Elizabethtown College seems to have many students native to the Garden State. I’d like to introduce one of them now. Meet Alex Stouffer.
Stouffer is a senior mechanical engineering major here at Etown. His passions lie in the transportation industry, more specifically trains and cars.
“I’ve always had a bit of a knack for things with moving parts and mechanical things,” Stouffer said. “I’ve also always loved cars and trains. I knew the way that I could get into the development and testing of that stuff was through mechanical engineering.”
In order to bring his passions to life, Stouffer is working hard to be behind the scenes in locomotive design.
“I’d like to work in design for a large engineering firm,” Stouffer said. “Preferably in transportation. Designing locomotives and rolling stock, or designing cars.”
This is not just a career for Stouffer, engineering is truly a fundamental component of his life. Outside of classes he stays engaged in the field by being an active member of both the engineering and math clubs.
When he’s not in class, attending a club meeting, or spending hours on homework, he spends his time finding ways to have fun and unwind.
“I like to hang out with friends,” Stouffer said. “Watch TV, scroll eBay [looking for] model trains. I go out for late night walks.”
I must say his model train set up is quite impressive. His passions and career choices are greatly inspired by the founder of the Shelby American Company.
“One of my biggest inspirations is Carroll Shelby,” Stouffer said. “He was the one who founded Shelby American, you know, like Shelby Mustangs. He was bed ridden until he was the age of eight from a heart condition. Yet he was the second American ever to win the 24 Hours at Le Mans [endurance sports car race in Le Mans, France].”
Stouffer admires all Shelby was able to accomplish given his difficult start to life. Accomplishments beyond racing, he designed the Shelby AC Cobra, which was held as the fastest car in the world in 1965 with the fastest zero to 60 to zero in over 10 years.
“He never let that stop him,” Stouffer said. “In fact, anything he got a hold of, he beat. He knew how to take something and make it faster than anyone else could.”
Despite the great speeds accomplished by his greatest inspiration, Stouffer can’t get home fast enough. Having a whopping two hour and 30 minute commute “on a good day” as Stouffer puts it, homesickness is almost inevitable.
“I call my family a lot,” Stouffer said. “I stay in touch. It helps a little, but, you know, it’s not the same. I usually just try to power through it. I’m very much in the mindset of, if something needs to get done, you have to get it done.”
I think that is a mindset many of us can relate to. For those just starting out, Stouffer has a bit of advice.
“You’re going to see other people doing better than you,” Stouffer said. “Other people make it look easier. You’re going to feel like you’re doing double the work. That does not mean you don’t belong. Whether or not you have to work harder is irrelevant. If you want to do something and are willing to commit yourself to it and put in the work, you belong.”
