| Calvin student wins big
By Joo Eun Kim
Staff Writer
FILE PHOTO Legbeti's work, for which he won a scholarship, is indicative of "the quality of students Calvin is privileged to have," according to Professor Brouwer.
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Calvin’s engineering department received another boost when one of its students received a scholarship from the Society of Automotive Engineers International (SAE).
SAE offered two scholarships for colleges or universities in Western Michigan. Each college or university was allowed to submit up to two applicants. This year, only one person from Calvin applied and received it, and that was junior Emmanuel Legbeti.
Legbeti applied for the scholarship in fall 2002 and was notified that he received it in January 2003.
Legbeti receiving the scholarship is a “recognition of the quality of students Calvin is privileged to have,” Engineering Department Chair Randall Brouwer said. “They can compete with any other school.”
The other student who won the scholarship was a student from Grand Valley State University. Other colleges who had submitted applications were Western Michigan University, Andrews University and Ferris State University
Dan Skurski, chair of SAE for Western Michigan and a member of SAE for about twenty years, said he cannot remember any year when a Calvin student has won this scholarship until now.
One of the reasons Calvin has not received the SAE scholarship before is that the scholarship is not widely known among students. Joel Eigege and Paul Sokomba, engineering majors, said they had not heard about the scholarship.
Applicants had to submit their GPA, a short resume and an essay about what they anticipate doing in the future.
Professors and students alike praised Legbeti. He was one of the founders of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) at Calvin College. NSBE is an internationally recognized organization of students and professionals in engineering.
Eigege said, “Emmanuel is a very good student. He deserves the award in every front.”
Legbeti has participated in many engineering projects. Under Bob DeKraker, he worked as a software technician. He also took on a research project with Professor DeJong of the Engineering department. Legbeti did projects for major companies like Ford Motors, Northrop Grumman, Collins and Aikman Corporation. He also had an internship with Burke E. Porter Machinery and Co., an engineering automobile firm, and designed dynamometers and fans for automobile testing.
”The reason I applied for this scholarship was because I had enjoyed all the engineering projects that I have worked on so far, and I saw this as a chance to share my experience with the Society of Automotive Engineers,” Legbeti said. “It was a chance to let people know what a wonderful
experience I have had as an upcoming engineer. Plus, I always take opportunities to prove to myself that I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me.”
SAE offers many scholarships. Founded in 1905, SAE includes over 83,000 engineers, business executives, educators and students worldwide. The purpose of this organization is to show its commitment to society to promote vehicle safety and maintenance and energy resource conservation.
Students like Legbeti who engage actively in engineering projects benefit from SAE and continue with their research and internships.
“[Legbeti’s] had some excellent experience working with the automotive industry, both in research projects and in his internship,” Brouwer said.
The engineering department at Calvin started in the 1930s. Although a four-year engineering degree has only been offered since 1985, the department has been on the rise.
“I have learnt so much as a student in the engineering department,” Legbeti said. “The professors have all had a hand in molding me into what I have become and what I will become. The curriculum touches on all relevant aspects of engineering and prepares all of us for a fruitful career guided by stewardship to God.”
The meeting for the scholarship presentation is scheduled for February 10, and will be held at Grand Valley State’s Grand Rapids branch.
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