WCU Stories      April 23, 2019

The Capstone Symposium of Western Carolina University’s College of Engineering and Technology will take place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, in the university’s Belk Building and Center for Applied Technology.

As part of their curriculum, teams of senior engineering and engineering technology students are required to complete a sponsored project in which they design and prototype a product, device, process or system for a regional North Carolina business or industry.

The symposium, which is free and open for the public to attend, is the culminating experience for the engineering and technology industry-sponsored capstone students.

“The engineering projects on display are the hallmark of our project-based learning approach to engineering education and provide our students tremendous opportunities to support the economic development of Western North Carolina in advanced manufacturing and engagement in our region,” said Jeffrey Ray, dean of WCU’s College of Engineering and Technology.

Among the regional manufacturers sponsoring projects are:

• Continental Automotive, Fletcher
• Aegis Power Systems, Murphy
• U.S. Navy Fleet Readiness Center, Cherry Point
• GE Aviation, Asheville
• Advanced Superabrasives, Mars Hill
• AVL Technologies, Asheville
• Edmonds Consulting, Franklin
• Eaton Corporation, Arden

“Capstone is a true partnership with our sponsoring companies,” said Andy Rittenour, program coordinator. “The engineering challenges presented provide the ultimate learning opportunity for our students. The collaborative program is critical to developing the engineering workforce necessary for continued economic development in our region.”

For more information, contact the College of Engineering and Technology at 828-227-7368.