ENGR 0715: Engineering Applications for Society

Luther Schalk

The Student

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is the one at the top of the page (no, not ENGR 0715). I have come to Pittsburgh from Sabattus, ME, a small town in backwoods New England. I was taught at home throughout high school, so college is a new and fascinating experience for me. My family moved to Maine from Columbus, OH, about five years ago, and I moved to Pittsburgh last August for school. They tell me I'm quite the traveler, but the sad truth is that I've never been west of the Mississippi, south of the Mason-Dixon line, or north of the border. Someday, I intend to change that.

Right now, though, I am devoting my efforts to college. I chose to study engineering because I have always liked and enjoyed math and sciences. My father also influenced me to pursue engineering; he is an engineer himself and is happy with his career. If I had had to declare a major straight out of high school, I would not have hesitated for a moment; I knew I wanted chemical engineering. However, now that I have had more opportunity to survey the whole spectrum of choices, I am pulled in three directions by chemical engineering, civil engineering, and engineering physics. Anyway, I love engineering so far, and I am sure that my major will stay in this school.

My home in Pittsburgh is off-campus with some very good friends from church. When I am not at school, on the bus, or doing homework, I enjoy playing soccer, listening to classical music, playing piano and drums, or studying on the side. I am interested in geography, astronomy, history, and languages, among others. I enjoy spending time with my church friends, doing any activity we can agree on.

The Project

Development of Hill District Walking Routes

Community partner: Hill House Association

Team 7: Hillhouse B

Members:

  1. Robert Carey
  2. Alex Patterson
  3. Luther Schalk
  4. Zachary Zerby
Related Links:
  • Find the Rivers! This community partnership, involving the Hill House Association, is concerned with the redevelopment of and community connection to Pittsburgh's beautiful riverfront areas.
  • Project History. This is the beginning of our project. Last year several students in this class created walking routes in the Hill District, and our job is to finish what they started.
  • Riverlife.This joint public/private partnership is working for the redevelopment of Pittsburgh's waterfront areas, including a large park spanning the banks of all three major rivers.