College of Engineering

Student Spotlight - Darrell Krueger

Success. That's what Darrell Krueger, captain of Auburn University's Mini Baja team, was thinking when he accepted the first place award for his team at the recent Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Mini Baja Midwest competition in Milwaukee in June.

The Mini Baja competition challenges students to design, build and race an all-terrain vehicle for off-road use. Each year more than 200 universities from across North America and overseas compete in one or more of the three regional competitions -- East, Midwest and West. Auburn's team placed third overall at the Midwest competition.

"This past year has been the best," exclaims Krueger. "Midwest was a huge boost for us and it was great to feel the reward from so much hard work."

Krueger, son of Mark and Donna Krueger from Roswell, Ga., began his Mini Baja career as a freshman in fall 2000. After watching a presentation about Auburn's student race teams in his engineering 1100 class, Krueger was eager to find out more and soon found himself part of the team. Since then, he has served as team captain for three years and has competed in a total of six competitions, missing only two since his first year.

"Darrell is the type of student every professor dreams of having," remarks Peter Jones, faculty advisor and member of the mechanical engineering faculty. "He has been one our key people for SAE both locally and nationally."

An active member of SAE, Krueger regularly attends local SAE meetings and has prepared numerous presentations for the chapter. He has taken a very active role in helping with the SAE competition to be held in Auburn in 2006.

"As part of Auburn's Mini Baja team, I've learned that you may have the best design in the world on paper, but if you can't build it, you're right back where you started," explains Krueger. "The resources provided by the College of Engineering are second to none, yet they are provided in a fashion in which you must use your own creativity and ingenuity."

This year Krueger was awarded the 2004 SAE Long Term Member Sponsored Scholarship, a $1,000 award given each year by SAE members of 25 years or more to recognize outstanding students who actively support SAE and its activities. Krueger is one of only six nationwide to receive the award.

"Auburn engineering's student programs are a key to anyone's success," he explains. "While academics are held at a high standard at Auburn, the focus on teamwork, project management and practicality are just as important. I am very thankful to Auburn Engineering's faculty and staff for taking interest in me and pointing me in the right direction."