Derek Recker

Entering university as an engineering student, I knew I wanted to be the kind of engineer who was not afraid of getting his hands dirty. After around two years of solving equations and staring at formulas, my eyes were opened to a whole new area of study. I started out learning machining and prototyping principals through the manufacture and assembly of a two cylinder air motor. From that point on, along with my typical science-based studies, I was lucky enough to sprinkle in product design, manufacturing, 3D modeling, and CAD/CAM classes. This led me to my current position as a graduate teaching associate, teaching the very class that sparked my interest in product design and manufacturing.