Milton and Doreen Morgan School of Engineering's Baja SAE Project
![2023 Baja SAE Team](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/20230831_184624.jpg)
Students at Shippensburg University have the opportunity to participate in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) annual international competition. Teams of mostly mechanical engineering students design, construct, and weld BAJA buggies and compete against 80 to 90 other teams from schools from around the world.
This competition provides them with real-world experience using engineering concepts that they learn at Ship. Over the course of a year, they modify their designs and make improvements to their BAJA buggy.
This competition is open to all Ship students, freshman through senior. They must speak to the team captain for approval to join the team.
Those who participate learn project management, leadership, budgeting, and real-world engineering skills. The Ship team also has the opportunity to collaborate with other teams who are willing to share resources.
Ship students are able to participate in this competition because of generous donations to the foundation. Give Now or Learn about Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities.
Baja SAE 2024 is being held in Michigan. More information about Baja SAE can be found here.
Team Members
![Alex Black](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/alex-black.jpg)
Alex Black
Role: Team Captain
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2024
![Jamie Rettew](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/jamie-rettew.jpg)
Jamie Rettew
Role: Design Director/Brakes and Throttle Team Leader
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2026
![Marc DiPiano](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/marc-dipiano.jpg)
Marc DiPiano
Role: Manufacturing Director/Drivetrain Team Leader
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2026
![Ewan Moore](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/ewan-moore.jpg)
Ewan Moore
Role: Treasurer/Steering Team Leader
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2025
![Daniel Diehl](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/daniel-diehl.jpg)
Daniel Diehl
Role: Roll Cage Team Leader
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2025
![Moses Kimotho](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/moses-kimotho.jpg)
Moses Kimotho
Role: Suspension Team Leader
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2026
![Cole Forbes](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/cole-forbes.jpg)
Cole Forbes
Role: Electrical Team Leader
Major: Electrical Engineering/Physics
Class: 2026
![Carter Landis](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/carter-landis.jpg)
Carter Landis
Role: Roll Cage Team Member
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2027
![Dalton Moser](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/dalton-moser.jpg)
Dalton Moser
Role: Roll Cage Team Member
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2026
![Matthew Ester](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/matthew-ester.jpg)
Matthew Ester
Role: Roll Cage Team Member
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2025
![Eugene (Larry) Klesser](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/eugene-larry-klesser.jpg)
Eugene (Larry) Klesser
Team Role: Business/Roll Cage Team Member
Major: Entrepreneurship
Class: 2026
![Connor Long](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/connor-long.jpg)
Connor Long
Role: Suspension Team Member
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2024
![Mette Madsen](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/mette-madsen.jpg)
Mette Madsen
Role: Roll Cage/Suspension Team Member
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2026
![Aidan Crowder](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/aidan-crowder.jpg)
Aidan Crowder
Role: Suspension Team Member
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2026
![Logan Fuhs](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/logan-fuhs.jpg)
Logan Fuhs
Role: Suspension Team Member
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2027
![Thomas Firestine](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/thomas-firestine.jpg)
Thomas Firestine
Role: Drivetrain Team Member
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2026
![Gregory Solek](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/gregory-solek.jpg)
Gregory Solek
Role: Drivetrain Team Member
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2025
![Brayden Crawford](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/brayden-crawford.jpg)
Brayden Crawford
Role: Drivetrain Team Member
Major: Political Science
Class: 2026
![Tijs Black](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/tijs-black.jpg)
Tijs Black
Role: Electrical Team Member
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Class: 2027
![Gavin Thomas](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/gavin-thomas.jpg)
Gavin Thomas
Role: Electrical Team Member
Major: Computer Engineering
Class: 2026
![Dr. Joao P. Dias](/globalassets/distinctly-ship/joao-dias.jpg)
Dr. Joao P. Dias
Role: Team Advisor
Department: Civil & Mechanical Engineering Department