Regaling Rockwell
By Bryan Hay
Every time Lovejoy Afuakwah ’20 returns to campus, a stop by Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center is always high on his agenda.
As a mechanical engineering major, he was offered a field engineering internship with Turner Construction Co. in spring 2019 and tasked with reviewing architectural drawings and preparing the job site for subcontractors and final inspections.
Lovejoy served as a field engineering intern with Turner Construction Co. during the construction of Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center in 2019-20.
By the time Rockwell opened in fall 2020, Afuakwah had accepted a full-time job as a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineer/superintendent with Philadelphia-based Turner. He credits Lafayette’s career fairs and specifically the late David Veshosky, associate professor of engineering studies and civil & environmental engineering, for instilling in him a passion for construction projects.
Asked what inspired him most about working the largest capital project in Lafayette College’s history, he quickly shares that the central four-story glass atrium, a unifying focal point of the structure, always comes to mind.
“The atrium design was super awesome,” Afuakwah says. “This was my first real experience as an engineer, and the atrium really opened my eyes to design layouts and allowed me to see and appreciate how an architectural design can bring such personality to a building project.”
Physically working on the atrium, with its ribbon-like staircase, which seems to float through the center of Rockwell like a meandering ribbon, was another matter altogether.
“I’m not a big fan of heights,” he laughs. “The atrium was a challenging feat architecturally, but we had a really great design team and skilled contractors who made it all happen.”
Afuakwah cites his Lafayette education for developing and refining skills in time management, communication, and teamwork, all essential for managing multiple contractors and projects. Whenever he’s on campus he makes sure to visit Acopian Engineering Center to catch up with Lisa Karam, coordinator, Engineering Division, and Serena Ashmore, scheduling coordinator, who both helped him with professional development and study abroad opportunities as a student.
“A lot of the things I use on my job are all the skills that Lafayette teaches you to prepare for, such as managing your time wisely and being able to oversee multiple tasks at the same time,” Afuakwah says. “These are the little things you don’t really look into and appreciate a lot when you’re in school.”
A native of Ghana, Afuakwah also appreciates how Lafayette prepared him to work in teams, which was something he struggled with as he perfected his English fluency.
“Lafayette challenged me and threw me right into it,” he says. “Now I work with a team of about 10 or 11 people, and, you know, being able to run meetings and talk to them has become so fluid for me. I thank Lafayette for that experience and for making me really believe in myself to do this work as a professional engineer.”
Engineering, a lifelong path
Growing up, Afuakwah always loved putting things together, working on cars, and dreamed of working in the automobile industry.
“When I came to Lafayette, I knew I was going to do some kind of engineering. I just didn’t know what kind of engineering that was going to be,” he says.
Lovejoy, pictured on the steps that lead down to Easton from campus during his time as a Lafayette student.
Mechanical engineering clicked for him while taking the Manufacturing and Design course, which introduces techniques in computer-aided design and manufacturing as applied to mechanical components and systems.
“That course changed everything for me,” Afuakwah says, adding how it required working in teams and a spirit of self-reliance. “Prof. (Brent) Utter was one of my favorite professors I ever had on campus. He taught me how to think on my feet and come up with creative solutions.”
Giving back
Afuakwah often returns to campus and enjoys recruiting students to work at Turner as interns or full-time employees, offering the same kinds of opportunities that he valued as a student.
“Lafayette really provided an incredible journey for me,” he says. “It changed my life and made me who I am today. That’s why I never miss a chance to come back to campus to recruit. I enjoy talking with students, sharing my experiences, and hearing how Lafayette is shaping their individual journeys.”