My name is Jennifer Fugate and I graduated from Atoka High School back in the small town of Atoka, Oklahoma in 2009. I am now a Junior here at SMU majoring in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics and a specialization in Engineering Leadership.

I have interned at Raytheon for the past three summers where I have worked on Thermal Weapons Sights (TWS), Radar Systems (APS-MRFRS) and the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (ENVG) and MK47 programs. My first summer, I assisted in the testing and implementation of TWS by going to a firing range out in west Texas where I was given the opportunity to shoot actual machine guns in order to collect data on the sights to decrease quality issues. The following summer, I was able to travel with a team to a military base in Huntsville, AL where I tested the Radar System using TOW missiles as tracking targets. And this past summer, I learned how to use test equipment stations in order to troubleshoot failed units for Engineering Evaluation. From what I have figured out, Learning in the classroom is essential, however, learning in the real world is even more effective and crucial to a well-rounded student and individual.

After I completed this last summer’s internship, I traveled to the “Land Down Under” to the wonderful city of Melbourne, Victoria in southeastern Australia in order to study an entire semester abroad. Not only have I learned how to incorporate myself into an entirely new and different culture, but I have also learned how to succeed here, and figure out the balance between work and play. I have travelled all over the eastern coast of Australia all the way down to the island of Tasmania and have somehow managed to not miss a class yet! I accomplished my goals of going scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, petting an actual kangaroo, and visiting the opera house in Sydney.  I have also met some amazing new people along the way. Being in a different country has opened my eyes to the different ways that the world can be lived in and the wonderful differences in cultures that can and should be embraced.

While on campus at SMU, I am involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities. First and foremost, I am on the SMU Rowing Team. I have also been a member of the Society of Women Engineers where I served as Vice President of Internal Affairs as well as Conference Chair. I am a member of the Professional Engineering Fraternity, Theta Tau, where I have served as Intramurals Chair in the past. And lastly, I am also a member of APES (Ambassadors for Prospective Engineering Students), Engineering Floor Hall Council, and the Ballroom Dance Club, where I have served as Historian.

I chose to go to college at SMU not only because of the small classes, the beautiful buildings, and the friendly people, but because of all of the extra’s that the school had to offer such as internships and study abroad opportunities and how this school seemed to cater to the individual student and whatever they wanted to accomplish. I love being able to go to a school that actually has interest in each and every student and wants them to succeed in all of their endeavors, whatever they may be.