Every year successful engineers travel to Moscow to speak about their accomplishments for not only those interested in STEM fields, but for everyone.
The University of Idaho’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) will hold the 13th annual Dynamic Engineers Lecture Series Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Best Western University Inn.
The event will feature a presentation from Zachary Tudor, associate laboratory director of Idaho National Laboratory’s National and Homeland Security.
In his role as associate laboratory director, Tudor oversees missions relating to defense and homeland security. Some of the issues Tudor works with include safeguarding and securing vulnerable nuclear material, enhancing the overall security and resilience of the nation’s infrastructure, providing protective system solutions and manufacturing of armor for national defense.
“Tudor is someone that has blazed the trail. He is in charge of critical infrastructures, security and (works) with Department of Defense, Homeland Security, Medicaid – so many important government organizations. He is an important person,” Olaniyi Arowojolu, the NSBE club president, said.
Ernestina Boateng, NSBE’s secretary, said the goal behind the Dynamic Engineers Lecture series is to inspire everyone, not just engineers or people interested in STEM.
“The (Dynamic Engineers Lecture Series) is a platform where we invite a speaker to come and talk about what they’ve gone through in their life and how they made it to where they are now. (They) enlighten us, encourage us and motivate us,” Boateng said.
Boateng said the lecture is an opportunity for anyone to come listen to Tudor’s success story, get inspired and get motivated.
“Let’s do this together. We can get where we want to be,” she said.
The goals of the Dynamic Engineers Lecture Series align with the goals of NSBE.
“The mission and the aim of the club is to help students succeed academically and professionally. And at the same time, give back to society,” Arowojolu said.
The club achieves these goals by providing members with tutoring, scholarship opportunities and access to networking events. As for giving back to society, the club achieves this goal by visiting nearby high schools and encouraging people, especially people of color, to pursue careers in STEM, Arowojolu said
“We want to motivate people. We want people to know that no matter what comes your way, you can impact somebody’s life. You can achieve your dream,” Boateng said.
Shuttles will be available to pick up attendees from campus and bring them to the event center. The shuttles will be picking people up at the Wallace Complex bus stop, on the corner of 6th Street and Stadium Drive, and at the Idaho Student Union Building bus stop on University Avenue.
There are two pick up times: 4:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Shuttles will bring attendees back to campus when the event is over.
The event is free and open the public. Dinner will be served to those who RSVP ahead of time.
Savanna Estey can be reached at [email protected].