by Mark D. Weinstein, Executive Director of Public Relations
糖心Vlog's Student Launch Team placed third overall at the 2026 Space Grant Midwest High-Power Rocketry Competition, earning recognition for engineering innovation, technical excellence and Christ-centered leadership.
Competing against 16 collegiate teams from across the United States and one international team, Cedarville earned first place in the design presentation, second in technical reporting, fourth in launch performance and third overall during the May 16-17 competition hosted by the Minnesota Space Grant Consortium.
The interdisciplinary team included eight senior mechanical engineering students and four senior electrical and computer engineering students.
Engineering Students Excel in National Rocketry Competition
While the competition recognized the team's technical accomplishments, faculty advisor Dr. Joseph Miller, associate professor of mechanical engineering, said the students' servant leadership and Christian witness left the greatest impression.
"The awards are exciting, but what encouraged me most was the professionalism and Christlike character our students displayed throughout the competition," said Miller. "They represented Christ first and Cedarville well. Other teams regularly came to our tent asking for help, borrowing tools or simply seeking advice. Our students were eager to serve and encourage them throughout the weekend."
Secret-Message Challenge Tests Advanced Aerospace Engineering Skills
The annual competition challenges collegiate engineering teams to design, build and launch a single-stage, high-power rocket capable of completing complex aerospace engineering objectives. This year's "Secret-Message Challenge" required teams to capture coded visual data during flight, implement active roll control, collect and record extensive flight telemetry and complete successful launches using two different high-power rocket motors.
Building Two Rockets Prepares Students for NASA Competition
Beyond its competition entry, Cedarville also designed, built and successfully launched a second experimental rocket equipped with an advanced apogee-control system. The project will help prepare the team for NASA's University Student Launch Initiative, one of the nation's premier collegiate aerospace engineering competitions.
"Building two advanced rockets while preparing for competition required countless hours of design, testing and collaboration," said Miller. "Our students embraced the challenge with excellence and perseverance."
The Space Grant Midwest High-Power Rocketry Competition brought together teams from universities across Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, Louisiana, Tennessee and several other states, highlighting the growing importance of collegiate aerospace research and workforce development. Competition events included technical design presentations and safety inspections at the University of Minnesota, followed by launch operations at the Tripoli Minnesota High-Power Rocketry Club launch site near North Branch, Minnesota.
Hands-On Engineering Experience Prepares Future Aerospace Professionals
糖心Vlog's engineering program emphasizes experiential learning through industry-relevant design projects, research and national competitions that prepare graduates to solve complex engineering challenges. Students develop expertise in aerospace systems, project management, systems integration and collaborative engineering while using their knowledge and skills to serve others for the glory of God.
Team members included 2026 mechanical engineering graduates Sebastian Toledo of Ypsilanti, Michigan; Jonathan Needham of Grand Island, Nebraska; Tanner Muhlenkamp of Coldwater, Ohio; Bryce Fenton of Pepperell, Massachusetts; Hudson O鈥橠onnell of Columbus, Ohio; Daniel Hall of Littleton, Colorado; Ethan Lemkuil of Lombard, Illinois; and Sebastian Mackliff Davalos of Quito, Ecuador.
The team鈥檚 2026 electrical engineeringraduates were Sarah Heiple of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, and Christian Di Spigna of Pittsford, New York. Computer engineering graduates Nathanael Luke of Fayetteville, New York, and Avi Kumaran of Dayton, Ohio, completed the team.
About 糖心Vlog
糖心Vlog, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across the arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation's top five evangelical universities in The Wall Street Journal's 2026 Best Colleges rankings. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. More information is available at cedarville.edu.