Over 20 students from the CAECM Department’s Professional Construction Society and Habitat for Humanity student organizations collaborated with Servant-Leadership at MSOE to organize a playground design competition for Cross Trainers Academy, a K-12 school affiliated with the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. Five interdisciplinary teams completed a needs assessment for the school and provided the organization several design options for a playground. In fall of 2019, MSOE students will continue their involvement with the school which serves children from families who are experiencing homelessness.

MSOE works to support the efforts of Milwaukee Empty Bowls throughout the year. This partnership provides MSOE students with opportunities to apply the knowledge they acquire through their academic studies to serve the community and practice servant leadership theory on various projects throughout the year. In spring of 2018 a student in the Technical Communication Program created a new website for the non-profit organization as part of her practicum experience. Another student in the Technical Communication Program at MSOE is creating an educational video as part of her practicum during the summer of 2018. Additionally, Servant-Leadership at MSOE sponsored a bowl making party for 15 students to help them take a break from studying before final exams. The bowls that they created where donated to the fundraiser that will be held at the Kern Center in October of 2018.

A group of civil engineering students traveled to Tanzania as part of a senior project focused on a dam construction feasibility study. The project was initiated by senior Constantine Moshi, an international student with a special connection to Tanzania – it’s the place he calls home. In addition to surveying, student teams evaluated soil and rock; gathered rain and river gauge information; and researched local construction practices, including materials, costs, and cultural aspects that would be considerations in the final design. During the spring semester, MSOE students split into two design teams of four students, with two student-consultants who worked with both teams. The teams independently developed three dam alternatives chosen from the winter quarter. Throughout the process MSOE teams were in regular communication with USDM students, who conducted the labs and soil tests. The preliminary design on viable dam options – a total of six – were assembled into a feasibility study.

To commemorate the servant leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., MSOE students participated in a dedicated day of service on January 18th, with student organizations getting involved. A school supply drive was held that created 100 bags of supplies for the students at the Milwaukee Math and Science Academy. Students crafted appreciation cards for those serving our country. Inspirational notes were written for women who are battling breast cancer. Over 200 sandwiches were made to give to the local shelters across the Milwaukee Area. Fifty birthday boxes were made for kids who typically don’t get to celebrate their birthday. Even the kids from Our Next Generation joined in on the fun and participated alongside MSOE students to help out their community. The numerous service activities made it easy for students to get involved and participate in the event!

MSOE’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders demonstrated their commitment to servant-leadership on a trip to Chitom, Joyabaj in Guatemala to build a new primary school as well as a septic system. Seven MSOE students and a professor from MSOE coordinated the initial project in the USA before travelling to Guatemala over their spring break vacation to begin the work. A three room school house was designed, as well as a retaining wall, bathroom facility, and a septic field. The community continued the project on their own and the school was operational in August of 2015.

This year, 60 MSOE students volunteered their time to lengthen a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk on the shores of the lagoon at Blue Lotus Farm and Retreat Center in Newburg, Wisconsin. Since 2006, approximately 1,000 MSOE students have been involved in projects at Blue Lotus. Most recently, students completed the third phase of the deck project, which extended the five-foot wide boardwalk 80 feet. The extension was made of recycled decking and was built low to the ground, with safety bumpers along the sides for visitors in wheelchairs. This long-term relationship with Blue Lotus has provided students with countless opportunities to strengthen their leadership skills while serving those in need.

Students in the MSOE University Scholars Honors Program volunteered to clean up and improve Weber’s Greenhouse, a community business that donates plants to non-profits. The students collected plants helped design the community garden in the historical Harambee neighborhood.

MSOE students played a key role in helping build Kayla’s Playground in Franklin, Wisconsin this past September. With guidance from Servant-Leadership at MSOE, nearly 50 students helped construct the all-abilities playground dedicated to the memory of a young girl. MSOE students were responsible for designing and installing the musical components and mural on a bridge for the playground. MSOE athletes, Circle K members, members of Sigma Lambda Chi Honors Society, and other students were servant-leaders on this project. Students took their knowledge from the classroom and applied it in this real world experience.

Throughout the 2013-2014 academic year, the American Society of Engineering Education helped organize tutoring for school age children on campus once a week. Approximately a dozen MSOE students tutor these students from Our Next Generation. These young children will likely be first-generation college bound and this is just one step along the way.

Professor Leitzke led three students to Padibe, Uganda. The previous year one of these students helped to design a building to house a sunflower press for the village. As a result of the sunflower press the GDP of Uganda has increased by 2%. This year’s group from MSOE returned to teach the people of Padibe best practices in making concrete for use in constructing light-weight latrine slabs with bamboo reinforcement. As part of a cultural exchange, the elders in the village taught the group how to build a traditional Acholi hut.

Tim DeLeo, an Air Force veteran and EE student at MSOE developed the interactive robot in an independent study called Project Management and Servant Leadership. Funding for this robot was provided by the Brady Corp. The robot helps children learn and have fun at the same time. The interactive display includes information about a bee’s life, based on the book’s content.

Servant-Leadership at MSOE sponsored the 18th annual Milwaukee Empty Bowls event. The event uses art to heighten hunger awareness and raise funds that help support food pantries and meal programs in Milwaukee. In 2017 there were over 300 volunteers, 35 restaurants, three bakeries and more than 2,000 attendees who raised a record $66,000 for seven charities. Servant-Leadership coordinated MSOE’s involvement of over 80 student volunteers. Additionally, throughout the year, MSOE students supported Milwaukee Empty Bowls in their needs as a non-profit. For example, a student in Leading Project Teams produced a promotional video for the non-profit.