Mechanical engineering students receive Baker College scholarships

Photo caption: Richard Cottrell, scholarship chair of the Jackson Chapter of the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE), presents a $1,000 scholarship to Brittany Marquart, of Reading, at the MSPE annual President’s Night dinner in May. Marquart is a second-year Baker College student working on a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Two students have each been awarded a $1,000 scholarship to pursue bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering at Baker College of Jackson.

Second-year Baker College student Brittany Marquart, of Reading, received the scholarship from the Jackson Chapter of the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE), and incoming freshman Jacob Minshall, of Jackson, received the scholarship from Baker College.

Both students chose careers in mechanical engineering because of the challenging subject matter.

“Brittany and Jacob are to be commended for pursuing careers that they believe will be challenging and rewarding,” said Steve Simpson, Ed.D., Baker College of Jackson chief academic officer. “They are indicative of the high-caliber students that are attracted to our new mechanical engineering bachelor’s program. We are especially appreciative of the support provided to it by the Jackson Chapter of the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers.”

Marquart carries a 4.0 GPA and expects to graduate in 2019. She is a 2014 graduate of Reading High School.

Minshall, a 2015 graduate of Northwest High School, also noted that the strong demand for mechanical engineers in the workplace was a factor in his career selection.

The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated the annual salary of a mechanical engineer was $87,140 in 2014.

This is the first year that the MSPE Jackson Chapter has designated a scholarship for a Baker College of Jackson student. Since the chapter was founded in 1947, it has focused on promoting engineering as a profession. The scholarship is intended to encourage students to pursue engineering and to foster the next generation of professional engineers.

For more information about Baker College of Jackson’s mechanical engineering program, contact Kevin Pnacek at kevin.pnacek@baker.edu or the admissions office at 517.788.7800.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 28,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 150 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker is a pioneer in online education and offers students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.