What happens when a curious student is encouraged to explore how things work? Just ask Sean Killian, a sophomore electrical engineering and mathematics double major, and a member of the men’s swimming and diving team, who recently redesigned and improved the scoring and timing system at Alfred’s McLane Center swimming pool. His work didn’t just enhance the experience for athletes and spectators; it also saved the university thousands of dollars and showcased the kind of hands-on learning Alfred students experience every day.
Sean arrived at Alfred with a natural interest in electronics and problem-solving. Early on, he noticed something many others had overlooked: during swim meets, the scoreboard didn’t display a live running clock. For Sean, that wasn’t just an inconvenience—it was an opportunity.
With encouragement from teammates and coaches, including head swimming and diving coach Brian Striker, Sean began exploring how the pool’s timing systems, pace clocks, and scoreboard were connected. Instead of treating the facility as “off limits,” Alfred gave him the space and support to learn, experiment, and improve it.
This kind of access reflects Alfred’s commitment to experiential learning—the idea that students learn best when they can apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.
