Military career opens doors for Eastern Kentucky engineering student

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2022) — Rising up in Japanese Kentucky, Donovan Dye stated he actually didn’t know what an engineer did. He knew what a scientist was, in fact, however by no means dreamed he would truly change into one. Quick ahead to right now, Dye is nearing completion of an engineering diploma on the College of Kentucky, is a member of the Air Power Nationwide Guard and is conducting undergraduate analysis at UK’s Heart for Utilized Vitality Analysis.

Earlier in his journey in  2016, Dye was at a profession crossroads. The McDowell, Kentucky, native had job. He was working as an automotive technician for Don Jacobs BMW in Lexington.

Nonetheless, he dreamed of extra.

Dye graduated from South Floyd Excessive College, in McDowell, a small city with a inhabitants of 700 in Floyd County, Kentucky, simply exterior of Prestonsburg. He at all times loved working together with his fingers and changing into a BMW technician was engaging.

Following highschool commencement, Dye enrolled in an automotive tech program in Illinois in a monitor that gave him the perfect probability of moving into the aggressive BMW particular program. He was accepted into the program and moved to Orlando, Florida, to start coaching.

After finishing this system in 2008, Dye accepted his first paid place as a BMW tech in Huntsville, Alabama. Dye left that place in 2012 to come back again to the Commonwealth. He moved to Springfield, Kentucky, and accepted an analogous place with Don Jacobs BMW in Lexington.

“I had been doing the identical job for about six or seven years,” stated Dye. “Although I loved engaged on autos, the problem-solving had change into monotonous and I actually wanted a brand new problem doing one thing that will contribute to society in an even bigger manner.”

He positioned indicators on his bed room door, itemizing three pathways in entrance of him. He knew he wanted to decide, and he wished to stay aware of his alternatives.

The primary possibility was to maneuver and proceed to work on BMWs in a bigger metropolis with extra alternatives. Choice two was to hitch the navy. Choice three was to return to high school to change into an engineer.

His resolution to mix the final two choices propelled Dye to a UK-military life that continues to open doorways to new potentialities.

In 2016, Dye joined the Air Power Nationwide Guard based mostly out of Louisville, poised to change into a C-130 plane maintainer. He spent the primary couple of months at fundamental navy coaching in San Antonio, Texas, and acquired follow-on coaching in each Little Rock, Arkansas, and Wichita Falls, Texas.

Dye’s expertise and dedication earned him a number of awards and commendations. He acquired the Commander’s Award for superior educational achievement, excessive requirements of management, teamwork and character. He additionally volunteered as an airman chief to enhance his management expertise and change into much less shy.

Issues had been getting busier in his private life, too. Instantly following navy coaching, Dye acquired married to his finest buddy, Alex.

As soon as again in Kentucky, it was time to deal with his subsequent problem. He enrolled in Bluegrass Neighborhood and Technical Faculty’s (BCTC) BluePlus program together with his eye on enrolling in engineering at UK.

After receiving his affiliate diploma from BCTC, he transferred into the UK Faculty of Engineering’s Division of Chemical Engineering. Donovan accepted a co-op alternative at Parker Hannifin O-Ring Division.

In 2019, Donovan and Alex welcomed their first youngster, Liam.

The brand new dad and mom acquired some sudden information. Donovan’s co-op place was being eradicated, and he was left scrambling. Zach Fuqua, director of profession improvement within the UK Faculty of Engineering’s Profession and Co-op Workplace, instructed he contact the UK Heart for Utilized Vitality Analysis (CAER) to see if any undergraduate analysis alternatives had been obtainable.

“UK CAER took an opportunity on me,” Donovan says. “And I’m positive glad they did.”

For the reason that fall of 2019, Donovan has labored for CAER’s Carbon Supplies Group, working to show coal into high-value carbon fiber. CAER is likely one of the only a few locations on the planet that may create carbon fiber from coal, and Donovan has performed an integral function in that course of.

As if that life wasn’t hectic sufficient, the navy got here calling in June 2020. He was deployed to Kuwait as a part of Operation Inherent Resolve for six months.

As soon as again in Kentucky, he continued his engineering coursework and his work at CAER.

Donovan continues to work as a C-130 restore and reclamation crew chief. He spends at the least one weekend a month in Louisville constructing wheel and tire assemblies, rigging touchdown gear and rigging flight management surfaces that enable the planes to fly.

The Dye household additionally not too long ago welcomed a brand new youngster — Oakleigh, who’s now 2 months previous. Donovan will graduate in Could 2023 together with his diploma in engineering.  

“Having youngsters was actually essential to me,” he says. “I’ll be the primary to confess that my schedule makes issues difficult. Alex has been extremely supportive. Like most faculty college students, I lose sleep resulting from homework. However she is dropping much more sleep than me, and I can’t thank her sufficient for what she means to me and my household.”

The group at CAER stays impressed with how Donovan manages all of it and might accomplish that with such a constructive and joyful angle.

“Dye is a dedicated and really self-motivated undergraduate analysis assistant who persistently does nice work,” stated Matt Weisenberger, affiliate director for CAER’s Carbon Supplies Group. “I feel his navy self-discipline and a spotlight to element shines via. It’s a pleasure working with Dye.”

What the longer term holds for the Dye household remains to be being mentioned.

“I’ve not too long ago began engaged on battery analysis and improvement at CAER. We’re testing completely different graphites and making lithium-ion coin batteries. That’s been very fascinating to me,” stated Donovan. “I actually hope to go to graduate faculty, earn my Ph.D., and lead a group. Hopefully, my navy coaching and management expertise will assist with working with a group of individuals.”

Although his pathway was not conventional, he wouldn’t have had it another manner.

“Typically I’m wondering if had gone straight to engineering faculty the place I’d be now,” stated Donovan. “However the range of information and expertise wouldn’t have been there. These alternatives present me a distinct perspective. I’ve put issues collectively. I’ve been an operator. All these expertise will assist me a greater engineer and researcher.”

Right here he’s right now, taking Japanese Kentucky coal and turning it into carbon fiber and constructing batteries of the longer term. All whereas serving his nation.

“You possibly can’t assist however be impressed by Dye,” stated Rodney Andrews, CAER director. “His dedication to his household, neighborhood and our nation makes us all proud. We’re honored that CAER can play a job in his journey.”

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The annual UK Veterans Day Observance will probably be held 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Organized by the Veterans Useful resource Heart, the ceremony will probably be held at The Cornerstone Esports Theater. Doorways open at 1:30 p.m. All UK college, workers and college students are invited to attend because the college pays tribute to the sacrifices made and braveness displayed by the veterans inside the UK neighborhood. Lapel pins representing the navy branches will probably be distributed, and a reception will comply with the ceremony. Learn extra right here.