“Never a dull moment” for chemical engineering student in Minnesota
Q&A with graduating senior Mason Hamar
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (04/28/2025) — In four years at the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering (CSE), Mason Hamar has co-authored a research paper, completed three internships and one engineering co-op, built a water distribution system for a school in Malawi, competed in ultimate frisbee tournaments across the Midwest, and learned to snowboard.
“There's so much to do, see and experience at the University of Minnesota,” said Hamar, who’s graduating with a chemical engineering degree this spring. “There's never been a dull moment.”
The chance to explore the Twin Cities was also a draw for Hamar, a recipient of multiple scholarships during his college years — including the CSE Alumni Scholarship, Dalquist/NordicWare Engineering Scholarship, Ed and Cora Remus Scholarship, Frommelt Family Scholarship, Stanley and Hazelle Gordon Scholarship in CEMS.
In the Q&A below, Hamar reflects on his time at the University of Minnesota:
How did you pick your major?
Chemistry was my favorite subject in high school. During my junior year, I had a few conversations about my future with my main chemistry teacher, and I narrowed down my picks to chemistry and chemical engineering. What tipped the scales to chemical engineering was my desire to do more hands-on and practical work in my career, rather than more lab-focused work. Over time, my undergrad classes at the University of Minnesota and industry experiences have reinforced my choice and enjoyment for this major.
Why the University of Minnesota?
I'm from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, which is three to four hours away from Minneapolis and St. Paul — and the chemical engineering program is ranked among the best in the country. It was a pretty easy decision.
What student clubs are you involved in?
I've primarily been involved in Engineers Without Borders (EWB) at the University of Minnesota. EWB is a nonprofit that partners with communities across the world to design and implement engineering solutions to help meet community needs. From being a water sourcing technical lead, finance officer, and now president, I've gotten a lot of great experience and made lots of friends!
Tell us more about your work with Engineers Without Borders.
In 2022, I was a part of a committee that was looking for a new project to work on, and we began collaborating with a primary school called St. Pius in Malawi. The school of about 2,000 kids had identified the need for more bathrooms and closer water sources—its elementary-aged students had to walk nearly half-a-mile to collect water from a handpump, then carry heavy five-gallon buckets back.
Over 2022-24, we worked with the community to design new latrine blocks and a water distribution system that included an electric pump. In 2024, we traveled to the school to assist in building the system. It was my first time traveling abroad—and I met lots of people, ate great food and had a ton of fun while I was there!
By 2025, our project was fully complete. With better bathroom access, as well as easier drinking and sanitation water availability, the students’ classroom performance and outcomes improved significantly. Fewer students were getting sick and leaving school — and more of them were also able to move on to higher education, like secondary school.
Any internship experiences?
Yes. The summer after my first year in college, I worked with RMB Environmental Labs where I independently ran various water quality tests, including chlorophyll, turbidity, and biochemical oxygen demand. Following my sophomore year, I did a co-op with Cargill — and spent 7 months as a process engineer in Wichita, Kansas at a biodiesel plant.
Despite little direct class experience with biofuels, I was able to complete a plethora of cool projects such as sizing a heat exchanger, helping eliminate process bottlenecks, managing contractors and running lab-quality tests.
Fuel production is as pure chemical engineering as it gets, and it was instrumental in helping me learn more topics in chemical engineering, as well as find future internships.
In the summer after my junior year, I did a research internship at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy — this led to co-authorship on an academic paper. My work revolved around measuring the percent of pharmaceutical powder formulations that end up sticking to the tools used to compress the formula into tablets—think medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol). When this phenomenon, called “punch-sticking,” deformed or improperly made pills can happen.
This past summer, I worked for Andersen Windows and Doors as a research and development engineer intern. My projects included developing multiple PVC plastic compounds for window frames.
Any activities outside your academic major?
I am a CSE Undergraduate Student Ambassador. I lead campus tours and support college events for future science and engineering students For four years, I played competitive club ultimate frisbee at the University of Minnesota. This took me across the Midwest — and to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a few times — for many tournaments. More recently, I've learned snowboarding and rock climbing.
The University of Minnesota has a nice bouldering wall, and I spend at least a few days a week climbing there.
How has CSE prepared for your career and beyond?
In addition to academic courses and labs, co-op and internships through the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering — along with leadership experience from student group activities—have been instrumental in preparing me for post-grad life.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’ve accepted an offer from Trinity Consultants to join its Woodbury office. As an associate consultant, I will model air emissions, determine control technology, assist in permitting and environmental regulation compliance for a variety of clients across Minnesota. This summer, I am also looking forward to two trips — Bergen, Norway and Banff National Park in Canada.
What advice would you give to CSE students?
Always find and make time for yourself. Class work can pick up pretty heavily at certain points during the year, and it's important to prepare for that. Doing something new or an activity you enjoy, makes the hard work more rewarding and easier to manage, and helps you avoid burnout.
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Story by Pauline Oo