Benjamin Douglas Simmons, Mechanical Engineering Alum
Degrees
BSME (1999), MSME (2002), PhD (2007)
Current Residence
Lancaster, PA
Current Employer
Hershey
What influenced your decision to attend Herff College of Engineering?
Local and connection with the University Band Director through a community Band
How did Herff prepare you for your career?
Taught me how to organize and report information, prepare and present information,
critical thinking skills, how to approach problem solving, how to work within a team,
how to research and solve problems that are new to me
What skills or knowledge did you learn throughout the program that you found most
helpful in your career?
Approach to problem solving and critical thinking skills. Presentation confidence
Who was your most impactful professor? Why?
John Hochstein personal connection and skills taught as mentor and Advisor for many
years together
Were you involved in student groups? If so, which one(s)?
AIAA and ASME
What support(s) did you have during your time as a college student? How did you keep
focused on the goal?
Professors kept me engaged and challenged throughout my years. Peers supported me
through study sessions and group projects
What was your greatest memory from your time at Herff?
Building a Pile of Computer style cluster in the department to enable research
What advice would you give those considering enrolling in Herff College of Engineering?
The Herff college of Engineering is a good size to provide support, growth, and challenge.
I have worked alongside graduates from many top engineering institutions and find
my preparation from the Herff college to be equal to all.
What do you know now that you wish you had known during your time at Herff?
How special the friends and memories would be to me. As we worked to learn and solve
problems, we bonded and several are still friends 20 years later.
Was your Herff experience worth the price? If you could do it over again, what would
you do differently?
The price was a great value to me and had been well worth the expense throughout my
career.
I am not sure I would do anything differently.