Ian Rokser spent his first two years of high school being educated in what he describes as the “Christian way.” He would wake each morning and go to school through the internet. From his home he was connected with other students across the country. He followed the wisdom of his father, a pastor, who urged him to put work before play. Rokser would spend several hours “at school” and after completing his studies he would pass the afternoon working on cars and machines.

     When Rokser was a high school junior, he enrolled in the Post Secondary program at Lake Superior College. Years younger than his classmates, he achieved high marks and stood out in his classes. He learned how to think and work like a college student. He believes that the time he spent at LSC prepared him for some of the challenges of college. Classes at the Milwaukee School of Engineering have been significantly harder. Rokser admits that he, and other students, struggle with the large amounts of work assigned.

     “Engineering is known as a difficult field for good reason,” he says. “Engineering students are typically given massive amounts of homework with little flexibility in deadlines.” He believes that this pressure is required to prepare students to some day work as engineers.                    

     “Diligence,” he says, “not intelligence is the most important factor in the study of engineering.”

     Dedication to academics is something that Rokser believes not all college students are focused on. But because he followed his father’s advice, Rokser has had many experiences outside of the pages of his engineering books that have contributed to his education. 

     He spent the summer of 2007 working on a missile launching system for BAE Systems, one of the largest defense contractors in the world. The development of this technology was part of a 2004 initiative by President Bush.  The launching system, which can handle any sized missile, has the ability to detect and track enemy-fired weapons around the world. Once it is detected, the enemy weapon is taken into space and destroyed.

     Rokser says this internship has taught him much about the cooperative and ever-changing job of an engineer. The system he worked on was based upon technology first developed in the 1970s that has undergone revision. In his work, Rokser constantly consulted his co-workers with his ideas; allowing him to profit from their knowledge and experience. He says, “it was fun to feel like a real engineer for the first time.”

     For his final year of undergraduate studies, Rokser will be working on a challenging senior project. Each student is required to develop and work on a project of his own choosing with the support and guidance of a faculty member. Rokser has joined with other students on an on-going project, which will aid in NASA’s endeavor to build a permanent base on the moon.

     Lunar habitats may seem like science fiction, but they pose real world challenges. The harsh climate and lack of resources are the major factors the students are considering when devising methods to provide for heating and water systems. The work of this year’s students will build an even broader base for future students, and maybe someday their will end up on the moon. 

The idea of work before play was one instilled in Rokser by his father, and one that will surely influence him in his future endeavors. The field of study he has chosen requires the hard effort he has already shown he can put in.

     “Math and science” he says, “are based on unchanging principles, but have many areas left unstudied and undeveloped.”

     And he believes that engineering is much the same way. An engineer’s work is always evolving to make systems, products and life better. America for many years has been on the cutting edge of electronics, and Rokser does not see that changing.

     There is a limitless expanse of opportunity in front of Rokser. With his God-given talents and his unfaltering diligence he is sure to follow faithfully the plans of the teacher he respects most, the one he considers creation’s Master Engineer.