Education for Engineers, Windfall for Villagers

Four senior engineering students and Pete Johnson, VU assistant professor of mechanical engineering, dedicated their spring break to the people of a tiny village in La Palma, Nicaragua. There they designed and helped install a 30-foot windmill and generator to provide electricity to a health clinic and school.

"The village had no power at all,” Johnson says. “Now residents can store vaccines in a refrigerator, hold classes in the school at night, and use a radio to call for help in emergencies."

Johnson and students want to thank all who contributed materials and funds for the trip. And a special thank you to donors to the College of Engineering Dean's fund which also helped fund the trip.