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Student Profile: Zachary Johnson

Engineering student Zachary Johnson thinks WPU is alive with opportunity. “At Penn, you have many opportunities to be involved in clubs and activities. Take a chance on anything that interests you. Penn fosters advancement. I have grown in many aspects since my first year and that is exactly what Penn allows you to do. This institute has given me the ability to make a statement as a William Penn Statesman, and you can, too,” Zachary Johnson says to his fellow Penn students. He understands the importance of getting involved as he is the captain of the Cross Country and Track teams, a member of the Computer Club, and was a part of the Student Government Association his sophomore year.

Being a part of these organizations has given him the opportunity to do a variety of things, including participating in the Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE) event in Seattle, WA. Zachary and other Computer Club members attended the event to network with professionals and learn more about what technology has to offer. “Due to the support of our professors and the diligence of our students, we can engage in trips like SIGCSE,” he says.

Hailing from Decatur, IL, Zachary is a Mechanical Engineering student at WPU, minoring in Industrial Technology and Physics. He has been praised by professors, such as Jim Hoeksema, who enjoys Zach’s excellent skill set and great attitude. “He’s a rock star in our program,” says Jim. For his hard work at William Penn, Zach received the President’s Participation Award for involvement in school and his interaction with other students and professors.

When deciding on where to attend college, Zachary chose WPU because it offered his preferred major of Mechanical Engineering, attending gave him the ability to continue participating in athletics, and the small student to teacher ratio. He was pleased to find that the modest class size allowed for a deeper connection with professors as well as more meaningful discussion and guidance in class.

Zachary is participating in the 3 + 2 Mechanical Engineering program partnership with Iowa State University. When he completes the program he will have earned his B.A. from William Penn and his B.S.E from Iowa State.

When he’s not attending classes or practices, Zachary enjoys reading and running. He is also an intern at Musco Sports Lighting, LLC. in Oskaloosa, IA. As an intern, he has been given the opportunity to conduct structural tests, make design changes, and engage in other engineering projects. He has been given responsibility over projects because of the skill set that was acquired from Penn. Zachary collaborates with engineers and has been able to apply what he has learned in the classroom to his internship.

After his graduation, he plans to attend graduate school and one day become a design engineer.

Zachary Johnson by the solar battery plates