Farewell to our Graduating Makers of Spring 2020
Written by Saron Mussie
With the Spring 2020 semester coming to an end, it is that time of year to say goodbye to our parting seniors at the MIX. Get to know our graduating makers and their plans after college.
Dexter Hubbard, a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering, is a Maker Consultant teaching 3D printing and modeling workshops as well as assisting students with their own projects. In his free time, Dexter does 3D printing for his personal projects and woodworking. When asked what he liked most about the MIX, Dexter emphasized: “the creativity [the MIX] facilitates and how it provides students with the tools to learn and build.” After graduation, Dexter plans to stay at Mason to work on his master’s degree in Systems Engineering.
Cameron Strunk-Hoover is majoring in Global Affairs concentrating in Russia and Central Asia with a minor in Intelligence Analysis. As a MIX Maker Consultant, Cameron held workshops for photogrammetry, laser cutting, cement casting/mold making, and 3D printing. Cameron has also built, repaired, and maintained the MIX’s 3D printers, assisted students with designing and prototyping 3D prints, and assisted students with the laser cutter. Cam shares that “the MIX allowed me to explore hobbies and activities [my] degree would not have allowed during my time at Mason.” Outside of his work at the MIX, Cam designs his own products for Magic the Gathering which he sells on his Etsy shop, work on his own maker projects at home using his own 3D printer and work on his cement projects. Cam also volunteers as a Special Olympics coach for the past two years. After graduation, Cam will be joining the police department to gain government work experience.
Bradford Webb is the Arduino Maker Specialist for the MIX. When at the MIX, Bradford leads Arduino workshops and assisting students with their 3D printing projects. Bradford shared that he “loved the staff he worked with at the MIX.” He also loved that he was able to reinforce what he had learned in class at work. He also worked with some technologies that he may not have learned in the classroom. When not working at the MIX, Bradford works for a startup called Blue Vigil. This semester, Bradford will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering. After college, Bradford plans to lock down a full-time job, work on some personal projects, spend some time in NOVA Labs, and play more video games.
MIX Maker Denys Kuratchenko spent the last two years educating students on 3D printing and maintaining/repairing FLA and SLA printing. Denys also assembled a large-scale 3D printed commonly called a hang printer with fellow MIX Maker Cameron Strunk-Hoover. Denys’ hobbies are motorcycling and 3D printing. What Denys liked most about the MIX was the exposure to a wide variety of students’ projects and utilizing 3D printing to best assist them. Denys will be graduating with a degree in Information Systems and Operations Management (ISOM) this summer. After graduation, Denys plans to look for a full-time job related to IT or business while pursuing a master’s degree in Additive Manufacturing at Pennsylvania State University.
We had an absolute blast working with these talented individuals. We at the MIX wishes them the best of luck as they venture off into the next step of their lives. We will miss you guys and congratulations!