Luke Sanders’ love for engineering goes back to a STEM program he participated in while in fourth grade. The project involved building a 2-foot structure out of popsicle sticks that was then subjected to weight pressure and simulated seismic vibrations. The Battery Creek High School (S.C.) graduate, found his way to Savannah State University (SSU) in fall 2021, where he has exceled as a scholar, sustaining a 4.0 overall GPA.

Outside of the classroom, he is active as a reliever pitcher for the Tigers Baseball team. He also serves as the president of the American Society of Civil Engineers student organization and as the secretary of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. His academic journey is focused on structural design, sustainable practices, and environmental systems.

While at SSU, Sanders has contributed to four NSF-sponsored projects including a presentation at Troy University; a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at Purdue University; a presentation in Washington, D.C. for the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship program, and a presentation at Savannah State University. According to Sanders, every project he has participated in has provided invaluable research experience in the areas of machine learning, fluid mechanics, and bridge sustainability.

His exceptional leadership and achievements were recognized by Georgia Society of Professional Engineers who named him the 2024 Engineering Technology Student of the Year. Following his graduation in May 2024, Sanders plans to pursue a master’s in civil engineering and continue to making strides in shaping engineering technology innovation.