Purdue Polytechnic Spotlights

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Purdue Polytechnic Spotlights

Purdue Polytechnic has extraordinary students, faculty, staff and alumni. Many have stories to tell that go beyond their plans of study, their jobs or their research. Read their stories — and see yourself here.
Alumna and former CIO Diana McKenzie reflects on a lifelong tech industry career
Diana McKenzie, a 1986 graduate of the former Computer and Information Systems program at Purdue Polytechnic (then the School of Technology) remembers a very different version of the tech...
Date March 27, 2025     Written by Rachel Ashley Rachel Ashley
Giant leaps on ‘Mars’ outpost for Polytechnic student
Adriana Sanchez, a mechanical engineering technology student, spent nearly two weeks at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), a simulated habitat in the Utah desert that mimics the...
Date March 10, 2025     Written by Nick Pompella Nick Pompella
Game dev alumna dives into Purdue experience: 'Producers are oil in the machine, you don't notice until the gears start squeaking.'
Uma Claire Teelock graduated Purdue Polytechnic with a Bachelor of Science in both game development and animation, with a minor in organization leadership, in fall of 2024. Since then, she has...
Date February 28, 2025     Written by Nick Pompella Nick Pompella
Organizational leadership student opens store in Indy’s Fashion Mall at Keystone
Emily Brown became a business owner at just 16 years old. She invested her entire savings from odd jobs to buy inventory for what would eventually become Maren Made, a clothing store for teens...
Date February 27, 2025     Written by Rachel Ashley Rachel Ashley
Lautenschlager exploring an auto facility in Germany. (Photo provided)
Purdue baseball player pivots to find new home in supply chain program
Jake Lautenschlager arrived at Purdue University from Terre Haute, Indiana, with plans to be a stellar pitcher on the baseball team and earn his degree in unmanned aerial systems. Plans changed...
Date January 29, 2025     Written by Rachel Ashley Rachel Ashley
Computing, graphics senior creates innovations that work in practice, not just theory
"My personal mission," Julian Triveri explained, "is to make practical technology that works—technology that's easy to use and not predatory in its cost." Triveri...
Date January 08, 2025     Written by Nick Pompella Nick Pompella
Building community across Purdue—finding belonging in Columbus
Melissa Casner, an assistant professor of practice at Purdue Polytechnic in Columbus, has spent her career fostering connections—not just between her students and coursework but across...
Date December 20, 2024     Written by Nick Pompella Nick Pompella
Computer Graphics Technology grad joins Disney Animation Apprentice Program: Q&A with Joshua Meister
Joshua Meister completed his degree in Computer Graphics Technology (CGT) from the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology in Indianapolis with a concentration in Animation and Spatial...
Date September 04, 2024     Written by Rachel Ashley Rachel Ashley
A father and a Boilermaker: Zach Arman talks Purdue Polytechnic in Lafayette experience
In 2016, Zach Arman took on an incredibly difficult challenge: attending university nine years after his high school graduation. A thirty five year-old father of three with a full-time...
Date July 03, 2024     Written by Alison Manges Alison Manges
Purdue in Indianapolis spotlights student in themed entertainment design, new major for the university
Julie Beckwith at The Persistent Pursuit recently profiled Carys George, a student in themed entertainment design who will continue her education at the newly-formed Purdue in Indianapolis...
Date April 30, 2024     Written by Nick Pompella Nick Pompella
PhD fellow earns Purdue Efficiency Award for organizational reforms in construction
Candice Sexton, a PhD student in the School of Construction Management Technology (CMT), was recently awarded a one-time accolade by Purdue University called the Efficiency Improvements...
Date April 22, 2024     Written by Nick Pompella Nick Pompella
From outsider to director: alumna talks Disney animation, lifelong learning, conquering imposter syndrome
It was computer graphics or nothing at all for Kaileen Kraemer, who grew up transfixed by animated films and cinematic video games. When she first found Purdue’s Computer Graphics...
Date April 11, 2024     Written by Rachel Ashley Rachel Ashley
“A catalyst for change”: first-generation student at Polytechnic shares experience
The following piece is an interview conducted last semester with Suzy Meh, a student in Purdue’s human resources development major (or HRD). HRD is under Purdue Polytechnic’s...
Date February 17, 2024     Written by Nick Pompella Nick Pompella
PlayStation, ‘Last of Us’ and beyond: Q&A with master’s alumnus Xingyu Lei
PlayStation, ‘Last of Us’ and beyond: Q&A with master’s alumnus Xingyu Lei
Xingyu Lei is a 2020 Computer Graphics Technology (CGT) department graduate, who now works in video game development for Sony’s PlayStation division as a senior technical artist. Game...
Date January 25, 2024     Written by Rachel Ashley Rachel Ashley
Fan Yang, a PhD student in technology within Purdue Polytechnic's School of Construction Management Technology.
PhD student takes chance on America, finds ideal Purdue program and community
Like many young professionals in China, Fan Yang found herself in a strange situation in 2021. “With only two years of work experience under my belt, I [was] standing at a crossroads,...
Date August 24, 2023     Written by Nick Pompella Nick Pompella
Greg Strimel of Purdue Polytechnic Institute's Department of Technology Leadership and Innovation is a 2023 winner of the Murphy Award. (Purdue University/The Persistent Pursuit)
Greg Strimel fused teaching and research to win Murphy Award for instruction
The Persistent Pursuit, Purdue University’s publication highlighting the community’s outstanding stories, recently spoke with Purdue Polytechnic’s Greg Strimel. This...
Date May 11, 2023     Written by Nick Pompella Nick Pompella
2023 Murphy Award winner Bryan Hubbard has been at Purdue for 20 years, much of it within the School of Construction Management Technology.
Bryan Hubbard dives deeper into Murphy Award win
In a new interview with The Persistent Pursuit, Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award winner Bryan Hubbard gave some revealing insights into his background and teaching...
Date May 11, 2023     Written by Nick Pompella Nick Pompella
Gryphon Mawhorter, a rising senior in audio engineering technology, works on the first fret of his latest guitar in the "guitar lab" on Lambertus Hall's fourth floor.
Guitar lab student forges his own path with Polytechnic curriculum
Gryphon Mawhorter has been making guitars for as long as he’s known how to use power tools. A junior in audio engineering technology (AUET), it was clear to Mawhorter long before he...
Date May 09, 2023     Written by Nick Pompella Nick Pompella
Julie LaGrange holds up a We Fight Together care package (Purdue University photo/Alison Manges)
Cancer survivor launches non-profit “We Fight Together”
In July 2020, Julie LaGrange received some of the worst news one can receive: a diagnosis of stage two breast cancer. After battling for a year and a half and coming out cancer-free, LaGrange...
Date April 06, 2023     Written by Alison Manges Alison Manges
Mark French, professor of mechanical engineering technology, with a student in the popular "guitar lab" course (Purdue University photo/John Underwood)
Students use hands-on skills, teamwork to build guitars in popular Engineering Technology course
One of the most popular courses in campus is MET 34900 (Stringed Instrument Design and Manufacture). Given that students get to design and build their own guitars in the course, it’s no...
Date February 21, 2023     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Angel Price
Disney connections: Purdue alum keeps “Pandora – The World of Avatar” flying
  It’s 5:45 a.m. on a Monday morning, and Angel Price (BS mechanical engineering technology ’07) is already on the move. She walks fast, passing industrial-size...
Date February 13, 2023     Written by Jared Pike Jared Pike
Hudson Tsang
Unmanned aerial systems student discovers a love for flight outside of the cockpit
There’s more than one way to fly. When a childhood medical issue with his eyesight delayed his plan to become an airplane pilot, Hudson Tsang took his father’s advice and checked...
Date January 31, 2023     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Nah’Shon Williams (Purdue University photo/Charles Jischke)
Scholarship enables student to pursue construction management degree
A new partnership with a national college outreach and youth leadership development organization gave 11 first-year students a chance to become Boilermakers. Purdue partnered with the Posse...
Date December 20, 2022     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Matt Folk honored John Cox and Antonia Munguia as recipients of the 2022 Special Boilermaker Award during the Purdue vs. Nebraska game on Oct. 15. (Purdue Athletics)
Munguia receives Special Boilermaker Award
Toni Munguia, Purdue Polytechnic’s director of recruitment, retention and diversity, was named a recipient of the 2022 Special Boilermaker Award for her dedication to Purdue....
Date December 12, 2022     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Markell Jones
Alumnus makes giant leap from Mr. Football to Piedmont Airlines first officer
Markell Jones (BS professional flight ’19) was always fascinated with flying. He has his father, a pilot, to thank for that. “My Dad would share stories with us, and I could tell...
Date November 28, 2022     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Tatiana Ringenberg
Ringenberg completes giant leap from Purdue student to professor
What’s one way to become a true-blue Boilermaker? Do what Tatiana Ringenberg did: Earn all of your degrees at Purdue. Ringenberg, assistant professor of cybersecurity in Purdue Polytechnic...
Date November 21, 2022     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Mike Reckowsky on Techies Today, the Purdue Polytechnic Podcast
Techies Today Episode 017: Mike Reckowsky & Tech Expo, a Showcase of Student Solutions
Mike Reckowsky, director of industry relations in Purdue Polytechnic, says companies that sponsor students’ senior capstone projects receive working prototypes that address real-world...
Date October 10, 2022     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Faith Spencer
Finding the right major: Change is uncomfortable, but worth it
Faith Spencer was a good math and science student in high school, and she’s from a family with multiple Boilermakers. So participating in summer engineering programs for high schoolers was...
Date September 26, 2022     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Daniel Castro, Meeting the Polytechnic's New Dean, on Techies Today, the Purdue Polytechnic Podcast
Techies Today Episode 016: Daniel Castro, Meeting the Polytechnic's New Dean
How did building cities in the dirt with toys and listening to soccer games on the radio lead a boy from Colombia to a distinguished career in industry and higher education that spanned three...
Date September 22, 2022     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Mike O'Gara (second from left), a 1994 Purdue mechanical engineering technology graduate, helped coach Marcus Ericsson to victory in the 2022 Indy 500.
Purdue MET grad coaches driver to Indy 500 win
Mike O’Gara, a 1994 Purdue mechanical engineering technology graduate, helped coach race car driver Marcus Ericsson to victory in the 2022 Indy 500. O’Gara, director of...
Date July 15, 2022     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
James Letsinger, Building Polytechnic's Future, on Techies Today, the Purdue Polytechnic Podcast
Techies Today Episode 015: James Letsinger, Building Polytechnic's Future
James Letsinger, a 2013 graduate of Purdue Polytechnic’s Construction Management Technology program, is the project manager for Shiel Sexton Company who is overseeing construction of...
Date July 08, 2022     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Toni Munguia, Making a Difference, on Techies Today, the Purdue Polytechnic Podcast
Techies Today Episode 014: Toni Munguia, Making a Difference
Toni Munguia, Purdue Polytechnic’s director of recruitment, retention and diversity, is affectionately known as “Miss Toni” to legions of current and past Purdue students...
Date June 24, 2022     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Sharita Ware, the 2021 Indiana Teacher of the Year, and Nathan Mentzer, associate professor of technology leadership and innovation. (Photo provided)
Polytechnic post-baccalaureate program grad receives Indiana Teacher of the Year Award
Sharita Ware, a graduate of Purdue’s engineering-teacher technology education post-baccalaureate Transition to Teaching program, received the 2022 Indiana Teacher of the Year Award....
Date October 27, 2021     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Scott Bess
“Vision keeper” guides Purdue Polytechnic high school network to success
Scott Bess wears many hats. Bess, the founding executive director of the Purdue Polytechnic High School (PPHS) network and a recent appointee to the Indiana State Board of Education, was...
Date September 24, 2021     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Abby Perez, Psychology+Design=UX, on Techies Today, the Purdue Polytechnic Podcast
Techies Today Episode 013: Abby Perez, Psychology+Design=UX
Abby Perez is a user experience engineer at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. In 2018, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Purdue Polytechnic’s UX Design program with a minor in psychology...
Date March 18, 2021     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar
Techies Today Episode 012: Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar, Purdue's CyberSleuth
Kathryn Seigfried-Spellar fights crime using cyberforensics, a branch of digital forensic science pertaining to evidence found in computers and digital storage media. Seigfried-Spellar,...
Date February 16, 2021     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Danielle Render
Organizational leadership grad fashions clothing design hobby into apparel company
When an automobile accident sidelined a Purdue graduate for a few months in 2018, Danielle Render (BS organizational leadership ’17, BS multidisciplinary engineering ’17)...
Date February 01, 2021     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
John Sheffield
Pope Francis invites Engineering Technology professor to discuss climate change
A professor in Purdue University’s Polytechnic Institute will meet Pope Francis to discuss sustainable energy and how it might positively affect climate change. John Sheffield,...
Date February 04, 2020     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Amy Noah
Alumni Spotlight: Amy Noah, Boilermaker & connection-maker
Keeping the lights on at a major land-grant research university, says Amy Noah, is just as much about building and fostering connections as fundraising. As vice president for development,...
Date December 16, 2019     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley
Melody Birmingham-Byrd
Techies Today Episode 004: Melody Birmingham-Byrd, Be Humble & Take Giant Leaps
Melody Birmingham-Byrd came to Purdue to study accounting, but she found her calling in technology management after she started her studies in organizational leadership. Melody graduated in...
Date November 01, 2019     Written by John O'Malley John O'Malley