Tom Mueller, M.S. ’92, believes that by harnessing power in space, we can reserve energy on Earth and save our planet. As one of the founding members of SpaceX, an expert in propulsion technology, and a self-proclaimed idea man, he might be the one to do it. In fact, Mueller has a lot of big ideas, which is why he’s started his own company where he can “develop cool things and contribute to the world.”
Mueller’s contributions go beyond aerospace technology. He also enjoys speaking to students of all ages to get them excited about science. “I tell students, the reason I did well in engineering is because I’m an optimist,” Mueller said. “Be innovative and positive that you can make something that will help make the world a better place.”
Mueller is putting his mark on the world in more ways than one; he recently endowed the Tom Mueller Engineering Innovation Fund at LMU’s Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering to support undergraduate senior capstone projects.
“Tom’s transformative gift allows us to expand on the student capstone experience with powerful opportunities to collaborate across disciplines with leading thinkers and innovators from top industries,” said Dean Tina Choe, Ph.D., of Seaver College. “Tom understands that to create leaders in science and engineering, you must inspire students to think confidently and creatively to solve a challenge. Tom’s Engineering Innovation Fund will encourage students to take their projects and imaginations to the next level.”