On April 25, Calvin College’s very own American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) held a car maintenance workshop to teach students about the mechanics of their vehicles.

At this event, mechanical engineering students were able help their peers by teaching them how to be responsible with their cars through a proper oil change process and showing them how to diagnose odd noises or problems with their vehicles.

The exercise was helpful and gave the ASME a chance to demonstrate just a sliver of what they do around Calvin’s campus. Over the last three years, they have become accomplished as a student led organization, participating in student life as well as as in academic events all across campus.

ASME was revived three years ago by current Calvin student Jonathan Crow, who remains the club’s leader. ASME is Calvin funded but partners with similar clubs belonging to the same organization all across America.

Current member Devin Auld said, “Our club is locally driven, entirely concentrated on local concerns; however, we have the backing and resources of the national ASME organization as we are an official chapter of ASME.

That means we have the opportunity to attend regional and national conferences as well as seek out needs to fill at Calvin and in the community.”

The ASME slogan for the Calvin led organization accurately describes its primary goals:

“ASME is a community of mechanically-minded students with three objectives: to facilitate the exploration and application of mechanical engineering, to develop meaningful connections with industry professionals, and to foster a spirit of ethical responsibility with a reformed worldview. We seek to inspire a new generation of creative problem solvers that is self-sustaining, well informed and sharing in love for engineering.”

The ASME of the Calvin College community continues to discover needs around campus and grasp any opportunity to show their face within student life.

For the past three years, the ASME group has partnered with the pre-veterinary and animal sciences club to run “Paws Awhile,” a special event that takes place during finals week where students are welcomed to play with local dogs in order to alleviate exam stress.

Future ASME vice president Rich Floro commented that “although it’s not engineering related, it has been a successful event that many people enjoy.”

Floro also mentioned that the organization has done other community building by holding informative events such as guided factory tours and partnership event days with the ASME organization of Grand Valley State University.

After three years of leadership in Calvin ASME, Crow, along with two fellow club leadership members, is stepping down from his position due to the conclusion of their final year as Calvin students.

“We are sad to see Jonathan Crow, Patrick Anderson and John Sherwood leave Calvin as they graduate,” said Floro, “but we are excited to carry the club to new heights as the leadership is transitioned.

Correction: This article originally stated “the ASME group has partnered with the nursing club to run ‘Paws Awhile.'” This is incorrect. The ASME group actually partnered with the pre-veterinary and animal sciences club.