BCoE Student Hall of Fame 2022: Liv Russell

What is your name, age, classification and major?

Liv Russell, 21, senior, mechanical engineering

What year did you begin studying at MSU and when is your expected graduation date?

I began studying at MSU in the fall of 2019. I am graduating December 2022.

Why did you choose to attend MSU, and why did you choose an engineering field of study?

Mississippi State felt welcoming from the moment I stepped on campus for a visit. I was able to meet with faculty in the departments I was interested in, including engineering, which made it clear that the faculty took a genuine interest in their students’ success, even before they enrolled. Additionally, Mississippi State had numerous research opportunities for undergraduates and seemingly unlimited resources. I chose engineering because I found it motivating to research real problems with immediate applications. I loved that engineering utilizes the intersection between creative and methodical approaches to effectively solve problems.

What are your favorite campus organizations you have become a part of?

I have really enjoyed my time as a Roadrunner and Mechanical Engineering Ambassador, because it allows me to interact with students who may have been like me. I had no idea what engineering was before I came to MSU, so I did not even know what questions to ask about the field. Sharing my experience with students so that they can decide whether the Bagley College of Engineering is for them has been an incredibly rewarding part of my Mississippi State journey.

What has been your favorite course you have taken at MSU and why?

Engineering analysis, taught by Dr. Shane Brauer, was my favorite course at Mississippi State. This was my first engineering course where I had to synthesize the methods learned in my foundational classes in order to solve problems. It also taught me how to think about problems. Engineering analysis impacted the way I approach problems even now in my senior courses, and I use the methods I learned nearly every day.

Which course has been your most challenging at MSU and why? What was something you learned about yourself after taking that course?

One of the most difficult courses I took at MSU was Calculus III. I realized I really struggle understanding concepts without knowing their real-world application as a means to orient myself in the material. Once I found ways to apply Calculus III, the class made a lot more sense.

What is one thing you have learned, related to engineering, during your time in the Bagley College of Engineering?

Before coming to Mississippi State, I did not even know what engineering was, so to say I have learned a lot in the Bagley College of Engineering is an understatement. I soon learned how many vastly different jobs an engineer can have and how impactful each of those positions are. It has altered my worldview in that I now think about all the time and effort a team of engineers put into almost everything I interact with in daily life.

How has MSU and specifically the department of engineering prepared you for professional life after college?

The faculty in the Bagley College of Engineering have invested in me more than I can comprehend and consequently prepared me for life after MSU. From my freshman year, professors have allowed me to research in their labs and mentored me, allowing me to feel comfortable even when facing unfamiliar technical problems. They have given me the tools to identify problems and research what is necessary to solve them confidently.

What are your plans after graduation?

I currently plan to attend graduate school in pursuit of a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.

What will you miss most about MSU after you graduate?

I will certainly miss the people more than anything else at Mississippi State. I believe many universities have great engineering departments that will teach you a ton of material and give you a degree at the end of four years, but the way MSU faculty and students invest in one another is what sets our university apart. I am leaving Mississippi State University with a degree, but also with lifelong friends and mentors that I will miss seeing every day.