Melody Ford

Major: Astronautical Engineering, 2009
Hometown: Washington, DC
High School: Friendship Collegiate Academy

What kind of activities and organizations are you involved in on campus? How about off campus?
I am involved with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Student Leadership Advisory Board (S-LAB), Capitol College Entertainment (CCE), and will be acting in the school play premiering in April. Off campus, I belong to a 24-hour gym and am a frequent visitor of Baskin Robins and Rite Aid. I also like visiting my nieces and nephews back at home, and enjoy going to the movies with friends (sometime spontaneously) and hanging out at the mall.

What did you do last Saturday night?
Since I’m always on the go, I spent last Saturday night relaxing in my dorm room and taking time out for myself. It was well worth it and I was able to jump right back up on Monday and take care of business. Not to mention, I got several visits from my Capitol buddies.

What has been your most interesting/fun experience at Capitol to date?
I have had many great experiences at Capitol, so it is hard to tell which one is the best. I believe one that has stood out for me is the carnivals we put on. Since most of the activities on campus are student run, I sometimes help out. But every spring semester (and sometimes fall semester) we have a carnival with plenty of activities to do, including games, an inflatable boxing ring (lots of fun), and even a rock wall once. I brought my nieces and nephews here a couple of times to participate and they had loads of fun, and so did I.

Why did you choose to focus on your major?
I chose to focus on my major because I love doing things with my hands and I like to build. Astronautical engineering is a very hands-on major with a very heavy focus in electrical engineering. It is an exciting major because of the advancements in space exploration. I feel like I am a part of something huge, with ever-changing technology and learning new things about our solar system. This major was definitely the right choice for me.

What is your favorite class? Why?
My favorite class is computational dynamics. The class is also referred to as orbital mechanics, which is the study of orbit calculations and telemetry requirements for a satellite orbit. Sounds like boring stuff, but with Professor Angela Walters, it is really interesting, especially when we use software like MATLAB and Satellite Tool Kit (STK) that allow us to see our calculations in action. STK allows you to enter your data and then you can actually see a simulation of a satellite operating exactly how you would like to see it operate. This class makes me glad I chose AE as a major.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?
I already have plans to move to Albuquerque, New Mexico to work for a year, thanks to a scholarship I received from the Department of Defense. I am very excited about this move because it is something unique that I never experienced before. I will try new and different things while I’m out there; including becoming a pet owner (I really want a dog!)

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
I would pay back everything I needed to pay back (student loans) and then I would try to save it and put it to good use somewhere. I would probably give some to Capitol for helping me fulfill my potential, then I would probably buy a house, a nice one with a fireplace and a front porch that goes all the way around the side. I know it sounds silly, but its one of my dreams to own a house like that.
 
Why did you choose Capitol?
I chose Capitol for the simplest reasons: it is a nice-sized school, the teachers and staff are very friendly, and it has a family-like atmosphere about it. Not to mention, as hard as engineering is, you need a place like Capitol to thrive and gain support in.

Do you prefer to hang out in Washington or Baltimore? What’s your favorite thing to do in “your” city?
I am from Washington, DC, so naturally, I love being in DC. When I go there, I like to hang out at certain night clubs (Love, for instance, is my favorite one). I am also sort of a nerd because I like visiting the Smithsonian Museums and visiting the monuments, or just taking a nice walk with friends along the Reflecting Pool on the Mall. My dad also plays at a restaurant in downtown DC, so I like to go see him perform. My younger sister also performs at the Spirit of Washington cruise lines, so I’ve gone to see her once as well. However, I have recently been attracted to Baltimore as well. I love the harbor and the Baltimore Aquarium. Since my boyfriend lives in Baltimore, I like to go out to different places to eat and catch a movie. Fell’s Point is also one of my favorite places to hang out. Now you see why last Saturday, I relaxed in my dorm room because I am always on the go!