USI students meet with President Obama during Tri-state visit

A group of 10 University of Southern Indiana engineering majors were honored to find themselves in the crowd of guests during President Barack Obama's visit to Princeton, Indiana on October 3. Obama visited Millennium Steel to discuss the future of manufacturing jobs and the economy, a subject close to home for the engineering majors.

"The president's speech highlighted favorable developments with regard to job prospects in the economy particularly in manufacturing as well as an ongoing challenge with regard to wage and income growth," said Dr. Mohammed Khayum, dean of the Romain College of Business. "The speech provided some promising signs of an improving economy which is encouraging to current students as they look ahead to what employment opportunities might be like when they graduate."

The students' invitation was offered after junior, Chelsea Hochstetler, formed a new club on campus called the Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Club, and was doing research for an Early Undergraduate Research Program project. Her research led her to Millennium Steel. "Part of what the club is about is getting industry leaders to come and speak to students and let them know what's going on in their career fields," said Hochstetler.

After the general manager of Millennium Steel spoke to the USI club members, he extended the invitation for the students to come to the company's Manufacturing Day to see a special guest speaker. "He couldn't tell me who was coming. He said it was somebody very important," said Hochstetler. When the students found out the guest was President Obama they couldn't believe their luck. "I thought my friend was joking when he told me it was the president coming to Millennium Steel," said junior, Jessee Swain. "I thought surely that's not the same thing I'm going to. I was pretty excited the whole week."

Swain even had the opportunity to ask the president a question. "I asked some specifics about the Rebuild America Act, which is an infrastructure bill. It's something I'm interested in as an engineering major wanting to go into the civil emphasis," said Swain.

Senior, Michael Smith, saw the president through a different lens. "I'm actually planning on going into the military after I graduate. So I looked at it like the person in this position is going to be my future boss."

Obama's speech hit home for the students as they contemplate their future career paths. "I liked learning about what he thought of our economy in this area, and how important he thought manufacturing jobs were," said Hochstetler.