University Park, Pa. -- Eight engineering students exhibited their many talents at the fifth annual Society of Women Engineers' (SWE) Mr. Engineer Competition Thursday night. The competition poked fun at beauty pageants while raising money for the IFC/Panhellenic Dance MaraTHON (THON). The event yielded $500 through ticket sales.
The contestants battled through talent, business wear, and question-and-answer portions to take home the crown. The winner received a $250 scholarship, gift cards and a donation to THON in the name of the winner's organization. After a two-hour showdown, Wade McCorkel came out on top and was named Mr. Engineer. Confetti flew and "Isn't She Lovely" played as he was adorned with a Burger King crown and satin sash.
"I'm speechless," he said. "I just wanted to have fun with this and it's going to such a good cause."
The competition was judged by a panel of female faculty and female engineering athletes from the swimming and basketball teams.
Cheryl Knobloch, associate director of the Women in Engineering Program, judged for the first time this year and had an idea of what Mr. Engineer would consist of. "The winner should be a well-rounded individual who can not only capture the essence of the profession but also exhibit wit and creativity," she said. "It would be nice if he could also clean and cook."
McCorkel, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, entered the competition after his brother and fellow competitor, Kyle McCorkel, informed him of the event. The brothers performed their talent act together in the "He-man Push-up Competition" where the nerdy Penn State underdog outperformed the testosterone-pumped Ohio State contestant.
Other talents included a clown act, an inspirational reading of Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham," a swinging country line dance medley and a clever engineering-style parody of The Little Mermaid's "Part of Your World."
Kate Umlah, senior chemical and environmental engineering major, has been planning the event since October. The vice president of student relations for SWE was pleased with the outcome. "It's a great way to get the community involved and raise money for THON," she said.
Performances by the Pennharmonics a cappella group and rock band Fever Dream got the mostly female crowd moving, including sophomore nursing major Sarah Hufford.
"It was a lot funnier than I thought it was going to be," she said. "I would definitely come back again."