William Robert (Robby) Hicks, III

In the 5-year BS/MS program, I was able to obtain a master's degree with one additional calendar year of classes after receiving my bachelor's degree. The program allowed me to choose my own area of study, and with the guidance of my faculty advisor, Dr. Gene Hou, I was able to form a curriculum that met the departmentís requirements and satisfied my own interests and goals. After graduation, I was offered a job as a design engineer at the Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. The fact that I was able to focus my graduate curriculum in the area I wanted to work proved to be invaluable. I was not only qualified to get the position as a design engineer but also prepared specifically for the job. My experience as a research assistant and the master's degree are what set me apart from other recent graduates. I am proud to be the first graduate of the 5-year BS/MS program in the department of Mechanical Engineering, and I would encourage others to take advantage of this unique opportunity.