Courtesy photoWichita State’s College of Engineering and facilities such as the wind tunnels gave Luke Johnson many opportunities for applied learning. He will continue his education at WSU while pursuing a Master of Science in aerospace engineering and work at the National Institute for Aviation Research.
Luke is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2026 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.
What degree will you be earning in May?
Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering
What is your hometown?
Joplin, Missouri
What schools did you attend before coming to Wichita State?
- College Heights Christian School, Joplin
What made you choose Wichita State University?
The ability to work on campus and gain real- world knowledge while also being able to make money to pay for school.
Did you earn a scholarship at Wichita State?
Yes, the Founders Merit Scholarship.
What applied learning experiences did you participate in during your time here?
The majority of my applied learning experience at WSU came from my job at the National Institute for Aviation Research’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS).
In addition to my work, I completed several applied projects during my curriculum, specifically the Airbus wing box contest, applied wind tunnel research investigating techniques for reducing noise and increasing efficiency of drone propellers, and now building a plane for senior design.
If I could give any advice to other WSU students, it would be this:
Make the most of the opportunities presented to you, WSU is a unique campus, at least in engineering, that offers many different opportunities to advance in your career.
I learned more from my job and projects than I have in class. It is one thing to see the theory in a class, and a whole different thing to see it in the real world.
Go to class, no matter how much you want to skip. You are only doing a disservice to yourself by paying to not show up.
Keep a calendar. This will eliminate so many issues. I wish I started keeping one earlier.
What are your plans after graduation?
My current plans are to continue at NIAR ATLAS while pursuing my Master of Science in aerospace engineering with an emphasis on structures and solid mechanics.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for engineering R&D.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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