HEATHER M. HELTZINGERSCHEURING ‘07
The development of robotics on campus has been evolving and growing for more than 15 years. That journey has included the development of two undergraduate robotics-related degrees, a state-of-the-art facility in Osburn Hall and an award-winning undergraduate robotics competition team that has earned numerous national championships and awards. Millersville University’s first robotics degree, a Bachelor of Science degree in applied engineering & technology management with a concentration in robotics & control systems technology (AETM RCSY), evolved from the former industrial technology electronics degree. In 2016, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) approved a Bachelor of Science degree in automation & intelligent robotics engineering technology (AIRET). Dr. John Wright, professor and AIRET program coordinator, has been the primary drive behind this development. His interests include semi-autonomous and autonomous mobile robotic development and control, industrial robotics and humanoid robotics. “The AEST (Applied Engineering, Safety and Technology) Department and the University have been extremely supportive over the years. It has been a team effort to drive this program of innovation and change,” says Wright, adding that the AEST department is preparing for a major equipment upgrade.
Project Manager & Designer, Keystone Engineering Group, Inc., Frazer, Pa.
The Robotics Team, which is the student chapter of the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE), has won six national robotics competitions and more than 35 individual awards since 2001. Dr. Mehmet Goksu, associate professor of physics—whose interests include quantum computing, edgemagnetoplasmons, physics education projects and sonoluminescence—is team advisor. Co-advisors include Drs. John Wright, Mark Snyder and Louise Manfredi from the AEST department.
GILBERT RAMOS ’14 Manufacturing Engineer II, Harley Davidson, Inc., Kansas City, Mo. Gil Ramos graduated from Millersville with a degree in Applied Engineering & Management Technology – Robotics & Control Systems. He now works in Kansas City, Mo., at the American motorcycle icon Harley-Davidson, Inc., supporting the fabrication department as a tactical engineer specializing in fuel tank fabrication. “I work with various robotic laser cut and weld cells that build our bikes. My job includes automation, controls development and troubleshooting, as well as continuous improvement in our manufacturing environment,” says Ramos. Originally from Saylorsburg, Pa., Ramos started off in the physics program at Millersville. “I was walking to my physics class one day and I walked by the automation lab and saw four Mitsubishi robotic arms dancing to Mr. Roboto. I was immediately hooked. I walked in and looked around, and next thing I know I’m looking at course layouts and switching majors the very next day. Best decision of my life!” he says. “Robotics is the future. If you look in any major manufacturing operation, there is always going to be a higher level of automation and sophistication. The growth of this need is going to skyrocket.”
The plastic components of MAVIS3D use 3D printing technology.
For Heather M. Heltzinger-Scheuring, Millersville University allowed her to dream big, finding inspiration in the school’s robotics program. Today, she works as a project manager and designer at Keystone Engineering Group, Inc. The company provides design engineering, systems integration and construction management services to clients. Heltzinger-Scheuring was studying information science at the University of Pittsburgh, which she found to be too big. She looked around and found Millersville. “It was kind of a fluke,” Heltzinger-Scheuring admits. “I found out about the robotics program and was impressed from the start.” Much of her inspiration came from Dr. John Wright. “He was a great teacher,” says Heltzinger-Scheuring, who received a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial technology with specialization in electronics and control systems from Millersville in 2007 and serves as chair of Millersville University's Applied Engineering Technology Advisory Committee.
BRAD SENSENIG ’12 Instrumentation & Electrical Design Engineer, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Hunt Valley, Md. Brad Sensenig is a 2012 graduate of Millersville University, who majored in industrial technology and was part of the University’s Robotics Team. “MU was on my list because of how close it was to home. It happened that Millersville offered a technology program that was what I was looking for,” says Sensenig. “Dr. John Wright was a major influence for me in college. Dr. Wright provided me with a number of opportunities including the robotics team and an honors thesis,” he says. “My fondest memories are with the MU Robotics Team. It was the closest experience we had to working in the real world.” Sensenig now travels to Japan and throughout the United States for his job at Mitsubishi. He encourages Millersville students to figure out their major and what they want to do. Then go after it.
M I L L E R S V I L L E U N I V E R S I T Y • S pr i ng/ S ummer 2016 | 5