Students
Columbia Engineers Prepare for Careers at Sea
Three engineering students were commissioned as naval officers through the NROTC program.
Three Columbia Engineering graduates are among the candidates celebrating their completion of the NROTC program at Columbia and their commissioning as officers in the United States Military. Elena Casas BS‘25, William Culver BS‘25, and Daniel Sanchez BS‘25 all completed the requirements of their degree programs while meeting the criteria of the NROTC program.
Though Columbia University’s history of educating service members dates back to the French and Indian War (1756-1763), the University first inaugurated the NROTC program in 1945 after World War II. Students selected for the prestigious scholarship program receive full tuition, as well as stipends and summer training cruises as they prepare to become Naval Officers.
Elena Casas BS‘25
Originally from Los Angeles, California, Elena Casas dreamed of one day living in New York City. At Columbia, Casas brought her background as an electrician to the study of electrical engineering. She was particularly inspired by the Art of Engineering course taught by David Vallancourt, senior lecturer in circuits and systems. The course, which all engineering students take in their first-year, covers all facets of engineering and has expanded many students’ ideas about the possibilities inherent in engineering.
Casas was also inspired by Christine Hendon, associate professor of electrical engineering, and her research in women’s health, particularly how optical coherence tomography (OCT) could help diagnose cancer in the uterus. Such research, underscoring the School’s engineering for humanity vision, showed Casas how engineering could be a positive force in people’s lives.
“It made me think, wow, it's not just a motto. We can do research to make life better.”
In May, Casas showcased her senior capstone project at the Senior Design Expo, along with her team from electrical engineering.
Casas’ team created Tomadachi, a spin on Tamagotchi, handheld digital “pets” from Japan that allow users to connect with one another and play games. Casas’ project uses BLE Bluetooth to connect users and also helps them create better habits through health monitoring.
While Casas hopes to keep tweaking the technology, she is now focused on her upcoming training in South Carolina as a nuclear submarine officer through the Seaman-to-Admiral 21 (STA-21) program.
William Culver BS‘25
William Culver, a computer engineering major from Radcliff, Kentucky, was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy. Culver first enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2016 and served as a nuclear electronics technician. Previously, he served aboard the USS John C. Stennis and held leadership roles in the Reactor Controls Division. In 2021, he was selected for the STA-21 program.
Drawn to Columbia’s rich history, Culver also credits the Art of Engineering course with revealing the breadth and depth of engineering. Senior Lecturer Paul Blaer’s Introduction to Computer Science course was instrumental in solidifying his desire to pursue computer engineering.
Now off to Mayport, Florida, to serve as a surface warfare officer aboard the USS Donald Cook, Culver will always remember the first moment he came up the subway steps at 116th and Broadway and saw the Columbia campus and Low Library.
“It was awe-inspiring,” he says. “I had crazy excitement the first time.”
Daniel Sanchez BS‘25
A native of Boca Raton, Florida, Daniel Sanchez received his BS in chemical engineering. Ever since high-school, Sanchez had a strong desire to attend Columbia (his parents grew up in New York City). As someone who liked to “build stuff,” engineering was a natural fit.
At Columbia, Thayer Lindsley Professor of Chemical Engineering’s Jingguang Chen’s Introduction to Chemistry Class on Material and Energy Balances was influential in helping Sanchez dive deeper into the subject matter. While at Columbia, he also found time to play Club Water Polo. Soon, Sanchez will report to the Basic Division Officer Course in San Diego as he prepares for a future as a Surface Warfare Officer. Sanchez says he will miss everything about Columbia, especially the annual tree lighting ceremony in December, when the campus’ central footpath, College Walk, is lit up for the holiday season. “It’s my favorite every year,” he says. “It gets me in the holiday spirit.”
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the graduates attended a special Commissioning ceremony at Low Library. All three deans of the undergraduate schools at Columbia spoke at the ceremony, as did University Chaplain and Associate Provost Jewelnel Davis and guest speaker, Captain Dennis L. Farrell, commanding officer of the New York City Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps.
In his remarks, Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang thanked the students for their hard work and service to the country.
“These students have made a tremendous effort and worked incredibly hard to be here today,” said Dean Chang. “They have been able to balance a full schedule and a robust technical curriculum–and hopefully they had time for some fun along the way.”