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From Tinkering to Engineering: Alec Briggs Finds His Path

Posted By Cameron Begue

Nov 11, 2026 | Current Students Engineering Financial Aid General Blogs Pre-College

When Alec Briggs ’30 was in third grade, his mother coached Canaseraga Central’s robotics team. He tagged along with her students on a trip to Alfred University to participate in a robotics program. Xingwu Wang, a professor of electrical engineering, taught the class and gave young Alec a box of components for him to tinker with. Eleven years later, Alec started his first year at Alfred University as an electrical engineering student.

“It was something I could fiddle with to keep me occupied; I think that kind of got the ball rolling with me coming to Alfred.”

Alec continued his interest in robotics throughout high school, joining the robotics club at Canaseraga. There, he competed in VEX Robotics competitions at state, national, and international levels. These competitions helped Alex realize his passion for engineering and his aspiration to research, design, and build computer hardware.

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Coming back to Alfred

For Alec, Alfred is a family affair. His cousin David graduated from Alfred University with a degree in electrical engineering in 1996. David now works for Group CBS, a Texas-based provider for the power distribution industry. Alec’s formative experience and family legacy at Alfred drew him to continue his passion and education at Alfred University after graduating from high school.

Expanding horizons

In his first semester at Alfred, Alec has already considered adding a minor in science or ceramic engineering while focusing on electro-ceramics. Not all of Alec’s new interests stem from engineering; Alfred University’s wide selection of classes and opportunities has broadened his horizons. He joined the rugby team after his fellow electrical engineering major, Chevy Adriaans, recommended he give it a try. So far, his favorite class has been Fundamentals of Dance, a totally different environment from his roots in robotics.

Like Alec, students can find opportunities to explore their interests and pursue their goals close to home at Alfred University.

Alfred offers a variety of scholarships and grants, including the Closer to Home Scholarship for students from eligible counties in New York and Pennsylvania.

Learn more about scholarship opportunities at Alfred University.

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About the Writer

Meet Cameron

Cameron Begue is a junior at Alfred University from Long Island, New York, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Communication Studies. As a student writer for The Spark, Cameron highlights the unique community and culture at Alfred University. His interests include history, current events and physical media. He is a passionate writer and member of Alfred’s Fiat Lux newspaper, hoping to build a successful career in journalism. On the weekends, Cameron enjoys browsing local thrift stores and visiting friends across campus.

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