Building Something New: HSU Engineering Students Launch Real-World Solutions

The engineering program at Hardin-Simmons University is still in its early years, but you wouldn’t know it by watching students in the program work.

With only a few semesters under their belts, students in the mechanical engineering department are already making a campus-wide impact through hands-on design projects that blend technical skill and collaboration.

As University Recreation searched for a way to better organize the functional training area in Fletcher Fitness Center, a new campus partnership emerged—one that bridged academics and student life.

“It took a little bit of thinking, but it was Dr. Jackson who gave us the idea,” said junior mechanical engineering student Jeremiah Richard, from Katy, Texas. “He reached out to a few departments on campus, and University Recreation Director Chantelle Lancaster said she was interested. She had piles of dumbbells, yoga mats, and other items just kind of in the corner. It was presentable and neat, but we knew we could make it better.”

This project, part of the Advanced Mechanics and Design course, is a milestone for students in HSU’s first engineering cohort. The course focuses on the fundamentals of machine components and design, phases and interaction of the design process, and design considerations and methodology. At the end of the semester, students are required to deliver a working prototype of their design to put their classroom knowledge and skills into practice.

Screenshots of the design and analysis phases of the project.

For Brandon Still, a member of the Class of 2026 from Brownwood, Texas, the program represents a personal journey of growth.

“This project reflects a lot of the growth and maturity I’ve gained since coming to Hardin-Simmons. I originally came for football, but when I found out the engineering program was starting, I knew this was where I needed to be. It just felt right,” shared Still. “That first year was tough. After just three days of college classes, I was ready to quit. But I didn’t give up. I’ve learned how to balance a busy schedule with work, football, and school. This project has challenged me in all of those areas. Even though it seems like a simple rack, it took a lot of analyzing, designing, and redesigning to make it work, and that’s pushed me to grow.”

The student team worked through every phase of the engineering design process: identifying a need, creating and testing multiple design iterations, running safety simulations, and working within a tight $700 budget. They even sourced materials locally and partnered with the engineering department’s Fab Shop staff to manufacture the final product.

“We needed to run an analysis and make sure it was functional and safe,” said team member Jorge Perales-Garcia, a student from Rotan, Texas. “We used hand calculations and computer simulations, and when we ran into roadblocks—whether it was materials, costs, or time—we just kept pivoting.”

For students and faculty alike, the project showcased a meaningful collaboration that will better serve the HSU community.

“The students assigned to the project have done an exceptional job with communication and keeping an open mind,” said Chantelle Lancaster, director of University Recreation. “They send regular updates, schedule meetings to discuss next steps, and are very receptive to making changes and pivoting the design to better meet the needs of our members in the Fletcher Fitness Center.”

With large projects like this, students find comfort in the words of 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Final renderings of the design for the project.

“The takeaway from this verse, in my opinion, is not just to be intentional with what you do and strive to do it well, but also to approach it with a good attitude,” said Perales-Garcia. “This project has come with its fair share of stress—complications, delays, and a lot of tedious work—but this verse reminds me to stay positive. When it becomes the motto of your actions, it’s much easier to face challenges without complaining.”

While being part of the first engineering cohort has its challenges, students found it meaningful—and even exciting—to know they’re helping shape the course for future generations.

“We didn’t want this project to just check a box,” said Richard. “We wanted to exceed expectations and allow room for growth. We wanted to help those now and in the future.”

The project highlights the intentional design of HSU’s engineering program—a curriculum built to provide hands-on experiences that benefit students and the broader community.

“As the first cohort through our engineering program, these three students have faced some unique challenges, but the work they have done on this project more than lives up to the high expectations set by the faculty and HSU’s academic tradition,” said Dr. Matt Jackson, dean of the Holland School of Science and Mathematics and engineering professor. “Our program is designed to be quite intentional in the hands-on engineering experience that is both practical and impactful for the students, our community, and industry partners. These types of projects are pivotal for the student educational experience and will be a hallmark of HSU engineering as we move forward.”

And for a young program still growing into its potential, it’s a sign of what’s to come.