Hannah Lueke '25
Illinois College is making history with its first graduates from the new four-year mechanical engineering program, and Hannah Lueke ’25 is among the trailblazers.
A driven student from Carmi, Illinois, Lueke's journey has been defined by hands-on learning, resilience, and a passion for engineering.
Coming from a small town where pre-calculus was the highest level of math offered, Lueke found the leap to college-level calculus intimidating. However, with Illinois College's supportive professors and collaborative study groups, she quickly adapted. “The professors made the learning curve manageable,” she shared.
Lueke's love for understanding how things work led her to mechanical engineering. “I chose mechanical engineering because I like to apply math in real-world situations. It didn’t make sense to me until I saw it working,” she explained.
One of her most transformative experiences was an internship at Berry Global in Evansville, Indiana. She and a fellow intern reverse-engineered a large machine, created blueprints using CAD software, and developed prototypes for in-house manufacturing. “It was amazing to see the practical application of what I’d learned in class,” she said.
Beyond internships, Hannah engaged in student-faculty research with Josiah Kunz ’12, assistant professor of physics, working on micro-super capacitors. “It was exciting to troubleshoot and learn together. It made me feel like part of something groundbreaking,” she said.
With state-of-the-art labs in the newly renovated Crispin Hall, Lueke had access to cutting-edge technology that prepared her for the future. Now, as she prepares for graduation, she is eager to apply her skills in additive and subtractive manufacturing. “It’s not just about solving equations. It’s about creating, designing, and working on real-world problems,” she said. And with that mindset, she is truly prepared to Graduate READY.