Student spotlight: Hannah Fudge
"Since high school, I have worked at Waupaca Foundry on the floor and as an intern, and I have loved the manufacturing environment. As an engineer, I can be involved in process design and testing in a factory setting, which is an exciting prospect for me. " - Hannah Fudge
Hannah E. Fudge
Current program/major: Chemical Engineering
High School Attended: Homeschooled
Why did you choose your program/major? Chemistry was the first science class I truly enjoyed in high school. I was homeschooled, learning mostly on my own, and I devoured my chemistry lessons. My dad is an engineer, and he encouraged me to choose that field of study because engineering is so diverse, so it seemed very reasonable to me then to major in chemical engineering.
What are you learning about your career field that you find interesting or rewarding? When I started college, I developed a deeper love for math and science, which is an encouragement to continue on my degree path. As a chemical engineer, I will use my science background to problem-solve and think on my feet in a production or design setting. I do not know the options I will have as an engineer, but right now, what I love most about my degree path is learning more about how the world works through chemistry and math.
Who is your favorite professor or staff member? The best thing about UWFox is the quality of teaching I have received. All my math and science professors have helped me so much and have been real encouragements to me.
Professor Gibson was my (very patient) lab instructor for two semesters of general chemistry. He has given me great wisdom and encouragement when I have doubted my career path, and he was always willing to help me with problems. By his example, I have become a better tutor.
My physics professor, John Beaver, helped me succeed in one of my most difficult courses. He is always willing to answer questions I had on labs and homework, but he is also totally happy to have conversations on physics topics completely unrelated to our class. It is fun to go off on tangents, even if I do not completely understand everything. This semester, I am doing an independent study with him researching photographic processes, and it is a blast: we are both learning a lot!
What do you plan to do after UWFox? I am completing my fifth semester here (Super Sophomores for the win!), so this spring I will transfer to either Madison or Michigan Tech to complete my degree.
What advice do you have for incoming UWFox students? Absolutely get to know your professors. They are invaluable sources of (correct) information. They love to answer questions, and they will do whatever they can to help a student who cares about learning.
Following that: take advantage of the Learning Resource Center and Math Lab on campus. The tutors there are students who have made it through all the same classes as freshmen and sophomores and are always willing to help and answer questions.
