December 02, 2024

For Mackenzie White, a soon-to-be mechanical engineering graduate, family is very important. At Mizzou, she says she found herself a part of something bigger.

Her dad suggested she consider mechanical engineering because of her aptitudes for math and physics, and she liked it because of the wide range of possibilities the degree offers. Outside of class, she’s been involved with the Mizzou Society of Women Engineers and has been a softball coach for a 10U team.

After graduating, White will work for Whiting-Turner Construction Company as a Project Engineer on the North Endzone of the Mizzou Stadium and says she could not be more excited and grateful for the opportunity.

Read on for a Q&A with her about her Mizzou Engineering experience.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Mackenzie White, I grew up in Columbia, Missouri, where my parents and grandparents still live. My dad grew up in Columbia while my mom grew up about 30 minutes outside Columbia in New Franklin. I have a twin sister, Madison, who graduated from Central Methodist this past May and now works in downtown Columbia at Buchroeders, a local jewelry shop.

My family is very important to me and it’s nice being so close to them all, I actually go visit my grandparents every week for lunch. I chose Mizzou because I grew up being a Tiger, going to all the football games and homecoming events. It was the natural choice to go there for college.

Why are you proud to be a Tiger? 

I’m proud to be a Tiger because my great grandpa was supposed to graduate but quit after his third year in 1924 with his degree in mechanical engineering. Now, I get to graduate 100 years later with mine.

What’s your favorite thing about Mizzou Mechanical Engineering?

The relationships you can build with your classmates. You can become very close with someone when you’re hunkered down studying for a test.

What’s your favorite Mizzou Engineering memory?

Sitting in a room trying to figure out my machine element design project with one of my friends who was in the same class. We had been in there all day—I’m talking eight plus hours—and were about halfway through when we are starting to go a little crazy. I went to get us some pizza and we just sat there talking while eating our pizza. I remember thinking, this is college: being completely frustrated and on your wits end one minute and the next eating pizza in the same study room hanging out with your friends the next.

What would you tell someone who’s interested in coming to Mizzou?

Mizzou is what you make it. If you don’t get involved, then you’re not going to get the most out of it. Mizzou has a good culture. With tailgating and homecoming, you feel like you’re a part of something bigger and get to celebrate the wins and losses together.