Alumni and Donors

Dinner with da Vinci

Each spring, da Vinci Circle members are invited to the annual da Vinci Circle dinner. Pictured (from left) are da Vinci Circle members Joan Kohlhoff and Joe Gervasio, guest Terry Welsh and da Vinci Circle board member Karl Kohlhoff.

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Da Vinci Scholar Profile

Kevin Smith

Systems Engineering • Class of 2012 • From Reading, Pa.

Why engineering?
I chose engineering because I am good at solving problems and enjoy fixing and putting things together. Math and science have always intrigued me.

What kind of engineering?
I chose systems engineering because of my previous experience with electronics integrated into power plant systems.

What’s in your future?
I see myself contributing to and improving the world by improving energy efficiency and usability of power plant systems, including the integration of solar energy.

How has da Vinci helped?
Not only has the da Vinci scholarship helped me with school funding, it has allowed me to stay flexible with purchases for school projects. It helped me fund some of the research and development in my senior design project. I will save the rest of the scholarship so that I can afford my final semester at UA when my military benefits expire.

What are your favorite UA memories?
Football and basketball games: It is great to take a break from studying and watch the Wildcats score some points. The student section is intense and very supportive.

What are your hobbies and pastimes?
My hobbies are camping, rock climbing, spelunking, hiking and snowboarding. When I am not doing these, I usually study and work on homework.

What might surprise people about you?
I spent six years in the service working as an electronics technician and a nuclear reactor operator in submarines. I have had two deployments serving on the submarine U.S.S. Philadelphia, which is now decommissioned.

Describe a remarkable experience.
Recently, I did something crazy and went skydiving for the first time. I'm from the Northeastern U.S. where skydiving trips are uncommon. In Arizona, skydiving is much more common and accessible. The jump was not as scary as I thought -- I think of it like jumping off a diving board for the first time.

What else?
I believe that a good education will get you far in this world. Not only is college experience a résumé builder, it will help you learn the tools for success for the real world. There are many opportunities on this campus to branch out into outside clubs and organizations, and if you ask lots of questions, you will build a great network of friends and supporters. These people can help you enhance your future.