SAE Foundation Annual Report 2016 - 8

Creating a memorable learning experience

F

or Dan Basch, few things give
him more joy than sharing his
love of science with his three
young children. Dan, an engineering
supervisor at Parker Hannifin, loved
science and math from a very young
age and knew that he wanted to
become an aerospace engineer.
His passion for engineering and
aerospace grew exponentially at the
University of Akron and became part
of the school's SAE Aero Design team.

"My experience in the College Design
Series™ (CDS) taught me incredible
lessons related to engineering,"
said Dan. "It also taught me about
teamwork, leadership and the
importance of how you present your
ideas to others."

Dan was recognized for his hard
work in CDS in 2002 when he became
the first winner of the Rumbaugh
Outstanding Student Leader Award,
an SAE award that recognizes
students who demonstrate
outstanding leadership in SAE
activities. It was established by
former SAE Executive Vice President,
Max E. Rumbaugh, Jr.
Award winners receive a medal,
a $750 honorarium, a lifetime
SAE membership and a trip to an
SAE conference where the award
is presented.
Dan traveled to Montreal to receive
his award at SAE Aerotech Congress
and Exhibition. "Attending the

8 | 2016 Annual Report

SAE Aerotech conference to receive
my award was exciting," said Dan.
"Max Rumbaugh took a personal
interest in introducing me to many
people, taking me to an SAE Board
of Directors meeting and to SAE
operating board meetings. The people
I met are people I still interact with
today, many of whom serve with me
in leadership roles at SAE."
The experience showed Dan the
multitude of opportunities available
within SAE and introduced him to the
wide variety of career opportunities
in the aerospace industry, building
on his experience as a leader on his
SAE Aero Design team.
"If I hadn't won the Rumbaugh
Award and had the incredible
introduction to all the other
opportunities that SAE offers, I don't
know that I would have become as
involved," said Dan. "This award really
serves to help students make
a smooth and accelerated transition
into their professional life."

Being mentored by Max Rumbaugh
and others as a student led Dan to
take a great interest in mentoring new
employees and credits much of that
leadership capability to his involvement
with SAE. "I don't know how to put into
words how much impact SAE has had
on my vocation. CDS played a big role
in preparing me to be a well-rounded
engineer especially during the early
part of my career."
Despite Dan's busy schedule at Parker
Hannifin and his role as a father of
three, giving back is a priority. Dan
coaches youth football and has
continued his involvement within
SAE, finishing a 3-year term on the
SAE International Board of Directors
and currently serving on the SAE
Foundation Board of Trustees. Dan is
proof that STEM education includes
the importance of expanding all talents.
"I always tell my kids that being a
scientist or engineer doesn't mean
that you can't play football just as well
as anyone else."
SAE Foundation Annual Report 2016

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