Matthew Greer: Outstanding senior in aerospace engineering

Clubs and activities

I have been involved in many different activities on campus, but primarily with SAE Aero Design and the Iowa State Marching Band Drumline. I have played tenor drums (quads) in the marching band drumline all four years and took on a section leader position for the tenor line this year. I served as the project director for SAE Aero Design during the ‘22-‘23 and ’23-’24 school years, and have worked to push new structural design and analysis boundaries with my work on the structures team this year.

Valuable hands-on learning in class

I truly appreciate the entire aerospace senior design process, as I feel like our teams were set up very well for success in a design, build, and fly process from scratch. From resources in knowledgeable professors and shop techs, as well as the room to try new ideas without major failures around every corner, I learned a ton about applying the skills and ideas we learned throughout all other courses to a full project.

Valuable out-of-the-classroom experience

The most valuable hands-on learning events for me had to be the SAE Aero Design competitions these past two springs in Van Nuys, CA and Benbrook, TX. Our team pushed through an incredible amount of adversity in the weeks leading up to, and the weekend of the events. I learned so much about having to work with a team in a stressful environment, being creative with reduced resources, and dealing with uncomfortable situations and heartbreaking news. These taught me so much about how I act in these stressful situations, and how a team can truly bond together in a time of need to be successful.

Most influential mentor

My most influential mentor has to be Luke Sesker, the drumline technician for the marching band here. He has taught me so much about how to be a good team member, a leader, and how to balance work and fun in a club. I have learned so much about mediating conflicts, handling delicate situations, and just being a better person by working with Luke, and I am incredibly thankful for that.

Best memory/greatest accomplishment

My favorite memory had to be the week-long trip to Orlando with the marching band for the Pop-Tarts Bowl this past December. We were on the road for over 60 hours in a long convoy of buses to get all 400 people down there, but that was an experience I will never forget. From the long rehearsal days, to the chaotic pep rallies, to the incredible game itself, that was some of the most fun I have ever had on a trip, surrounded by a group of people I truly love and have grown with. It was a great way to cap off my time in the ISUCF’V’MB, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Describe your major to someone who is unfamiliar with it

If it’s not firmly planted on the ground, there’s probably aerospace engineering involved with it. Whether that’s flying through the air, soaring through space, or even piloting a submarine underwater, aerospace engineers are at the forefront of making those machines possible. They say to shoot for the stars — it’s an aerospace engineer’s job to get you there.

Plans after graduation

I plan to take a full-time mechanical engineer position at Honeywell FM&T, and I plan on returning to school at some point in the near future to pursue a master’s degree.

Making my mark on the world

I hope to help the world continue innovating forward with the multitude of new technologies and ideas being created everywhere at a breakneck pace. Additionally, I hope to bring a level-headed approach to design and analysis wherever my career takes me, helping to aid people in the organization and within its reach where I can.

Engineering like a Cyclone Engineer

I think “Engineering like a Cyclone”means engineering holistically and realistically. All the courses I have taken emphasize designing for the best balance of all sub-systems in a problem, with continually analyzing these designs to both prevent failure and ensure they are actually producible. Being a Cyclone Engineer means pushing boundaries and making things happen.

What I’d tell my younger self about Iowa State

I have gained such a valuable appreciation for balance in all aspects of college, personal life, and preparing for the future. While time is always spread thin, finding a good way to balance that across studying, club commitments, work, and hanging out with friends has helped me immensely. I have also met so many incredible people as resources, peers, and friends that I will keep for life throughout this great community that makes up Ames. This is a great place to fit in and find your own ways to stand out.

Most inspiring location on campus

I definitely feel inspired in the Student Innovation Center. I spend a lot of time there, whether using conference rooms for tutoring, whiteboards when studying for exams, or the assembly bay in the basement with the variety of engineering clubs. There are so many people hard at work with their own stories and motivations in the SICTR, all creating a space that feels like a haven for engineering students and a place to think outside the box.