Fasenmyer Engineering Design Conference

More than 210 students will present their capstone projects during the Fasenmyer Engineering Design Conference at Penn State Behrend, beginning at 7:30 am. May 3 in the Burke Center. The projects include sustainable bioplastics, an AI camera system, and a computer program that uses drone footage to identify invasive species.

Details, including a schedule of presentations, are at the conference webpage.

All students in the School of Engineering at Behrend must complete a yearlong capstone applied-design project. That work is showcased at the Fasenmyer conference, which is named for the late Richard J. Fasenmyer, a 1969 graduate of the college and a longtime supporter of the School of Engineering. He founded RJF International Corp., a world leader in the manufacture and distribution of interior wall coverings, industrial matting products and specialty films.

This year’s keynote speaker will be David Boyce, the president and CEO of Bloom Engineering Co. The Pittsburgh-based company designs and manufactures high-temperature, low-emissions industrial combustion systems.

Boyce earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 2001. He worked at Siemens Energy and CMI Energy before joining Bloom, which was acquired by Wabtec Corp. in 2024. He is a 2013 recipient of the Penn State Alumni Achievement Award.