Sam Eliason
Russ College of Engineering and Technology
'We are the future'
Hometown: Athens, Ohio
College: Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Major: Electrical Engineering
What does it mean for you to be recognized as an outstanding graduate of Ohio University?
I went to a fine institution, and now I have a degree and I get to do great things with it. I'll be in the Air Force for the next four years. The first four years I will be working, doing very similar things (to those) I studied. It will open up opportunities, but OU has already opened up so many opportunities for me. The Air Force ROTC detachment is the top in the nation. OU has been fabulous to us, our program.
We are the future. We go through life, and everyone says, "You are the future. You are the promise of a brighter future." It makes me feel good. At least they have confidence, and at least they aren't saying we are going to fail. It's a good feeling. Yes, it changes me, it boosts my confidence. I'm part of the future, influencing 20 years from now. Everything you do influences the world somehow.
Where will you be going?
I'll be a developmental engineer at Eglin Air Force Base, working with software programming for aircraft systems. When there is a problem with the computer program on the aircraft, we fix and update the programs so we have the best technology. I will have four active years, then four reserve. If the need is there, then we are the first wave to get called up on active duty. I can stay and become a career officer. I've always wanted to give back to the country, but I'm not sure of a career in the military. I'd like to go into politics, something more nationally prominent. I wouldn't want to stay local. I have a political science minor so I'm into foreign policy.
Is there a faculty member who inspired you?
I worked with two professors from my senior design project in the avionics department, (Associate Professor) Maarten Uijt de Haag, whom I had for three quarters, and (Russ Professor) Frank van Graas, whom I had for two quarters. I was lucky to work with both of them. There are 40 to 60 seniors in the EE department, so we break up into groups. Four of us got the most popular project. They are fantastic teachers, I learned a lot from them. The emphasis of my degree classes I had were with them. All my knowledge in future work is from them.
What other experiences and organizations helped you learn and grow?
Air Force ROTC did great things for my leaderships skills. There is so much leadership training that it's like a minor, but you receive no credit for it. It was influential in learning management and leadership. The more you learn about leadership, the better you can be a team member and practice being a follower.
One of my passions is music. It's been a great hobby. The Marching 110 -- every minute I loved. It's the biggest team I've ever been on. There are 150 to 190 people all doing one thing at the same time. It's so visual, and we have to work together. I traveled so much with them; we've been to different universities and watched other bands. I learned so much about being a team with 20 of us in drum line. We have to be right with it and sound cohesive with no individual sounds at all. I learned the value of hard work. Fall quarter I spend so much time on band, it consumes my life. But we work so hard and get such a great product out of it.
I also served on the Russ College Academic Honor Council. The dean wanted us to write an honor code for Russ College. It's part of a legacy I get to leave at the college and university. It's an introduction to academic integrity for grad school. As the undergrad (on the council), it was cool to take the idea and try to make it fit with the undergrad curriculum, as grad students don't really remember being undergrads. ... There was a big signing, the culmination of all our efforts.
I also got to explore my musical passion in my band, A Step Towards Dawn. We formed in 2006. ... We are recording a CD, the culmination of our experience. We can go away from OU with a degree, but I also got a CD.
Describe what you have accomplished. What was your drive and motivation?
I'm going to be a lieutenant in the Air Force. That's a huge accomplishment. You have to have a degree. Before college, I wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force, but I didn't get into the academies. I grew up in Athens so I looked at the options before me. The EE program was where I wanted to study. Along with the (university's) great Air Force ROTC program and top-notch marching band, those were the three activities that I did a lot here. Part of the accomplishment of graduating was being able to pursue everything while I was here.
How do you see yourself? In your future?
I see myself as the future. I'm a hard worker and very motivated, but I like to have a good time. I'm not afraid to have fun. I learned that from marching band. The social aspect of life is something you can't forget about. Even though I'm a hard worker, I work hard and play hard. If you work hard, then you have plenty of time to relax, socialize and have a real life.
Interview by Jenaye Antonuccio, BA '95. Photo by Matt Eich, BA '08.
Posted 05-16-08
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