April 28, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 16)
Rock Phelps, who is majoring in product design and manufacturing engineering, works to shape a horseman’s axe in the Keller Engineering Laboratories ahead of the Cast in Steel competition.
The Padnos College of Engineering and the Steel Founders’ Society of America hosted nearly 60 university teams competing in the Cast in Steel competition at the Shape Corp. Innovation Design Center in mid-April.
The competition challenges teams to design, cast and test a fully functional metal tool or weapon. This year's challenge was a horseman's axe. Before a television production crew, teams competed with their axes in a series of physical challenges.
The GVSU Casting Club sent two teams to the competition. Mechanical engineering major Aleena Curry said that while the "Axecutioners" did not advance to the finals, they enjoyed watching other teams.
"While we were nervous, we were glad to see that our axe held up against the strength and sharpness tests," Curry said. "As the host team for the competition, it was nice to be so close to home and in a familiar place."
Abishek Balsamy-Kamaraj, assistant professor of product design and manufacturing engineering, serves as the Casting Club advisor.
This article was last edited on April 22, 2026 at 11:16 a.m.
Participants spent 10 weeks in an accelerator program offered by the DeVos Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, in partnership with GVSU's Northern Michigan Region.
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July 14, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 19)
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The vice president for Enrollment Development and College Futures discusses the successful launch of "The Pathways Project Podcast."
July 14, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 19)
Messages during the keynote presentations and breakout sessions focused on authentic communication and practical ways to tell the GVSU story.
July 14, 2026 (Volume 49, Number 19)
Article by
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