Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466
Troy, Mich.—April 11, 2023—As part of its sponsorship of The Engineering Society of Detroit’s (ESD) annual Engineering Student Writing Contest, intellectual property law firm Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce the firm awarded Oakland University engineering student Olivia Racette a $1,000 scholarship for her winning essay. Managing Partner Michael Stewart presented the distinction to Racette on March 15 at ESD’s Gold Award Reception & Recognition.
Racette received first place for her piece entitled, “The I’s in Engineering.” She chose to answer the question, “What advice would you give either your mentors or upcoming students/young engineers in relation to the world of engineering?” The OU student from Rochester, Michigan, who is studying bioengineering and plans to graduate in 2024, highlighted four principles in her ‘advice column’—Ignite. Interact. Innovate. Inspire.—that have aligned with why she is passionate about engineering.
Noting that the written word is often the subject of intellectual property protection, Stewart has been a staunch believer that strong writing skills are critical to analyzing and sharing difficult engineering concepts.
“Fishman Stewart is happy to be involved in engaging student voices about the profession of engineering through our sponsorship of ESD Engineering Student Writing Contest,” he said. “It’s exciting see student perspectives through their writing, and we enthusiastically support their efforts.”
ESD’s annual writing contest is open to all engineering students who attend Michigan universities and are studying within any of the engineering and related disciplines. Essay contest writers are able to choose one question from several topics offered. The top three essays are chosen by the editorial board of ESD’s TechCentury Magazine and the first-place essayist is formally recognized and awarded the scholarship at the Gold Award Reception.
In addition to Racette’s essay, the runner ups were: “The Heart of Engineering” by Madison Hinman, who is studying product design and manufacturing and biomedical engineering at Grand Valley State University; and “Things are only impossible until they are not,” by Marianna Osentoski, a Michigan State University Mechanical Engineering student. All three top essays can be found in the Spring 2023 edition of TechCentury, starting on page eight.
The themes for the next contest will be announced later this summer with a fall deadline. For more information, visit https://www.esd.org/awards/writing/ or contact Susan Thwing at sthwing@esd.org.
About The Engineering Society of Detroit®
As one of the largest and oldest multi-disciplinary engineering societies in the nation, The Engineering Society of Detroit® (ESD) represents a multitude of industries and related technical fields throughout the Great Lakes Region. Uniting engineers, scientists, architects and other professionals, ESD promotes and celebrates excellence, innovation, cooperation, professional growth and fellowship. Visit esd.org to learn more.
About Fishman Stewart PLLC
Fishman Stewart helps turn client creativity into valuable intellectual capital. Since its founding in 1996, the firm has obtained tens of thousands of patents and trademark registrations and represented clients in hundreds of cases in Federal Court. As strategic advisers to CEOs and senior executives, Fishman Stewart attorneys develop IP management strategies for U.S. and foreign-based companies to safeguard their business assets throughout the world. To discover how Fishman Stewart leverages intellectual property to effectively increase enterprise value, visit fishstewip.com.
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