Samantha Hoover, mechanical engineering senior, was awarded the Charles T. Main Student Section Leadership Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The award recognizes a current ASME undergraduate student member whose leadership and service qualities have contributed to the programs and operations of an ASME student society for more than one year.

“I have met some great volunteers while involved with ASME, so when I got nominated for the award, I saw that as an achievement in itself,” said Hoover. “I am over the moon with excitement that my work was seen as what ASME is wanting from their student leaders.”

Hoover received the 2021 Silver Medal for revitalizing the ASME Student Section at MSOE through three years of outstanding service as president, and for leadership efforts at the regional level to help other student sections improve and grow. The award consists of a $2,000 honorarium, a silver medal and a certificate.

“I had a drive to succeed and wanted to do everything in my power to be a great leader within the organization. I have put a lot of time and dedication into growing our ASME student section and ASME in general. I am beyond excited and honored to have received this award.” 

Hoover joined AMSE as a freshman at MSOE and her passion for the organization quickly grew after attending meetings and plant tours with the group. After her first year with ASME, she was nominated by the former president to fill his position. She was then voted in and served as president from 2018 to 2021. As president she was responsible for leading officers, implementing new programs that supported students and creating new events that provided industry knowledge, networking and/or hands-on experiences.

ASME officers helped support her goals. “I wanted every one of my officers to get the chance to lead a project, so each had an opportunity to come up with a project plan and execute the plan.”

Hoover is grateful for the experiences ASME provided her over the years, her favorite being a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah to attend the Student Leadership Training Conference in 2019.

After graduation this May, Hoover is taking her technical and leadership skills to Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery where she will serve as a mechanical engineer. As an alumna she hopes to continue her involvement with ASME.

“I still plan on being heavily involved with ASME after graduation. I would like to volunteer with the Milwaukee Professional section and hopefully within a committee at the national level of AMSE.”