Luke DeLorenzo, a junior studying mechanical engineering, has his eyes on working in the aerospace field someday. 

After graduating from Purdue, DeLorenzo hopes to work on innovative aerospace propulsion systems. He attributes his interest to his internship in Cleveland, Ohio, during the summer of 2024, where he learned about fuel and oil pumps. During the summer of 2025, DeLorenzo interned in Dayton, Ohio, where he learned more about jet engines.

Outside of classes, DeLorenzo serves as the president of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. One of the key events he looks forward to every year is Tri for Tim, his house’s signature event, which serves as an annual fundraiser in honor of the memory of Tim St. John, who was tragically struck and killed by a distracted driver while training for a triathlon in June 2022. Since then, his brothers in Alpha Tau Omega have hosted a weekend-long event in his honor. All proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the Tim St. John Memorial Foundation, which works to promote road safety initiatives. DeLorenzo says the impact St. John made on the lives of his fraternity brothers is very evident and he is driven to carry forth St. John’s legacy. Stay tuned for more information on the next event, which will be held in spring 2026.

DeLorenzo is also an ambassador for Purdue Mechanical Engineering, where he plays a large part in promoting the program. In this role, he connects students with alumni, faculty and engineering organizations. Ambassadors like DeLorenzo gain professional development skills by organizing resume reviews, holding mock career fairs and hosting graduate school and research panels to help prepare students for their next steps.

On top of those extracurricular pursuits, DeLorenzo serves as the director of community for the American Society of Mechanical Engineering Grand Prix team, where he helped add a continuous variable transmission to a Grand Prix kart. He also works on turbojet engines in the Purdue Rocket Propulsion Lab.

Before attending Purdue, DeLorenzo was heavily involved in community service in his hometown, Syracuse, New York. On Saturday mornings, he and his mom would volunteer with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which provides beds for underprivileged children. DeLorenzo says it was nice to directly see the impact his efforts made in fulfilling basic needs for children. He says it’s important to prioritize your involvement with things you are passionate about, which will make your participation and impact more natural.

DeLorenzo advises that students step out of their comfort zones to find what he calls the “growth zone,” which makes the greatest impact on professional development and growth as a person. He says he has found that experience is the best teacher. Right now, DeLorenzo is expanding his growth zone through his internships, talking to students and doing his best to make the most of his time at Purdue. Another way DeLorenzo steps out of his comfort zone is by placing a door stop in his bedroom door so that it’s always open. When people pass his room, he engages them in conversation.

DeLorenzo also recommends students keep an open mind to new ways they can step out of their comfort zones. He suggests saying “yes” to a lot of clubs and opportunities early on. If they don’t work out, that’s ok – this will allow you to focus your efforts on the experiences that matter most.

To take care of his well-being, DeLorenzo says he will take any free time he has and run with it. He treats school like a 9-to-5 job, so he doesn’t let responsibilities overbear him in his free time. He prefers to set personal boundaries and decompress by himself. He prefers to find balance through physical exercise, making time for friends and getting enough sleep.  

If you want to add Luke to your network, connect with Luke on LinkedIn.