Vanessa Almodovar
1/18/2026
We’re excited to share the story of Nathan Peters, an ambitious and driven student whose curiosity, compassion, and commitment to innovation make him a standout candidate for the GMR Transcription Scholarship. Currently attending Michigan Technological University, Nathan is double-majoring in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering with a bold vision for the future of space exploration.
From a lifelong fascination with rockets and the mysteries of the universe to hands-on engineering programs, leadership roles, and impactful community service, Nathan exemplifies what it means to pair academic excellence with purpose. His journey is fueled not only by a desire to push the boundaries of aerospace technology, but also by a deep belief in giving back and improving the world around him.
Here’s what Nathan has to say about his path, passions, and the goals that continue to drive him forward.
Have you ever looked at the stars and wondered what was out there? I have, and I want to find out! I want to spend the rest of my life asking, “What if?” I am currently attending Michigan Tech University, where I am double-majoring in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. Ultimately, I have my sights set on obtaining a Master’s from the University of Michigan. Like most young children, I was amazed by space rockets, aliens, and the Little Einsteins, and as I grew up, my fascination with space never faded. I am particularly interested in the development of more fuel-efficient aircraft, nuclear propulsion, the use of renewable energy sources in aerospace systems, and the advancement of space technologies. Space exploration is a beautiful mix of technology, creativity, and imagination, and being able to think outside the box, ask the questions that have never been asked before, and overcome unique obstacles, which intrigues me and inspires me to work hard every day.
I’ve taken numerous steps to work towards my goals, including completing the two-year Engineering Academy program in Traverse City, attending the Engineering Scholars Program and Aerospace Summer Program at Michigan Tech, and completing an aerospace internship at Skilled Manufacturing Institute. I’ve also held leadership roles in Student Government, including Treasurer and Secretary, and was elected Vice President of my National Technical Honor Society chapter. I was an active member of the Students Against Negative Decisions club and helped organize assemblies for my school. During these academic extracurricular activities, I also played at the Varsity level in Soccer, Track and Field, Cross Country, Ski Club, and Power Lifting.
The experiences and lessons I learned from my high school activities were so beneficial that I wanted to join multiple clubs and organizations once I started college. Academically, I am part of the Pavlis Honor College and the Engineers Without Borders program. I also wanted to experience what college had to offer outside of the classroom and joined the Line Dancing Club, Baking Club, Outdoor / Hiking Club, Rock Climbing Club, Mushing Club, and started to play Broom Ball.
Beyond the clubs and honor societies and student governments, volunteering has always been the most rewarding, and my teacher, Mr. Sharp, was responsible for lighting that fire. Mr. Sharp was active in the community, and part of his Environmental Science class required us to give back to our community. Our final project was to complete an environmentally focused and community-beneficial project. My project was harvesting, processing, and preserving venison. I chose hunting as my environmental focus due to its importance in wildlife management. I harvested a buck, processed it, cooked the meat, canned some, and made jerky. I then used the preserved meat to make chili and donated it to a local after-school youth club. It was so rewarding to provide food for the children and watch their faces light up as they enjoyed a hot meal.
This experience changed me when I saw how my small act had a huge impact; I became more invested in my community and sought out new opportunities when I found the Rock and Mineral club was launching a Rock Hound Club for kids called Pebble Pups and needed volunteers. I signed up right away and became the teaching assistant for Professor Veatch. I assisted him with labs and field trips, and also assisted him with teaching paleontology classes at our community college. Prof. Veatch had physical challenges, so I also set up equipment. Since he was new to Michigan and didn’t have a support system, I helped him at his home, as well, from rescuing frogs trapped in the window wells to moving furniture around the house. I also started donating blood regularly and joined the One Gallon Club.
It may seem that routine blood donations and teaching children about fossils doesn’t translate to a career in space exploration, but, at its core, it’s all about helping others. We have an obligation to our neighbors, our communities, our state, and our country to make our society a better place. We cannot be successful at the expense of others, but rather our success must occur alongside each other. Our impact on our world starts small and is not confined to providing food to a youth center or helping an elderly man with his equipment in class. Our impact is the example we set in those instances. The hope is that those we encounter, or are impacted by our actions, will continue to prioritize doing the right thing, going the extra mile, and trust that their influence will contribute to a positive outcome for the people they encounter on their life’s journey.
I want to revolutionize the rocket industry by creating a more sustainable method of fuel use and improving booster maintenance. Doing this will make space travel more efficient, more economical, and more frequent. We could explore more often and farther than we could in the past. This cutting-edge technology is growing every day, and our knowledge of the universe is expanding at a similar rate. I believe aerospace engineers have the unique opportunity to revolutionize transportation that will also contribute to solving some of the world's most pressing challenges, such as climate change, mitigating carbon impact, and improving agricultural development in harsh environments. But I also want to set the example that our goals within our fields should also prioritize improving our communities and our world.
I am extremely focused on my future, and this scholarship would be monumental in helping me achieve my dreams and assist in leveraging my time at school to focus on my studies. It would allow me to secure lucrative internships within my field, which would improve my networking opportunities, instead of making employment decisions based on my financial burden. I appreciate your time and consideration for this scholarship.
Thank you,
Nathan Peters.
