Class of 2023: Clark Bates
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Clark Bates will be the student speaker at the Fall 2023 College of Engineering and Polymer Science and College of Health and Human Sciences Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 1 p.m. in the James A. Rhodes Arena. He is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and he completed the co-op program. After graduation, Clark will begin his career as a design engineer at JLG Industries in Orrville, Ohio.
Degree and major: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Lancaster, Ohio
High School: Lancaster High School
Parents: Dan and Molly Bates
Q: What brought you to The University of Akron?
A: I was drawn to UA by the opportunities that its engineering program offers. That, combined with the smaller size of the school and the appeal of the Drs. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Honors College and its programming, made UA a great fit for me.
Q: What campus activities were you involved in?
A: I was president of Engineering Service Design Team (ESDT). Another group of which I was a member and officer was the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. In my first couple of years at the University I was also a part of the competitive pistol team, which was a great way to focus on something besides academics.
Q: What campus honors or awards have you received?
A: In addition to being a Williams Honors College student, I was on the President’s List for four of my seven semesters at the University and on the Dean’s List for the other three semesters. I also was invited to participate in the Tau Beta Pi District 7 Conference in April 2023.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I plan to start work as a design engineer at JLG Industries in Orrville.
Q: What is your favorite memory of UA?
A: I enjoyed working with the organization RePlay for Kids to modify toys for children with disabilities. ESDT hosted them on campus multiple times throughout my time at the University, and seeing all those toys that we helped modify was very rewarding.
Q: What unique things should we know about you?
A: I have enjoyed penmaking and took many of my school notes with fountain pens. I also have been known to ride around College of Engineering and Polymer Science tabling events in a Power Wheels vehicle to promote ESDT.
Q: What advice would you give to incoming UA students?
A: Find as many clubs or groups that interest you as possible early in the semester and go to one or two of their meetings until you find a group that you like!