From small town Illinois to engineering success
Coming from a small town where the highest math offered in high school was pre-calculus, Lueke found the leap to college-level calculus daunting. Yet, she embraced the challenge, relying on IC’s supportive professors and peer connections.
“The professors made the learning curve manageable,” she explained, praising office hours and collaborative study groups.
Lueke’s path to mechanical engineering at ¶¶Ňőpro was shaped by her love for hands-on learning. Her passion for understanding how things work drew her to the mechanical engineering major, and IC’s offered the perfect environment to bring her theoretical knowledge to life.
“I chose mechanical engineering because I like to apply math in real-world situations. It didn’t make sense to me until I saw it working,” she shared.
Lueke initially came to IC to play tennis, but her decision to pursue the 3:2 Dual Degree Program led her to combine her athletic and academic interests. This program, which previously didn’t offer a four-year degree in engineering, was one of the first to pave the way for a full program. With the support of assistant professor of physics Josiah Kunz ’12 and fellow students, she became part of a pioneering class that helped solidify the new engineering degree.
Lueke’s time at IC has been marked by transformative experiences in and out of the classroom. One standout experience was her internship at Berry Global in Evansville, Indiana. Tasked with reverse engineering a large machine, she and a fellow intern disassembled, measured and reassembled the parts using CAD software. They then created blueprints and prototypes for a CNC mill to produce in-house replacement parts — drastically reducing downtime and costs for the company.
“It was amazing to see the practical application of what I’d learned in class,” Lueke said. “The hands-on experience was eye-opening, and it solidified my passion for manufacturing and design.”
In addition to her internship, Lueke participated in studentfaculty research with Kunz, where they worked together on creating micro-super capacitors. “It was exciting to troubleshoot and learn together, not just have a professor tell me what to do. It made me feel like part of something groundbreaking,” she said.
With IC’s dedicated engineering space in the newly renovated Crispin Hall, Lueke was able to conduct her research and continue building her skills in state-of-the-art labs. “It’s great to have a space designed specifically for our program. The equipment and facilities are top-notch, and it’s exciting to see all the new technology we get to work with,” she remarked.
As Lueke prepares to graduate, her experiences at IC have given her the confidence to step into the next phase of her career. The hands-on learning, research opportunities, and internships have helped her build a portfolio of skills that she can take into the engineering field.
“It’s not just about solving equations. It’s about creating, designing, and working on real-world problems,” she said.
Looking ahead, Lueke plans to explore careers in additive and subtractive manufacturing, areas she discovered during her internship. With the knowledge and experience gained at IC, she’s excited for the future — ready to continue learning, growing and applying her skills in the world of engineering.
