MMT Chats: How Hands-On Experience and Passion Earned a Scholarship

In this latest MMT Chat, I had the pleasure of speaking with Luke Hodgson, the 2024 recipient of the Glenn Beall Scholarship from the SPE Mold Technologies Division. Luke, a passionate plastics and polymer engineering student at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, impressed with his blend of academic achievement and hands-on experience.

Luke shares how working at Vincent Tool and interning at Nolato Contour shaped his understanding of plastics engineering. His time at Vincent Tool, a machine shop, provided a foundation in mold-based design and manufacturing, while his work at Nolato Contour, a medical device manufacturer, taught him to adapt quickly to fast-paced, high-pressure environments.

What sets Luke apart is his early interest in how things work and his determination to improve them. Inspired by his father, an engineer, Luke’s curiosity evolved from childhood tinkering to a deep commitment to advancing sustainable practices in plastics. His goal? To focus on eco-friendly innovations, particularly biodegradable plastics for medical applications.

Beyond the financial support, Luke highlighted how the Glenn Beall Scholarship connects him with industry professionals, giving him valuable networking opportunities. For students considering applying for the 2025 scholarship, his advice is simple: Get as much hands-on experience as possible and demonstrate your passion.

For more information on the 2025 $3,000 student scholarship honoring Joseph Prischak, visit spe4mtd.org or click here.  

Application forms for both the scholarship and the grant can be requested from Education Chair Joe Karpinski at JPKarpinski23@gmail.com, with all submissions due by May 31, 2025.