Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: McMurray, Pennsylvania
Why did you choose Behrend? It has a strong engineering program with professors that prioritize students and teach in small classroom settings. Additionally, I wanted to swim at the D-III level and Behrend has a strong swim team with a great coach.
Why he chose his major: I’ve been surrounded by engineers and problem solvers since a young age. My dad was an engineer, his dad was an engineer, and my mom’s dad repaired commercial printing machines. Their knack for problem solving had a strong influence on me; we were always fixing or building things around the house. I decided to pursue Mechanical Engineering because I have always been interested in how things move and why things are designed the way they are. Additionally, it is a versatile degree that allows me to work in a variety of fields.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I am proud to have completed my degree in four years while competing in varsity athletics. I swam during all four years of college while balancing a challenging academic workload. Managing studying, homework, and projects with the swimming practices, lifting program, and swim meets was challenging.
Campus involvement: I have been a member of the Behrend Swimming and Diviving team for all four of my years at Behrend. I am also the men’s team representative for the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, which provides insight and shares Behrend Athletic program information with the team. During my junior and senior years, I was a grader for Statics and Strengths II. I also played intramural flag football in the spring the past two years with my swim teammates.
Awards and accolades: I have been part of the AMCC All-Conference all four seasons of my athletic career. Additionally, I was inducted into the Behrend Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, which is the National Collegiate Athlete Honor Society. I was voted onto the 2024 AMCC All-Sportsmanship Team in 2024.
I was also an awardee of the 2023 Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Program. The SMART Program is a Department of Defense (DoD) scholarship program for STEM students. SMART provides tuition scholarships which are “repaid” by working at a DoD facility after graduation. This program supports STEM majors in college and assists them with starting their professional careers. I highly encourage any STEM major to apply.
Advice for first-year students: When things are not going according to plan, it can be easy to focus on what is going wrong. Taking a step back to reevaluate or change your perspective can help you reset and focus on what is going right. It is important to remember and appreciate what you have accomplished rather than getting bogged down in little failures.
Mike has accepted an offer from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, after his graduation in May. He will work as a civilian engineer in the maintenance and overhaul of the Navy’s fast-attack nuclear submarines.