Posted November 18, 2021 in Alumni Profile
Lawrence School, Class of 2007
Valparaiso University, Class of 2011
Since finishing high school, what have you been up to?
Quite a lot, actually! I earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Valparaiso University, in Indiana. I’ve been working in the field ever since! My first job took me to South Dakota where I was part of a team that designed cooling systems for diesel engines. After living out of state for a few years, I decided I wanted to return to Cleveland. I joined TTI Floor Care, the parent company of Hoover, as an engineer in product development. I designed cordless vacuum cleaners—which was a great experience because it allowed me to travel to China. I’m now a product engineer at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, where I work on advanced driver assistance systems. These are the safety features built into newer vehicles, like blind-spot detection, lane departure correction, pedestrian avoidance, and more. Believe it or not, I actually have a few patents in the works!
How do you spend your free time?
I love sports and being active. At one time I was an avid rock climber. I still climb, but more recently my fiancée, who is a long-distance runner, got me interested in distance running and half marathons. This, combined with my love of swimming and road biking, naturally led to an interest in triathlons. So far I’ve competed in multiple—including two national championships. I would love to one day make the U.S. National Triathlon Team. I’m also getting married next October, so we’re spending a lot of time planning our wedding.
Tell us about your experience at Valparaiso University.
Like all college freshmen, I was nervous and intimidated by the college workload, but I got into the habit of visiting the campus Help Center every single day. I actually found it to also be a great place to meet people, and some of the students I connected with there became my closest friends and roommates! In school, I honestly had to work twice as hard as everyone else, but I just kept plugging away. As the semesters passed, I found myself at the same level of the upperclassmen I had always looked up to.
Before college, I was active in the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus. I loved being a part of something like this, so I joined the Valparaiso University Chorale. Our group traveled and performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Germany. It was a fantastic experience and everyone I performed with holds a special place in my heart.
How did Lawrence prepare you for College?
Before I came to Lawrence, I was a disorganized mess with random papers shoved in every nook and cranny of my backpack. Mrs. Cook spent a lot of time teaching me how to organize my work and since then, I’ve transferred that strategy to basically everything in my life. Lawrence also gave me the self-confidence to know I could do hard things. I ended up taking both pre-calc and calculus the same semester in high school. I really didn’t think I could do it—but I did! That taught me to persevere and not be afraid of challenges.
What piece of advice would you give a new Lawrence student?
Ask for as much help as you need and don't be shy about it! You're not bothering anyone when you ask for help—your teachers are there to make you better and get you to places you didn't think were possible.
What is your fondest memory from your time at Lawrence?
It was the people for sure and especially my teachers. They were so supportive, even after I graduated. I remember performing at Severance Hall with the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, and several of my Lawrence teachers came out to watch. It meant a lot to me and it still does. Lawrence is like a little family.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Professionally, I can see myself in a supervisory role. In my personal life, I'll be married and still living in Northeast Ohio, possibly by then we will have started a family. I’d also love to get to Worlds in triathlon. I know qualifying for the Olympics isn’t in the cards, but just earning a spot on the team and traveling to a really cool place would be amazing. I mostly see myself enjoying life—the journey is what is most important to me.