MechSE Alum Dies in Accident

7/5/2012 By Anna Flanagan

Matthew WilhelmMatthew Wilhelm, who completed his MSME degree in May, died on September 7 after being hit by an automobile while riding his bike on September 2.

Written by By Anna Flanagan

Matthew Wilhelm
Matthew Wilhelm
Matthew Wilhelm
Matthew Wilhelm, who completed his MSME degree in May, died on September 7 after being hit by an automobile while riding his bike on September 2.

Matt earned a BSME from our department in 2004, with minors in Mathematics and in Technology and Management. He programmed for the departmental web site, and did research in the Center for Machine Tool Systems. He continued here in graduate school, working in the Polymer Processing Lab and completing his MSME degree in May 2006.

Matt was an outstanding student. His many academic honors included membership in both Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma, as well as the Senior 100 Honorary and Bronze Tablet. He was a Chancellor's Scholar, a James Scholar, and on the Dean's List. He received the ASME Outstanding Junior Award, the department's H.H. Korst Award for scholarship in thermal sciences, and the Clarence L. and Harriette Johnson Award as one of the department's best undergraduate students. As a graduate student he held an FMC Fellowship.

Matt was extremely active in student societies. For ASME he served as Webmaster, Social Chair, and Engineering Open House Chair, organizing exhibits that won third place in EOH two years in a row. He was also involved in SAE, Engineering Council, SME, and the Society of Business and Management Engineers. Matt was deeply committed to Campus Crusade for Christ, and spent many of his vacations doing service activities with that group. He held internships with Caterpillar and with General Electric Aircraft Engines, and had recently accepted a permanent job at Caterpillar.

Matt was known for his ready smile and his upbeat approach to life. He was passionate about helping anyone who needed it, and he tutored everyone from high school students to classmates. His friends will remember his scruffy baseball cap, his insistence on wearing short pants no matter how cold the weather, and his enthusiasm for whatever was coming next.

As our department experiences this loss, we join in sending our heartfelt condolences to Matt's parents, family, and friends.


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This story was published July 5, 2012.