STIHL sponsors engineering student expo
Old Dominion University’s Batten College of Engineering and Technology recently hosted its annual Engineering Student Project Expo (ESPEX) at Chartway Arena at the Ted Constant Center in Norfolk, Virginia. STIHL Inc. served as a sponsor and provided judges for the annual event.
“The relationship STIHL has with ODU’s Batten College of Engineering and Technology has been a vital part of our success here in Virginia Beach. The college is known for its focus on innovation and is a source of new engineering talent for us,” said Andreas Garstenauer, STIHL Inc. director of manufacturing engineering.
Nearly 70 engineering research projects — 34 submitted by undergrads and 35 by graduate students – filled the arena floor. This year, for the first time, cash awards were presented to student teams for projects displayed at ESPEX. Among the prizes was $1,000 for the STIHL’s Choice Award, judged and presented by STIHL engineers.
“ODU is also an important part of our employees’ continuing education. Many STIHL employees attend ODU as part-time students, utilizing the STIHL tuition reimbursement program to develop their skills and stay current with the latest engineering and manufacturing developments and new technologies,” said Garstenauer.
“We know the pace of technological growth and development will only increase, highlighting the importance of ODU’s Batten College of Engineering and Technology to STIHL Inc. and companies like us,” said Garstenauer.
Manufacturing Business Unit Manager Ahmed Hamdy, Quality Assurance Manager Michael Mannix and Engineering Manager Dan Pescariu made up the team of STIHL judges.
It was meaningful for Hamdy and Mannix, both ODU alumni, to be back on campus with future engineers. “This is great,” Mannix said. “I attended ODU 23 years ago, and it's great to come back here for an engineering event and see all the innovations and designs and the overall growth of the engineering program.”
STIHL’s Choice Award winners Carter Lamb, Conrad Miller and Ian Fenn worked with advisor Venkat Maruthamuthu. The team designed a low-cost, bi-axial cell stretcher to work in tandem with a microscope without the mechanical limitations of more expensive devices commercially available.
“The participation of STIHL in this event, both as a sponsor and as a company that provided professional judges, helped to make it a great success,” said Khan Iftekharuddin, interim dean of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology. “Having companies like STIHL Inc. invest in our students and their futures means a great deal to us.”
Support of programs like ESPEX reinforces the ongoing STIHL Inc. commitment to modern manufacturing, the firm said. It also provides an excellent opportunity to see innovative engineering project presentations and meet talented students who might be interested in applying for internships or full-time positions at STIHL Inc.