MSOE’s student chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International was recognized as the Top Chapter at the 2016 SAE Student Night. Sponsored by the SAE Milwaukee professional section, collegiate chapters from Marquette University, Michigan Tech, MSOE, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee and UW-Platteville gathered for the annual event. Each chapter presented an overview of its activities, highlighting collegiate design series technical accomplishments and challenges. SAE professional members in attendance, who represented both industry and academia, assigned each chapter points for their efforts in different categories. For the third consecutive year, the MSOE chapter received the most points. A total of 140 SAE members, including 40 MSOE students and faculty, attended Student Night.

MSOE SAE is a student-led organization that strives to expose students to different facets of the transportation industry and the technologies within this dynamic field. Chapter teams are currently working on SuperMileage, Formula Hybrid and Baja collegiate design series projects. The projects are an opportunity for leadership development as well as real-world experience. Another function of the chapter is to organize events throughout the year, including a trip to the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) June Sprints at Road America and the Chicago Auto Show, as well as industry tours in conjunction with the SAE Milwaukee section.

“In addition, our chapter hosts industry speakers at biweekly meetings,” said MSOE senior mechanical engineering major Lauren Goulet, who serves as chairperson on the chapter’s board. “Recent presentations have included company representatives from MacDon, Harley-Davidson, Husco International, Modine Manufacturing and Trek.” New this year, the chapter is planning an MSOE SAE alumni dinner.

The group currently has 105 registered SAE student members and is the fifth largest collegiate chapter in the U.S. In addition to Goulet, board members include mechanical engineering majors senior Brandon VanderHeyden, vice chairperson; junior Lucas Bednarski, secretary; senior Spencer Rich, treasurer; junior Bailey Walsh, sponsorship coordinator; senior Dan Fricke, program coordinator; junior Britt Campbell, design team liaison; and electrical engineering major senior Austin Bartz, webmaster. Faculty advisor is Dr. Christopher Damm, professor and director of the mechanical engineering program.