Mary’s Engineering and PT Students Combine Skills to Empower Children with Special Needs

BISMARCK, ND — University of Mary engineering students and those from the physical therapy department put their skills and creativity together from their respective fields to help children with special needs today.

Five area children are each proud new owners of a custom-made, tricked out and fully mobile car thanks to Mary’s engineering and PT students involved in the national Go Baby Go program.

“A group of PT students are collaborating with engineering students along with myself, and instructor Rodrigo da Costa in engineering, to adapt Go Baby Go power cars for five local children in order to allow them to experience movement that they are unable to accomplish on their own,” said Dr. Heather Lundeen, assistant professor in the University of Mary’s Department of Physical Therapy.

Kupper Automotive sponsored the event with a generous $2,000 donation making it possible for Engineering students to purchase the vehicles and needed supplies to help them retrofit the cars. Families and area media were on hand to see the students work together with the children so they can be fitted for their new hot rods.

“Giving back and being servant leaders in the classroom and in the community have always been part of the mission at the University of Mary,” added Lundeen. “This is very humbling for us all: we’re blessed to be able to put our classroom skills to work with this hands-on experience; and then to be in their presence and see the joy in their eyes as they experience this, is truly a gift from God.”