitteemembersforUniversityofMaryengineeringstudents.Bobcatalsosupportsclassroompresentationsandseniordesignprojects,andrecruits UniversityofMarystudentseveryyearfor full-timeemployment,co-opandinternexperiencesthroughoutvariousdepartments.
“AsacompanybasedinNorthDakota,we arecommittedtonurturingthestateandregion’sfutureinnovators,engineers,andtechnologyleaders,”saidScottSchuh,Doosan Bobcatchieftechnologyofficerandsenior vicepresident.“Thatrequiresinvestmentin theinitiativesthatwillcreatethenextgenerationofSTEMprofessionals,whosetechnologyandengineeringexpertisewillensure ourstate’sbusinessescontinuetogrowand thrive.”
ContactInformation
Formoreinformationaboutourengineeringprogrampleasefeelfreeto emailusatEngineering@umary.edu
Thedigitalversionofthisnewspapercanbefoundat issuu.com/ umary-engineering
Nextissue:August2024
