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Welcome to The J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University!

The future of mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering graduates at Texas A&M University positively impact society through the solutions they create and the problems they solve. To ensure broad and high societal impact, the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering seeks a diverse student body that brings a unique set of perspectives to mechanical engineering.

The future workforce must embrace new technology, new engineering tools and apply their knowledge to new problems and in fields historically not addressed by mechanical engineers. 

To attract students with a diverse set of perspectives to study mechanical engineering at Texas A&M, the department is launching a new undergraduate scholarship program called the J. Mike Walker '66 New Perspectives for Mechanical Engineering Scholarship. The new scholarship program supports the study of students who, through their own life experiences and circumstance, bring new perspectives to mechanical engineering.

Recipients will bring awareness to new problems, new points of view and new empathies to mechanical engineering. Upon graduation, recipients will serve as a new type of role model to future students, subsequently broadening both the impact of and participation in mechanical engineering.

About the scholarship

The New Perspectives scholarship is a three-year scholarship. Selected students will receive $1,000 in their first year in the department (sophomore), $2,000 in the second year (junior) and $3,000 in the third year (senior). To receive and maintain the scholarship, the student must remain in good academic standing and remain a positive example of Aggie values. Multiple new scholarships will be awarded each year.

How to apply

To apply for the New Perspectives scholarship students must apply to the mechanical engineering department (MEEN) for entry to a major. In the essay portion of their ETAM application, students are encouraged to articulate how their unique life experiences have resulted in a vision for societal impact that differs from the vision of the historically traditional mechanical engineer.

Applicants are encouraged share why they feel they are suitable candidates for the J. Mike Walker '66 New Perspectives in Mechanical Engineering Scholarship. Please reference the scholarship by name. A complete holistic review will be used to award the New Perspectives scholarship and will include consideration of academics, extracurriculars, as well as the unique and diverse perspectives that applicants add to mechanical engineering.