Education

Engineering Grad Goes from Potato Guns to Pickleball to Pearl Harbor In an unexpected twist of fate, Vaughn Paape, a mechanical engineering graduate, has transformed his childhood curiosity into a promising career as a nuclear engineer, set to begin this July at Pearl Harbor. This journey, starting with potato guns in his father’s garage, illustrates the beauty of one’s passions shaping their future. The Roots of Innovation Growing up in Grant Park, Illinois, where corn and soybeans thrive, Paape’s creativity blossomed amidst the tools of his carpenter dad....

From Potato Guns to Pearl Harbor: Vaughn Paape’s Engineering Journey Vaughn Paape’s story is one of transformation—a journey from playful experimentation in his father’s garage to a career as a nuclear engineer at Pearl Harbor. As he prepares to begin his first professional role this July, Paape reflects on many moments that brought him to this point, showcasing how far a journey can take you, even from the humble beginnings of building potato guns....