‘Wartburg helped me grow as an engineer and a person’

From hands-on internships and challenging coursework to snowball fights on the campus lawn, Cody Spiegelhalter ’25 has made the most of his Wartburg experience. Spiegelhalter, who was named the 2025 Outstanding Senior in Engineering, has embraced every opportunity to grow — both as an engineer and as a leader. After graduation, he will return to his hometown of Cedar Rapids, where he will begin his career as a mechanical engineer at BAE Systems.

“Wartburg helped me grow as an engineer and a person by challenging me with rigorous coursework while allowing room for independence and personal development — all while making me feel supported by and connected with my professors and classmates,” said Spiegelhalter, who is also earning concentrations in mechanical and electrical engineering as well as a minor in engineering management.

Spiegelhalter’s time at Wartburg was shaped by a blend of technical learning and real-world experiences. Since his first year, he’s worked part-time as a power systems engineer at John Deere. On campus, he served as a teaching assistant for several engineering courses.  

“Wartburg’s community connections and flexibility provided me with a strong technical foundation on-campus while allowing me to gain meaningful hands-on experience through class labs and off-campus internships,” he said.

Despite his busy schedule, which also includes coaching for the Waverly Area Swim Team, Spiegelhalter also found plenty of time for fun and friends.

“My favorite Wartburg memory would have to be May Term intramural volleyball or impromptu snowball fights on campus lawn,” he said. “I’ll miss the close-knit community and the connections with professors who genuinely care about their students.”

As Spiegelhalter reflects on his time at Wartburg, he shared this advice for students just getting started.

“Step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself! Growth happens when you push yourself to take on something new and difficult — whether it’s a tough course load, a leadership role, or an internship,” said Spiegelhalter. “Pushing yourself will force you to grow and develop.”