by Jennifer Donovan, Michigan Technological University Public Relations Director

Kenneth Brooks, a fourth-year major in materials science and engineering, has been named the winner of a $25,000 metallurgy scholarship awarded by the Ellwood Group Inc. The scholarship will be presented on campus on Jan. 30.

Brooks is president of the Innovative Casting Enterprise (ICE) at Michigan Tech. After graduation, he wants to work in specialty casting, producing low-count, high-quality, detailed parts.

Brooks was a mechanical engineering student when he attended an ICE casting demonstration. "I was immediately hooked," he recalls. "I changed to a materials science and engineering major within a week, and I've found metal casting to be particularly interesting because it requires plenty of technical know-how, but also allows me to use my hands."

Next summer, Brooks will intern at the Ellwood Group Inc. Last summer, he worked for Ford, making custom aluminum plaques for historic homes in Detroit.