In a recent display of engineering prowess, the student team from Cleveland State University's Washkewicz College of Engineering took the forging world by storm. As reported by CSU News, they emerged victorious, seizing the Grand Prize at the 2025 Forging Industry Educational and Research Foundation (FIERF) national competition. This competition set university teams against each other to create a fully functional blacksmith's hammer, designed from 1045 carbon steel and not exceeding a weight of 3.5 pounds.
Each team's creation was meticulously tested, running the gamut from functionality to durability, ensuring these hammers could hold up under scrutiny. But it wasn't only about strength. The requirements also included a project video and a detailed technical report, which chronicled the design and manufacturing process. And, the team from CSU excelled, with Joshua Bailey, Adam Clark and Robert Duheric stepping into the spotlight for their "Blacksmithing Hammer" project, which "earned them the Grand Prize by demonstrating superior performance across all judging categories." According to the Cleveland State University news.
Their victory did not come without ample support, with kudos owed to sponsor Bud Kinney (BME ’77), and their advisor Michael Gallagher. Their guidance was instrumental in these students' success, taking their project from conception to a top honor within Washkewicz College's Senior Design program. As CSU News puts it, this win "highlights the high caliber of talent and the innovative spirit thriving among our CSU student body."
Cleveland State University stands as a bastion that forges practical, real-world experiences for its students. The CSU forging team's triumph is further testament to the school’s dedication to preparing its young engineers for the future. It's the type of educational milestone that calls for celebration and underscores the level of innovative talent present within today's student body. Congratulations are certainly due to all those involved in this impressive feat.
