Mark Hoffman '03 dreams of one day heading a
performance team for a car manufacturer.
So, when the mechanical engineering major isn't busy
in the materials testing lab modeling the growth of
three-dimensional cracks near bimaterial
interfaces, he is applying his manufacturing and design skills to produce a
rear suspension for the College's 2003 entry in the Society for
Automotive Engineers Mini Baja car competition.
Hoffman, a native of Petersburgh, N.Y., was
recently named a Barry Goldwater Scholar, one of 309
students selected from a nationwide pool of 1,155 nominees. It carries
a $7,500 stipend toward Hoffman's senior year.
A Union Scholar, Hoffman last year designed and built
a large-scale model of a medieval trebuchet, analyzing the
components to maximize throwing distance.
Hoffman studied on a mini-term in New Zealand last
year, recently presenting with Dennis Quandt '03 at the
Steinmetz Symposium on issues in hydroelectric energy, a case study of
the Manapouri Power Station.
Since last summer, he has been involved in research
with Prof. William Keat to determine crack growth direction
near bimaterial interfaces.
He is a member of Pi Tau Sigma, the mechanical
engineering honor society; Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering
honor society; American Society for Mechanical Engineers, the
rugby club and Dutch Pipers.
His brother, Jeff Hoffman, graduates this year.
Mark Hoffman says he plans to pursue graduate school at
an institution that has an automotive engineering program.