Lewie L. Bates III, Mechanical Engineering

Degrees
BS in Mechanical Engineering ('98)
MS in Mechanical Engineering ('00)

Current Residence
Madison, Alabama

Current Employer
NASA - Marshall Space Flight Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

What influenced your decision to attend Herff College of Engineering?
I had two desires. First, I wanted to change careers. I had spent nineteen years in private sector health care and hated it. Second, my wife convinced me that even though I was forty-one, I was not too old to return to school and obtain a degree that would open the door to a new career.

How did Herff prepare you for your career?
Herff did everything correctly. I wanted a career in Aerospace. Within one month of defending my Master's thesis, I had three job offers, all in Aerospace.

What skills or knowledge did you learn throughout the program that you found most helpful in your career?
Herff taught me many helpful skills —too many to count. However, I am a liquid propulsion systems guy. Thus, my classes in fluid mechanics, both viscous and invisible, have been invaluable.

Who was your most impactful professor? Why?
Without a doubt, this person was John Hochstein. Dr. "H," as I called him, was a dear friend and an outstanding professor. Dr. "H" served as my major advisor while I was a graduate student. He convinced me that pursuing a new career, even at my age, was realistic and doable.

Were you involved in student groups? If so, which one(s)?
I was invited to join Pi Tau Sigma and did. It was an honor, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I still have my lapel pin.

What support(s) did you have during your time as a college student? How did you keep focused on the goal?
My biggest fan and supporter was my wife. She is largely responsible for my 25 wonderful years with NASA. Maintaining focus on my schoolwork was a no-brainer. I knew that I was accomplishing my dreams.

What was your greatest memory from your time at Herff?
My Bachelor of Science commencement ceremony. My daughter, who just received her Masters degree, was an infant and was there.

What advice would you give those considering enrolling in Herff College of Engineering?
Go do it!!! Be prepared and willing to work hard, but go do it.

What do you know now that you wish you had known during your time at Herff?
My time at Herff and the two degrees I received have been a wonderful blessing. I hoped this would be the case while I was there, but now I know it.

Was your Herff experience worth the price? If you could do it over again, what would you do differently?
It was worth the price. I would not do anything differently.