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Michael Muszynski '21, a mechanical engineering major, is passionate about helicopters. Naturally, he was one of the first students in the Bixler-Gerber Quad for the University's recent celebration of Lockheed Martin Day on campus.

The day started with leaders from the Fortune 100 company landing in a helicopter in the residential quad, and Muszynski was among the hundreds of students and members of the University community who were there to welcome them.

"I am excited that the University has connections with companies like ," said Muszynski, who, as a high school student, interned at , where he helped do maintenance on the company's helicopters. "I want to work with helicopters in some capacity, and Lockheed Martin Day was a great way for students to get a foot in the door."

Lockheed Martin - a global security and aerospace company that employs 110,000 people worldwide - holds only a handful of these programs each year on college campuses across the country.

As part of the day, the University welcomed company leaders, including Dan Schultz, president of Stratford-based a Lockheed Martin company that manufactures the Army's iconic Black Hawk helicopter, and Mike Ambrose '84, '19 Hon., vice president of engineering and technology at Sikorsky. Nearly 100 University alumni who work for Lockheed Martin were also on campus as part of the day.

"I am excited that the University has connections with companies like Lockheed Martin."Michael Muszynski '21

"Every interaction I've ever had with the University of New Haven has been fantastic," said Schultz. "We have more than 400 graduates of the University working at Lockheed Martin."

'Far-reaching and lasting impact'

Following the helicopter landing on campus, Schultz presented President Steven H. Kaplan with a $100,000 contribution from Lockheed Martin. The contribution will be used to develop a mentoring program that matches Lockheed Martin employees with University of New Haven students.

"Undoubtedly, this initiative will have a far-reaching and lasting impact on our students," said President Kaplan.

Throughout the day, some of the University's best students interviewed with Lockheed Martin staff members for internship and job opportunities, and qualified candidates - such as Sebastian Prieto '22 - were offered positions on the spot.

"The hiring manager offered me the position as soon as I asked my last question," said Prieto, a mechanical engineering major, who accepted a co-op position in the ground test sector. "I was extremely grateful for the offer. I'm excited to begin and to contribute to such an amazing company."

'I am excited to study engineering'

At the Lockheed Martin Day event, current - and some future - students learned more about opportunities at the company and the University. Engineering majors who have been accepted into the University's Class of 2024 were also invited to campus to be part of the celebration.

Kevin Joyner '24, a senior at Notre Dame High School in West Haven, attended the celebration with his mother, Sandra Gibson '90.

"Undoubtedly, this initiative will have a far-reaching and lasting impact on our students."President Steven H. Kaplan

"I like putting things together, and I am excited to study engineering," said Joyner. "This was a great opportunity for me to learn more about the opportunities I'll have as a student. I'm also very impressed that the helicopter landed on campus."

"As an alumna, I'm proud my son has chosen to attend the University of New Haven," added Gibson, who earned a degree in criminal justice. "It's a great school, and it was wonderful to be here for Lockheed Martin Day, and to see the growth and vibrancy of the campus."

'I love the students' enthusiasm'

The event also featured a variety of interactive programs, including technology displays, simulator demonstrations, and a student challenge. Representatives from the , which honors the late founder of Sikorsky, met with students, discussing the career of the aviation pioneer and the development of the helicopter.

"I love the students' enthusiasm and acceptance of possibility," said John Bulakowski, vice president of the Historical Archives. "That's exactly what we, as an industry, need. We have seen a great deal of interest from students. They are eager to learn, which is wonderful."

"It really was a fitting way to be able to celebrate the University's Centennial."Sebastian Prieto '22

Planned as part of the University's yearlong commemoration of its Centennial, Lockheed Martin Day enabled students to have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the more than 1,000 graduates who have gone on to successful careers with Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky, and , the former parent company of Sikorsky.

"This was a valuable an opportunity for students like me," said Prieto, one of a dozen students to receive job and internship offers during the event. "I was able to practice my interview skills, and I was fortunate enough to even be offered a position on the spot. It really was a fitting way to be able to celebrate the University's Centennial."

In the coming days, the Â鶹´«Ã½ Blog will feature a spotlight that will give an inside look into the new mentoring program that is being created between the University of New Haven and Lockheed Martin.