“This event is validation in knowing that your hard work is recognized. It gives you the motivation to keep moving forward,” said Hannah Cabral ‘21, a mechanical engineering major.

“It’s the moment all of us celebrate being us. We celebrate all of our hard work, as a class, all in the same room,” added Mike Austin ’20, a mechanical engineering major.

The School of Engineering family welcomed new staff member John Bau, director of career development, by presenting him with a hard hat during the ceremony.

“You came here not because you wanted to see what you could take away from Quinnipiac, but to see what you can do, make and create in the world,” Bau told the students. “That’s what engineers do. You add value to this world. I don’t want to help you get that first internship, or that first job, I want to help you launch your career.”

He told them that they will all grow and support each other throughout and beyond their time at Quinnipiac.

“Together we will build on these kinds of traditions, and I will not just help you be a good engineering intern — but help you to have an amazing career that you love,” he said.

The School of Engineering is built upon a strong foundation of success — as indicated with a 100% placement rate. The mechanical, civil, industrial and software engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

“The work I did to help develop the School of Engineering is one of the things I am most proud of. Graduates will be successful because no other school compares to our School of Engineering,” Provost Mark Thompson told the engineering students.

The School of Engineering community celebrates each other and looks toward the future at the annual celebration.

“It is an opportunity for members of our school to come together and recognize the accomplishments and achievements of our students. It is one of many ways the School of Engineering promotes community between the students, faculty and staff,” explained School of Engineering Dean Justin Kile.

“We recognize the hard work our students put in and enjoy the opportunity to come together as a group to have fun and support our students.”

The year, the community grew even closer with the addition of the School of Engineering’s Living Learning Community, where first-year students had the opportunity to live with classmates and gain unique opportunities to work with and learn from the faculty in fun and innovative ways — such as using lasers to carve jack o’ lanterns or engineering techniques to build robust gingerbread houses.