Philanthropy supports student team in global robotics competition

Members of a student team at Virginia Tech are building more than robots. They’re building futures.

With support made possible through the Des Champs Chair, the VEX-U Robotics team is turning departmental backing from mechanical engineering into career-defining learning experiences. The endowed chair, established by alumnus Nick Des Champs ’62, Ph.D. ’67 and his wife, Rebecca, provides flexible funding that allows leadership to invest directly in student experiences.

Since its launch in 2023, the VEX-U Robotics team has distinguished itself. One of 120 university teams worldwide to qualify for the VEX-U Robotics World Championship, the team earned an impressive 16th place finish.

Part of the Virginia Tech Competitive Robotics Organization (VT CRO), the team takes on new engineering challenges each year that push students to innovate, design, and build high-performance robots to compete head-to-head against other universities. Solutions often require integration of diverse knowledge and skills, and with 15 engineering students from various disciplines, including mechanical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, computer engineering, and computer science, the VEX-U team allows students to bring their own perspectives and expertise. By applying concepts such as torque and fluid dynamics to robotics, they gain a deeper, more practical understanding of engineering principles.

Ty Van Buskirk, a sophomore in industrial and systems engineering and president of VT CRO, said the team owes much of its success to the Department of Mechanical Engineering for its support, both financially and professionally. As the team designs and builds robots for competitions, it’s not unusual for mechanical engineering department head Brian Lattimer and other faculty to stop by and check in.

“It’s really meaningful,” Van Buskirk said. “They not only show support, but also open doors to sponsorship opportunities and professional connections. Many of them are former mechanical engineering students or have robotics backgrounds, so they understand what we’re doing and help us connect with people who can support our goals, or even help us land jobs.”

Lattimer recognized the VEX-U team's work and offered support for their competition journey.

“Supporting student teams like VEX-U is a vital part of our mission, and it wouldn’t be possible without the generous support tied to the Nicholas and Rebecca Des Champs Chair,” said Lattimer. “The flexible funds allow us to invest directly in student success, empowering hands-on learning and bridge experiences, innovation, and collaboration that extends far beyond the classroom.”

Endowed chairs, professorships, or faculty fellowships are prestigious faculty positions funded by a donation from an individual, family, or organization.

From funding critical components such as metal, motors, pneumatics, and annually updated field elements to supporting travel for competitions to providing access to machine shops for custom part fabrication, the department uses philanthropy to power the team’s continued success. The department also support the team with event hosting, including the annual VEX-U competition at Virginia Tech that draws hundreds of high school and university participants.

In addition to building competitive robots and hosting competitions, the VEX-U team also makes time for community outreach.

“Our goal with outreach is to connect with K–12 students every month, whether it’s through STEM days, field trips to campus, or events like mechanical engineering exposure day,” said Frank Baxley, vice president of outreach for the VEX-U team. “We want to show young students that pursuing robotics and engineering in college is not only possible, but exciting. It’s our way of giving back and helping shape the next generation of innovators.”