Get to know a few students, scholars, and alumni from Mechanical Engineering & Mechanics who shared with us their favorite parts of being Lehigh engineers, their advice for students just starting out on their educational journey, and their reflections on Black History Month.
A short interview with Kevin Bown, Vice President of Lehigh’s Chapter of the National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE):
1) What is the history, mission, and vision of the National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE) and Lehigh's Chapter of NSBE (LU-NSBE)?
The National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE) was founded in 1975. NSBE was established to increase the numbers of black students in STEM majors, and to help them succeed academically and professionally, and make positive impacts in their communities. NSBE at Lehigh is an organization dedicated to providing academic support to all students regardless of their choice of study. Students of diverse racial and academic backgrounds are welcomed to join and will experience an environment where they can mature and succeed.
2) What does Black Excellence Month mean to you?
To me, Black Excellence Month is a time to focus on and celebrate the accomplishments of our ancestors and our present community. It is a time for reflection on all the great things we as people and as a community have been able to accomplish through the years, despite the many obstacles we have faced. Although having a month to celebrate our excellence is a wonderful thing, I don’t think celebrating black excellence for one (1) month allows us to adequately highlight the many struggles and successes of Black individuals.
3) What do you consider some of the highlights and major accomplishments for LU-NSBE so far?
Lehigh’s NSBE has been able to establish valuable connections to major companies (such as Lockheed Martin Corporation, Google, IBM, etc.) which have provided a major resource to students seeking internships and employment opportunities. Due to COVID, it was a challenge to maintain student engagement and attendance at our meetings and events. However, this semester, we’ve been able to connect with a number of loyal participants who enthusiastically support our events and may also attend NSBE's National Convention in Anaheim, California this year.
4) Looking forward, what are some of the challenges that LU-NSBE would like to address?
Some of the challenges that LU-NSBE may face looking forward are number of interactive activities, meeting attendance, and meeting involvement. Due to COVID, we have hosted fewer events. During events that we may be able to sponsor, the number of permitted attendees may be low, and social interactions such as sharing food may be curtailed due to COVID regulations imposed by Lehigh that limit room occupancy and require social distancing. These are challenges we've been facing for a while and that we still expect to encounter. As the semester progresses, course demands increase and it's common for most club participation to decrease. However, we are continually working to create innovative "meeting spaces," and to maintain and improve student engagement.
5) What advice or message would you like to send to the student community at large / RCEAS / or any other group on campus regarding LU-NSBE?
Some general advice to the student community is to take advantage of all that Lehigh has made available to us, including the clubs, the professors, the activities, the student engagement centers, the buildings and especially the people. As a senior at Lehigh, I realized that over the course of my four years I was able to meet amazing people, take part in multiple programs, and get involved in anything I set my mind to through the help of advisors, professors and faculty. Although it may be challenging to set some time away from one's studies to really explore everything Lehigh has to offer, it's so important to take time to branch out to explore current interests and discover new ones. Four years go by way too fast and COVID made things go by even faster, so I strongly encourage everyone to take it all in, not take anything for granted, and make the best of the time spent at this amazing university!
A short interview with Dr. Henry Odi:
1) What is Lehigh's history of involvement with the Greer Scholars and National Action Council For Minorities in Engineering (NACME) Scholar Programs and the impact they have had on campus?
Both programs live in the Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science and there is a faculty member from each of the 8 Engineering Departments represented in the Greer and NACME Scholars Community. The Greer Scholars Program was launched by Drs. Henry Odi and Greg Tonkay; Mr. Leon Washington and Ms. Jennifer Castro (Admissions); Ms. Jennifer Mertz (Financial Aid); and Ms. Karla Morales (Development) in Fall 2013 with the encouragement and financial support of its benefactors, Dr. Carl Greer ’62 (Metallurgical Engineer) and Dr. Pat Greer. The goal is for Lehigh University to recruit, support and graduate on time engineering students who come from African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native American backgrounds. There are currently 48 undergraduate students and 1 graduate student who are Greer Scholars. This strong community of scholars meets at least once a month focused around an academic, professional development, and social activity theme. On-going support is provided for these students to get involved in undergraduate research. Additionally, the presence of this program has helped the College to re-energize the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). The NACME Scholars Program was launched in 2019 through Lehigh's institutional membership in the NACME Organization and in collaboration with the Office of Admissions, Dean of Engineering (Steve DeWeerth), Provost Office (Former Provost, Pat Farrell), and Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equity. NACME is the largest provider of college scholarships for underrepresented minorities pursuing degrees at schools of engineering. Their mission is to enrich society with an American workforce that champions diversity in STEM by increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in engineering and computer science.
2) What have you heard from Greer and/or NACME alumni about highlights of their involvement?
These scholars are graduating on time with excellent grades and the alumni are either working for the best companies in the country or are pursuing graduate studies in Engineering at some of the best institutions in the country, including Lehigh University. The alums are well engaged in the lives of the current students in the program.
3) What advice would you give interested students to make the most of these opportunities?
The incoming class is selected as soon as the Admissions decisions are made and our Office of Admissions plays a critical role in that process. Students selected from the first year class will be allowed to hold the distinguished title through graduation as long as they are majoring in a discipline in the College of Engineering, are doing well academically, and are participating in the Greer and NACME Scholars Activities.
4) Are there major differences in eligibility requirements for these scholarships? Where can those interested find more information?
NACME Scholars are selected after their Freshman year if they have a 3.0 GPA or greater and they MUST maintain at least a 2.8 GPA throughout their undergraduate program while majoring in one of the engineering disciplines. However, the Greer Scholars are selected from the pool of incoming first year students interested in majoring in engineering. And like the NACME Scholars, they must remain in the college of engineering through graduation. Both scholars are required to graduate with an Engineering degree. The Greer and NACME Scholars have developed and maintained a vibrant community at Lehigh and many of them are leading and holding leadership positions at different student organizations, such as, NSBE, SHPE, Senate, etc.
If you want to hear more perspectives on these programs, there is a longer article coming out from RCEAS. Stay tuned!
1. Name: Abiola Oladipo
2. Pronouns: He/him/his
3. Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering Minor, 2022
4. Where are you from? Pottstown, PA
5. What is your favorite part about being a Lehigh engineer?
Many of the faculty I’ve gotten to meet during my studies have been great mentors to me during my journey at Lehigh. They have offered wisdom far beyond the lessons in the class helping to embolden my passion for mechanical engineering.
6. How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
I first got interested in mechanical engineering in high school. Initially, I had dreams of becoming an aeronautical engineer since middle school after reading about it in an encyclopedia. I’ve always had an interest in flight, learning about earlier gliders and designs from people like Da Vinci, or the first powered flight completed by the Wright brothers. But, I felt there was more out there I hadn’t considered. After taking some engineering and drafting classes in high school I decided that mechanical engineering was definitely what I wanted to learn and pursue a degree in. Mechanical Engineering encompassed a lot of what I was already interested in and introduced topics that I had know idea I would grow to appreciate.
7. What else are you involved with at Lehigh outside of course work?
I’ve been a member of the Lehigh Innov8 team as well as the African Students Association since my freshman year. This year I’ve had the privilege of working as a undergraduate research assistant under Dr. Keith Moored. In addition, I serve as a career intern at the Center for Career and Professional Development. This year I’ve also joined the Lehigh Aerospace Club.
8. Tell us about any teachers or mentors who have inspired you to get where you are today.
Dr. Henry Odi has been a very important mentor during my time at Lehigh. I met him my freshman year. Since then he has consistently offered guidance and encouragement as well as wisdom. He always seems like a phone call or email away and is always someone I can confide in.
Dr. Keith Moored has been a great mentor as well. His immense patience and flexibility, as well as support has been invaluable to me. Since meeting him he has been a great help fostering my passions and solidifying my goals. I’m extremely grateful for the research opportunity he gave me within his lab as it allowed me to realize my passion for it.
9. What are your plans for after graduation?
My plans for after graduation are to attend graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. as well as work in research hopefully in the area of propulsion.
10. What does Black History/Excellence Month mean to you?
This month to me is another time to celebrate the contributions of African Americans in all areas of society and especially in areas we may not always remember to acknowledge. Growing up I wasn’t too familiar with many black engineers, it was hard to imagine even. So, now being introduced to more black engineers, I can’t help but be inspired and validated in my pursuit of my mechanical engineering degree.
1. Name: Zemichael Gebeyehu
2. Pronouns: He/him
3. Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a double minor in Aerospace & Electrical Engineering, Expected May 2024
4. Where are you from? Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
5. What is your favorite part about being a Lehigh engineer?
My favorite part of being a Lehigh engineer is learning and practicing a robust multidisciplinary approach to solving engineering problems. Whether in or outside of the classroom, there are so many opportunities to apply theory to real-world applications through undergraduate research or engineering student organizations.
6. How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
Growing up, I have always been curious about how things work and why they are designed to function in a specific way. Moreover, watching an Apollo 11 documentary at the age of 10 really inspired me to pursue a career in engineering. Additionally, early-age exposure to sketching helped me to visualize conceptual ideas, dimensions, and build things from a drawing. By the time I got to high school, I had already decided to pursue a career in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering.
7. What else are you involved with at Lehigh outside of course work?
Outside of coursework, I am an undergraduate researcher as well as involved in multiple engineering organizations on campus, holding leadership positions. Under the supervision of Prof. Moored at the Unsteady Flow Interactions Laboratory, I have worked on the design, testing, optimization, and integration of autorotating UAVs by utilizing vertical and closed return wind tunnel testing. Currently, I am working on the development of robotic fish to study the swimming efficiency of tuna.
Besides undergraduate research, I am a co-founder and president of Lehigh University Space Initiative, a Student for Exploration & Development of Space (SEDS USA) chapter that promotes spaceflight and astronautics through projects ranging from Mars rovers to CubeSats. I also serve as a team lead for Lehigh Underwater Robotics (LUR), a student research team developing an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for Robosub 2022 international competition. Since my first year at Lehigh, I have been a member of the Lehigh Formula SAE team, and I am currently an aerodynamics design lead, working on the design and development of wings (front and rear), nose-cone, and side-pod.
I am also a member of the African Student Association (ASA), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Lehigh Aerospace Club, and International Voices.
8. Tell us about any teachers or mentors who have inspired you to get where you are today.
Since my first year at Lehigh, Prof. Hart and Prof. Moored have inspired me to get to where I am today. My academic advisor, Prof. Hart helped me to navigate my academic and professional career as well as encouraged me to gain experience in undergraduate research and engineering student teams. Additionally, my research advisor Prof. Moored has given me invaluable, hands-on research opportunities, and guidance in my career at Lehigh, allowing me to apply research and development to real-world problems.
9. What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduating, I am planning to pursue a graduate study in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering and join the automotive/aerospace industry.
10. What does Black History/Excellence Month mean to you?
Black History Month is a time to recognize the contribution of black people in American history as well as the struggles they have faced. It is also a commemoration of the trailblazing advancements that black people contributed to the world’s forefront of technology, engineering, science, and many other fields.
Name: Challen Enninful Adu
Education:
- BSE Mechanical Engineering, Lehigh University (2016-2020)
- MS-PhD Robotics, University of Michigan (2020-current)
Where are you from, and where do you currently reside?
I am from Ghana, West Africa, and I currently reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan
What is your current professional position?
Research Assistant and PhD student in both ROAHM Lab and EMBiRLab at the University of Michigan.
How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
I first got interested in mechanical engineering from watching Top Gear growing up. In high school I interned at a car mechanic’s store in Ghana, and that solidified my interest!
Tell us about your experiences as a STEM professional. What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of and what do you hope to accomplish in the future?
So far I have had quite the rewarding experience in STEM. I have had the opportunity to work in various industries over my undergraduate career like the oil and gas industry and the pharmaceuticals industry to see the different roles mechanical engineers play in multiple industries. Additionally, I am particularly proud of winning the Dave And Lorraine Freed Honorable Mention for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, and the Alan H. Stenning award for excellence in an Undergraduate Engineering Project during my time as an undergraduate. Some of my most enlightening experiences were conducting research under Ganesh Balasubramanian and David Saldaña. These experiences led me to apply to do graduate school in order to continue to do research.
Now I am branching into the field of Legged Robotics for my MS-PhD and I am excited to continue to build on my mechanical engineering knowledge and to apply it to my robotics research career.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t be discouraged by constantly being underestimated because of your appearance. Keep pushing and striving for excellence.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History month means appreciating and bringing a spotlight to people who are often overlooked by society, despite their many contributions to building the America we know today. Additionally, it gives me a chance to learn more about the history of people who look like me that were born and raised in America. It is rather unfortunate that we only seem to recognize the contributions of black people once a year, but hopefully this is a step forward towards valuing black people as much as everyone else.
Name: Myles Bagley
Education: B.S in Mechanical Engineering, 2021
Where are you from?
Chattanooga, TN
What is your favorite part about being a Lehigh engineer?
My favorite part about being a Lehigh engineer is taking what you learned and applying it to the
capstone project.
How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
My father has a degree in electrical engineering, and I was encouraged by him and men in my
church to pursue a STEM degree.
What else are you involved with at Lehigh outside of course work?
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and GREER Scholars
Tell us about any teachers or mentors who have inspired you to get where you are today.
I have been fortunate to still have former coaches and family friends who are mentors. They continually check in on me and encourage me. I also get inspiration from authors like Ta-Nehisi Coates, who wrote Between the World and Me, and Susan Cain the author of the book Quiet.
What are your plans for after graduation?
Graduate School - TE Master’s Program
What does Black History Month mean to you?
This year, there has been an increased focus on diversity and anti-racism, but Black History is beyond a checkmark to me. Black history is American history. Black History Month is the celebration of the sacrifices and hard work that black people have made each generation before me. It’s a reminder that there were black mechanical engineers before me. It’s a reminder that I should be okay to let my voice heard because black voices have been silenced. It’s a reminder to the world to celebrate blacks in athletics and the arts, but also blacks in literature, banking, healthcare, politics, law, and engineering. Black History Month is a breath of fresh air, but it is also a reminder that the work creating a just world for everyone is not done.
Name: Jasmine Banful
Education:
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, May 2020
- M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, expected December 2021
- Technical Entrepreneurship Certificate, expected December 2021
Where are you from?
Brooklyn, NY
How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
In high school I had the opportunity to take PLTW courses where I learned Autodesk Inventor and EdgeCam. I enjoyed the coursework so my teachers recommended that I look into mechanical engineering.
What else are you involved with at Lehigh outside of course work?
I am involved in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the Lehigh After Dark Ambassadors. I also am a DJ and enjoy producing music in my spare time.
Tell us about any teachers or mentors who have inspired you to get where you are today.
Bruke Mammo was a great mentor during my undergraduate years. He was a student at Lehigh and received his B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science. He also was heavily involved in NSBE and always offered great advice on studying habits, career resources, and making the most out of my Lehigh experience. Bruke was also kind enough to pass on opportunities that he thought that I would be interested in.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I hope to work as a mechanical design engineer in the consumer electronics industry.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is a period of time where black stories and black people are uplifted. This month is significant because it is a great way for people to learn not only about the contributions that black people have made to America but also about the struggles that are not thoroughly taught in our current education system.
Name: Jerard V. Gordon
Education: BSE/ME/PHD, Lehigh University, 2013/2014/2018
Where are you from, and where do you currently reside?
I am from Pemberton, NJ. I currently live in Ann Arbor, MI.
What is your current professional position?
I am an assistant professor in mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan.
How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
A math teacher in high school was a former mechanical engineer and had a large influence directing me to become an engineer. I did not know what an engineer was or did until meeting him.
Tell us about your experiences as a STEM professional. What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of and what do you hope to accomplish in the future?
Most of my experiences have occurred within the university setting (Lehigh, CMU, now UM), but these places have been extremely helpful for my growth as a scientist and educator. This may sound cliché, but my biggest accomplishment truly is working with a lot of exceptional scientists, researchers, faculty, staff, and students, and learning so much from them. I hope to continue learning, and that my research and teaching will have positive long-term impacts on the academic community and society at large.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Truth is essential, but so is grace. Working hard is key, but so is rest. You can’t do everything in a single day.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
There is so much history that we are not taught in schools or that is not commonly known (but should be). For instance, I didn’t know until recently the first overseas missionary from America was a black man (George Liele). For me, Black History Month is a microcosm of the fuller picture of the stories of African Americans (and other black and brown people) that have historically not been told due to indifference, fear, or in order to push an incorrect narrative that only select groups of people have worth in our country. Black History Month gives the opportunity for me to see my story in both a historical and present-day context; this is something that helps to remind me that everyone has a story worth telling - whether we take the time to listen or not.
Name: Andrea Jones
Education:
I am in a 5-year program studying Mechanical Engineering and Product Design. I will attend graduation in May 2022 but will continue to take classes until May 2023.
Where are you from?
I am originally from New York, but my family recently moved to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, an hour south from Lehigh’s campus.
What is your favorite part about being a Lehigh engineer?
The best part about being a Lehigh Engineer is the sense of community. I know that I can ask my peers and professors anything. We all understand each other, to some extent, because of our similar positions.
How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
My interest in mechanical engineering started with my passion of sewing when I was younger. I enjoyed the process of disassembling objects and finding a way to reconstruct them again, whether it be the garments I was working on or the sewing machine. I realized I can do this on a larger scale and thus began my journey to become a mechanical engineer.
What else are you involved with at Lehigh outside of course work?
Pre-Covid, I was involved in a few clubs. I was a member of LU’s Finest Step Team which performed at Zoellner Arts Center for Fusion and DanceFest and a tutor for nearby elementary schools. Currently, I am an admissions tour guide for Lehigh University, a Lehigh Liner, and a member of NSBE (National Society for Black Engineers).
Tell us about any teachers or mentors who have inspired you to get where you are today.
Professor Hannah Dailey has inspired me more than I think she knows. Professor Dailey helped me understand the importance of taking care of your mental health while balancing a heavy course load. Her advice has helped me get to where I am today. My parents are also big mentors of mine. They are people who I can go to for any reason and who keep my level-headed.
What are your plans for after graduation?
My plans for after graduation are to be determined. However, I plan to get a full-time job that encompasses Mechanical Engineering and Product Design.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is a chance for everyone to remember to get an understanding of the contributions black people had in American History.
Name: Albert J. Woody II
Education:
- Lehigh University, B.S Bioengineering '13
- Lehigh University, M.Eng Mechanical Engineering '15
Where are you from, and where do you currently reside?
From Baltimore, MD and currently reside in Baltimore, MD
What is your current professional position?
Mechanical Design Engineer
How did you first get interested in mechanical engineering?
Freshman year of college during an engineering seminar course I was curious about Lehigh’s new Bioengineering department. As a student athlete, I understood the importance of recovery and healing from injuries. At the time, the department had a cell and tissue track which focused on biological science and the fundamentals of mechanics. Immediately, I thought about the orthopedic implant design process, which I thought was cool, and that is how I selected my undergraduate major.
Tell us about your experiences as a STEM professional. What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of and what do you hope to accomplish in the future?
I have had a dynamic STEM professional career thus far. Before I took my first engineering job out of college, I became a substitute teacher in the mathematics department at my former high school. Following that I became a residential energy auditor, then a few months later I took a position as a project engineer designing HVAC systems. Over my four- and half-year career I have designed facilities such as K-12 schools, penitentiaries, commercial buildings, hospitals, and data centers. One accomplishment I am most proud of is passing the FE exam after being out of college for four years. I will be preparing to sit for the professional engineering exam in the upcoming months and look forward to obtaining my license.
What advice would you give your younger self?
“A good plan violently executed right now, is far better than a perfectly executed plan next week."
-General George Patton
Be ambitious with intention and embrace the unknown.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
A time to be thankful for all of the African Americans who laid the foundation upon which I and many others can continue to build on. Despite the obstacles and sacrifices those individuals made, their legacy continues to live on through the triumphs of the generations proceeding them. Whenever I perceive a task as too great, I try to remind myself that there was someone before me who had to climb a steeper mountain to reach the same goal, so why not me. Be a part of the history.