Mechanical Engineering Alumni Society Mission Statement

The University of Utah’s Mechanical Engineering Alumni Society seeks to strengthen the local and societal impact of the Department of Mechanical engineering through

  • Assisting current and future ME alumni to achieve their educational and career goals
  • Strengthening the student learning outcomes for future alumni through real-world mechanical engineering problems and experiences and providing input on curriculum and courses
  • Enhancing community involvement by offering engineering volunteering opportunities and fostering meaningful alumni engagement
  • Encouraging corporate sponsored partnerships, innovation and engagement
  • Generating funds to help decrease the cost of education
  • Generating funds to increase the societal impact of the department’s research

Overarching Goals

  • 5% of the alumni attend at least one event each year
  • 10% of the BS students in the ME department will receive an endowed scholarship before they graduate. (Currently about 2%)
  • 10% of tenured faculty have an endowed chair or professorship. (Currently about 2%)
  • 50% of labs or offices are named. (Unsure, but it is small)
  • The department is named
  • Establish at least one new corporate sponsored activity each year

Alumni Events

The Department of Mechanical Engineering desires a vibrant network of alumni that are engaged and collaborating to help make the U better. As such, numerous activities are scheduled throughout the year. Some activities involve just showing up and others require an RSVP. See the list of upcoming activities and we hope you can attend some of these events.

 

Thursday, March 27, 7pm: Climbing the Career Ladder
The Mechanical Engineering Alumni Society and ASME are offering a Climbing the Career Ladder workshop. The event will take place in MEK 3350 and 3550, 1495 E 100 S, SLC. Several local leaders will present their experiences climbing the corporate ladder. The panelist will provide their insight on deciding who should be promoted and why. Time will be provided for questions. We hope you can come and take advantage of 50+ years of corporate leadership knowledge and learn how to actively climb a corporate ladder.

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Highlights of past events from the Alumni Society.

Resume Critique and Mock Interview

The U is hosting a STEM career fair on Tuesday, January 22. To help the ME students compete and be offered their desired job, the department is hosting a resume critique and mock interview. With about 1,000 students, the department needs 10-20 alumni to volunteer their time to help our students succeed in their job searches. Alumni can volunteer for mock interviews or resume critique. Pizza will be provided. Additional details for those who RSVP.

Ski Day at Solitude Resort

The Mechanical Engineering Alumni Society hosted a ski event at Solitude on Jan. 26.  Fifteen people joined the event.  The participants came from alumni, faculty, students, friends and family.  There were no injuries and all seemed to have a great time.

Ski Day at Snow Basin Resort

The Mechanical Engineering Alumni Society hosted a ski event at Snow Basin on February 8.  Eleven people joined the event.  The participants came from alumni, faculty, friends and family.  There were no injuries and all seemed to have a great time.

Mock Interview/Resume Critique
Ten alumni and about fifty students attended the mock interview and resume critique session hosted by the Mechanical Engineering Alumni Society. Students were split into ten group for half hour mock interview sessions.

Students commented:

“This was probably my favorite experience at the U so far. Bringing all these alumni working for extremely selective employers was eye-opening and a fantastic opportunity to pick their brain and ask for advice.”

“Overall, it was a great experience, I’ve updated my resume per the recommendations, and I feel much more prepared for the next interview I will have.”

“Ultimately, I valued my experience at this event and will definitely be attending more.

Alumni Society Banquet 2024
About 35 people participated in the inaugural Mechanical Engineering Alumni Society Banquet on Dec. 3, 2024.

Dr. Tommaso Lenzi gave an inspiring talk about his development of the robotic leg, Time Magazines 2023 Invention of the Year.  His message was that human disabilities should not exist. It is actually the technology and the engineering profession that has not created sufficient advances to overcome human disabilities.  He encouraged all present to be better engineers. 

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah has earned an outstanding reputation of providing the workforce with accomplished individuals known for their positive contributions to society. You can help continue the legacy of excellence by taking an active, supportive role in our program. If you are affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering in any way, stay connected and help support the department! Please take a few moments today to visit the donation page to make a contribution to our department.

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