Student Mission

Study Tour

During the summer of 2014, Dr. Boon-Chai Ng, a professor of Engineering at Andrews, led a study tour to Singapore (see picture above) where students volunteered their time. Pictured above, Andrews engineering students refurbished a pathway for a church.

View the full article here.

Senior Design Projects

For their senior project in 2012, engineering students Adam Shull and Spencer Groff worked with Dr. Kwon to create a portable water treatment system intended for missionary use. They chose this project because many volunteers and employees for service-oriented organizations are sent to countries with inadequate water supplies. The water purifier system designed by Shull and Groff can provide clean water for thirty people for up to thirty days. (Source-Page 11)

Robbie Polski is a recent engineering graduate from Andrews. He was the first president of the student chapter of EWB, and he is currently pursuing his PhD degree at the California Institute of Technology. Pictured above, Robbie (right) and his partner, Brian Shockey (left), created a “Low-Power Piezoelectric Angular Positioning System” for their senior project. This device can maximize solar energy harvest by positioning the solar concentrators towards the sun using minimal power.

Engineers Without Borders

Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) is a nonprofit humanitarian organization established to support community-driven development programs worldwide through partnerships that design and implement sustainable engineering projects, while creating transformative experiences that enrich global perspectives and create responsible leaders. The EWB model bases its structure on meeting the expressed needs of communities by establishing long-term contact with representatives, utilizing support from the vast professional basis of EWB-USA, and collaborating to holistically address the needs of the problem. With our established chapter here on the campus of Andrews University, we will work towards appropriate solutions for water supply, sanitation, energy, agriculture, civil works, structures and information systems. (Source)

 “Joining Engineers Without Borders will help us to continue fulfilling our mission of service and meeting people’s needs. It will give us the framework to use our engineering skills in design, collaboration, and service to further Christ’s mission.” – Dr. Boon-Chai Ng on implementing an Engineers Without Borders chapter at Andrews

“Joining Engineers Without Borders will help us to continue fulfilling our mission of service and meeting people’s needs...

Engineering students involved in Andrews University’s Engineers Without Borders chapter were able to attend the 2016 Internation Summit in Denver, Colorado. Pictured above is the current president of the Andrews EWB chapter, Nathan Verrille (right), and members Phillip “TC” Coleman (left) and Andrew Gagiu (center).

View the full 2016 International Summit story here.

- Nathan Verrill – Class of 2017
o  Current President the Andrews EWB Chapter

“As an Andrews University student, and a follower of Christ, I have a responsibility to share my skills and resources with those who do not have the same opportunities.”                          - Nathan Verrill

- Phillip “TC” Coleman – Class of 2018
o  Active member of the Andrews EWB Chapter

“Instead of merely serving my own altruistic motives, I now see the most important aspect of service is building a relationship with the community we desire to help.” – Phillip “TC” Coleman after the 2016 International Summit
 

Mission-Oriented Projects

Dr. Kwon’s lab is developing a low cost alternative to conventional lab testing. The new diagnostic devices require minimal instrumentation, to make it easily available at the time of disaster or in the budget-tight mission field. In recent years, the paper became a new frontier in development of POC device

“Both we [the faculty] and our students are passionate about choosing projects and conducting research that make an impact on society. Engineering is about how to make life better for others. That is what I do, and that is what I teach.” - Kwon

The so-called Paper

Analytic Device (PAD) often employs a colorimetric detection scheme as it can be easily detected by eyes or cell phone apps. The electrochemical detection method is also a popular detection method to quantify the analytes. We are currently developing a paper based biosensor with colorimetric detection, electrochemiluminescent (ECL) detection that is merged with cell phone apps.  “Both we [the faculty] and our students are passionate about choosing projects and conducting research that make an impact on society. Engineering is about how to make life better for others. That is what I do, and that is what I teach.” - Kwon

Missionary

Michael Hess – Class of 2016
Missionary

Michael Hess is a recent graduate of Engineering with honors. He is planning for his one-year mission in the Philippines before pursuing his PhD degree.

Donate to the Engineering Mission Fund:
https://www.andrews.edu/go/give/EngMissFund