Members of Service Learning and Outreach with 3D-Printers for Engineers (SLOPE) handed out over 120 3D-printed coins to veterans returning from Knoxville Honor Air Flight 29 on Wednesday, October 2, at McGhee Tyson Airport.

“I tried to capture some photos, but they truly don’t describe how amazing the experience was,” said Chris Wetteland, faculty advisor to SLOPE and a senior lecturer in MSE. “I am so proud of our SLOPE members, which include President Regan Newman, VP Mallory Stevenson, Natalie Wieber, and several other MSE students. It was a momentous task to print so many coins for the veterans.”

It takes over an hour to print each coin, so producing a total of 140 was a team achievement by the students, who all felt the task was well worth the experience of then presenting the coins to the veterans.

“This event was bigger and better than we could have ever imagined going into it,” said Stevenson.

“It was such an amazing experience and seeing their face light up when we handed them the 3D-printed coin was something we will never forget,” said Newman.

Newman and Stevenson were joined at the event by Elizabeth Sutton, a former MSE Governor’s School student and the sister of MSE alum Jordan Sutton.