Greetings, and welcome to the 25th Anniversary of the Design Expo!
This year, we celebrate a momentous milestone—the 25th anniversary of both the Design Expo and the Enterprise Program, a pioneering initiative that has transformed experiential education. Since its inception, the Enterprise Program has been a national leader in hands-on, discovery-based learning, equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to tackle real-world challenges. It remains one of the most distinctive programs of its kind, bridging the gap between academic learning and industry experience in a way few others can.
We are honored to welcome students, faculty, industry sponsors, alumni, and esteemed guests. Your presence today is a testament to the lasting impact of Michigan Tech’s Senior Design Capstone and Enterprise programs. Year after year, we have watched students push the boundaries of innovation, solve complex problems, and collaborate across disciplines to create groundbreaking solutions. From cutting-edge technologies to sustainable advancements, their ingenuity and perseverance continue to inspire.
John Dewey once said, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” This philosophy is at the heart of experiential learning. Our students don’t just study theories—they apply them, refine them, and turn them into real-world impact. Their dedication, creativity, and problem-solving abilities drive projects that challenge conventions and contribute meaningful solutions to today’s most pressing challenges.
The success of these programs is made possible by the unwavering support of industry partners, faculty mentors, and university leadership. Through their commitment, the Enterprise and Senior Design Capstone programs have flourished, securing sponsorships from hundreds of companies and providing students with invaluable hands-on experiences. With guidance from dedicated faculty and seasoned industry leaders, these programs have become national models of experiential education—ones that universities across the country seek to learn from and emulate.
As Albert Einstein wisely noted, “Learning is experience. Everything else is just information.” The hands-on, project-based learning fostered through these programs ensures that our students are not only gaining knowledge but actively applying it—preparing them for dynamic careers and leadership roles. The projects on display today represent countless hours of dedication, critical thinking, and innovation, showcasing the real-world impact of experiential education. As we celebrate the achievements of our talented students and dedicated mentors, we also honor the journey that has shaped the legacy of the Design Expo.
We extend our deepest gratitude to our industry sponsors, whose investment in our students’ futures has been instrumental, and to our faculty and mentors, whose guidance has shaped this program into what it is today. This anniversary is not just a reflection on the past 25 years—it is a celebration of the future, one filled with continued innovation, learning, and success.
Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey. We look forward to an inspiring and memorable 25th Anniversary of the Design Expo!
Go Huskies!
Nagesh Hatti
- Director, The Enterprise Program and Chair, Enterprise Governing Board
- Advisor, ITOxygen
- nhatti@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2633
- M&M 722F
Leonard Bohmann
- Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
- Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- ljbohman@mtu.edu
- 906-487-2861
- M&M 703