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.

Wednesday January 15, 2025 6:30 -8:00pm: 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.

 

RSVP Here

Saturday, January 25, 2025: Ski Day at Solitude Resort

People ski at various levels and start at different times. Skiing should be fun, so this is a come when you want and leave when you want event. There will be a meeting time 9:00-9:15 by the Moonbeam lift. There will be another meeting time 12:45-1:00 by the line to the Moonbeam lift.

Wear something symbolizing the University of Utah or Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Easton, Chair of the Alumni Committee, will wear a XXXL t shirt over his jacket with a U and Mech Eng. Other people may just have something small like a sticker. If you see someone with a U or Mechanical Engineering symbol, ask if they are with the ME Department, and ski and/or ride the lift the lift together. Try to create large groups of skiers.

There is no sign up and people participate at their own risk and provide their own lift ticket and meal (if desired). Family, friends and significant others are welcome to come. Future alumni, current graduate and undergraduate ME students will also be invited to join. We are hoping to get over 100 people to this event. So if you are skiing this weekend anyway, make plans to ski at Solitude.

In the event that the canyon is closed except for 4×4 and chains, people should enjoy a good powder day. So the event is postponed until Saturday, Jan 25 (This avoids the Martin Luther King Day blackouts for anyone with certain season passes.).

Saturday, February 8, 2025: Ski Day at Snow Basin Resort

People ski at various levels and start at different times. Skiing should be fun, so this is a come when you want and leave when you want event. There will be a meeting times at 9:00-9:15 am and 12:45-1:00 pm on the snow between Earl’s Lodge and the Needles Gondola.

Wear something symbolizing the University of Utah or Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Easton, Chair of the Alumni Committee, will wear a XXXL t shirt over his jacket with a U and Mech Eng. Other people may just have something small like a sticker. If you see someone with a U or Mechanical Engineering symbol, ask if they are with the ME Department, and ski and/or ride the lift the lift together.

There is no sign up and people participate at their own risk and provide their own lift ticket and meal (if desired). Family, friends and significant others are welcome to come. Future alumni, current graduate and undergraduate ME students will also be invited to join. We are hoping to get over 100 people to this event. So if you are skiing this weekend anyway, make plans to ski at Snow Basin.

In the event that the roads are closed except for 4×4 and chains, people should enjoy a good powder day. The event will be postponed until Saturday, Feb 22 (This avoids the Presidents Day blackouts for anyone with certain season passes.).

March - TBD: Game Night
Check back for more details.

Highlights of past events from the Alumni Society.

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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