Meet Ethane Omwanza, a junior mechanical engineering major at Elizabethtown College. Omwanza’s draw toward mechanical engineering did not begin as a childhood dream, but was found later in life in a high school class.
Hailing from Dover, Delaware, Omwanza attended Dover High School in a district that requires students to choose a pathway of study. His original path was architecture because he was always interested in hands-on work.
“I always wanted to do something with my hands,” Omwanza said. “At the time, I thought architecture was it.” Yet, one class required for his pathway proved him wrong. A welding class, required of Omwanza due to his pathway, provided him with a warm welcome into the world of engineering.
“My high school had a welding class and I was required to take it as part of my pathway,” Omwanza said. “I loved the hands-on work and loved making something that ultimately helped to make someone else’s day.”
“I want to become a mechanic. I want to open my own workshop,” Omwanza said. For him, this is an opportunity to utilize his education and hands-on approach to benefit others. This is a goal that Omwanza will be accomplishing on his own. He does not have a family background of engineers or mechanics.
Before Etown, everything Omwanza knew, he had to learn on his own. “My family doesn’t really have any background in engineering,” Omwanza said. “I had to just learn this stuff on my own, and it can get really overwhelming at times.”
Omwanza does not let stress get the best of him. In the face of stressful and overwhelming situations, he always finds time to relax. “Being alone and just living in the moment,” Omwanza said. “Not being on my phone, just existing. It helps calm me down after a stressful day.”
Omwanza was not drawn to a college with a busy campus or explosive party scene, but instead, a small, quiet campus with a tight-knit community. “I was drawn to Elizabethtown College because of the small campus and the tight community of the college and the surrounding area,” Omwanza said.
While Etown is the ideal environment to unwind from the hustle and bustle of a busy engineering schedule, it doesn’t offer many activities. After a long week of classes, Omwanza likes to relax by watching movies, playing video games, hanging out with friends, and going out on weekends.
The welcoming nature of Etown’s campus more than makes up for it, as Omwanza can feel safe and comfortable. “I really like how comfortable you can get here once you’ve really settled down here,” Omwanza said.
Crossing state lines to go away for school may make some feel homesick, but not Omwanza. “No, I don’t get homesick. I always feel like I can adapt to wherever I am.”
