The following vignettes were produced by undergraduate students in Professor Erin Anderson’s Spring 2022 course, “The Art of the Interview” (ENGWRT 1360), based on oral history interviews they conducted with graduating seniors from the Swanson School.

Class of 2022 Oral History Project

Kelly McPoyle

B.S. Environmental Engineering
 
“This is what I want to do”

Melina Hudson was born in Milford, Delaware and came to Pitt to study environmental engineering. She joined the Pitt Band as a freshman and continued all four years, playing the saxophone. During her undergraduate years, she joined the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and became a member of the fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi, devoted to music and band members. After completing an accelerated Master’s degree program in 2023, Hudson plans to work for Greenman Pedersen Inc., focusing on highway and road design as well as water resources, in her home town of Milford.

Melina Hudson

B.S. Bioengineering

“That’s why I’m here”

Uthman Fadu was born in Nigeria, immigrating to the U.S. with his parents and older brother when he was a child. His family spent six years in Rhode Island, where they found a close-knit community through a local Nigerian Muslim mosque before moving to Sheraden, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Fadu attended Taylor Allderdice High School, where he was first introduced to the field of engineering, and came to the University of Pittsburgh as a member of the Pitt EXCEL program to study bioengineering. Following graduation, he will be doing consulting work for Deloitte.

Uthman Fadu

B.S. Environmental Engineering
 
“I just wanted something different”

Logan Dyer grew up in Mechanicsburg, PA and came to the University of Pittsburgh to study environmental engineering. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and serves as Vice President of the Pitt chapter of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists. He also serves as the captain of the Pitt Environmental Team. In Summer 2021, he participated in a study abroad program with Dr. David Sanchez focused on sustainable design and innovation in Guam.

Logan Dyer

B.S. Civil Engineering
 
“What Black engineering means”

Samuel Copeland was born in Dayton, Ohio and grew up in Moon Township, Pennsylvania just outside of Pittsburgh. Alongside his degree in Civil Engineering, he graduated with minors in Industrial Engineering and Africana Studies and plans to study engineering at the graduate level. He was the Region 2 Programs Chair of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and was also involved in Pitt Engineering’s EXCEL Program.

Samuel Copeland

B.S. Industrial Engineering 
 
“It’s a motivator, for sure”

Philip Andreoli was born in Harrisburg and grew up in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania with his twin brother, Carmen. During his time at Pitt, Andreoli has been a member of several on-campus organizations, including the Pitt Jazz Band, in which he plays guitar; the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, which he currently serves as Vice President; and the Supply Chain Management Club, which he currently serves as President. He received the award for Outstanding Senior from the Department of Industrial Engineering, as well as the Outstanding Service Award.

Kelly McPoyle

PittEngineering