In October 2010, the Alumni Magazine introduced you to a fresh-faced batch of first-year Tech students. Last year, we caught up with them as sophomores. Here, we check in on their progress at the Institute and their ever-growing plans for the future.
Mike Jasper, Jacksonville, Fla. — Mechanical Engineering Last May I was elected chief engineer for Tech’s Formula SAE Team, which designs and builds small formula-style racecars and competes with 120 teams in Detroit. That helped me grow as a leader and a project manager. I am constantly amazed by how hard Tech pushes us in our academic studies. There is a sink-or-swim attitude here, but I appreciate an atmosphere that rewards hard work. I know when I get out, I will have been work-hardened to the point where I am able to tackle any challenge.
Lily Ponitz, Sarasota, Fla. — Environmental Engineering I’ve been dedicated to Engineers Without Borders-Georgia Tech since my freshman year, and it’s changed my life. I’ve been to Cameroon twice in the past year to set up a clean water supply for a rural village. Seeing clean water flowing from the taps was a realization of one of my biggest dreams. My plan for the distant future is to either work for or have my own firm that designs sustainable breweries. The brewing process is incredibly resource intensive, and breweries are a perfect place to make an impact on conservation, sustainability and cost savings. And I can’t imagine the work environment being too unbearable.
Anirudh Sundararaghavan, Alpharetta, Ga. — Biomedical Engineering I’ve been heavily involved in research as a Petit Undergraduate Research Scholar. The progress that I have made through the entire research process has been my proudest accomplishment in the last year. Soon I’ll be taking the MCAT exam—one more step in the direction of medical school, a goal of mine for a long time. Last semester I took a class that involved observation inside an emergency department; there were some gruesome moments, but seeing doctors and nurses actively trying to save lives was inspiring.
Norquata Allen, Chattanooga, Tenn. — Aerospace Engineering I am realizing that I am getting older and will be graduating soon, which is slightly disheartening. I will be starting the last rotation of my co-op at Delta Air Lines in the spring. The next semester, Fall 2013, will mark the beginning of 100 percent major classes as opposed to having an elective or social science on my schedule. As far as this upcoming summer, studying abroad would be nice, but I am searching for an internship. I love where I am right now and plan on involving myself in the school much more. I am a recent initiate in Sigma Gamma Tau, an AE honors society, and plan on joining an aerospace affiliate/interest group on campus.
Tanner Smith, Suwanee, Ga. — Computer Science This past summer I studied abroad in Barcelona with the College of Computing. Barcelona was awesome, and I am proud of how much I accomplished outside of my comfort zone.Now I am trying to get an internship for the summer. The interviewing process has been pretty stressful, but I remain positive and confident I will find the right place to work eventually.
Hope Brown, Cincinnati, Ohio — Chemical & Biomedical Engineering My proudest accomplishments in this last year are being initiated as a brother of Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity (a professional chemistry fraternity) and getting a job at the Georgia Tech Post Office. The biggest challenge that I work everyday to overcome is my schoolwork. With the advice of past students and advisers, I have changed how I am going to approach my course of study. I will be spreading out a lot more of my classes so that I will understand the material better. Next semester I will be here in Atlanta taking classes, but in the summer of 2013 I will be interning in order to gain more experience in my field.
Ronnie Foreman, Bethesda, Md. — Aerospace Engineering The fall semester has been about developing my engineering intuition. I have found that knowing the exact procedure for completing an assignment is not nearly as valuable as the ability to look at a situation and work based on instinct. Each time I fly home for the holidays, I’m more fascinated by the wing manipulations of the planes taking me home as I see first hand what I’m learning here at Tech. I’m hoping to complete my master’s degree at Tech in aerospace, but I’m not sure where I’d like to pursue my PhD yet. I’m thinking astrophysics for now.
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