University of Tennessee
Materials Science & Engineering Department


Melanie Moczadlo & SLOPE Honored for Their Service
Knoxville, TN, April 30, 2024


The student organization, SLOPE (Service Learning and Outreach with 3D Printers for Engineers), was recognized with the 2024 University of Tennessee Extraordinary Community Service Award. Three SLOPE officers, all students at the University of Tennessee, attended the Chancellor's Honors Banquet to receive the award. More information on the award is here.

(from left to right) SLOPE officers, Joshua Lefkoff, Melanie Moczadlo & Nicholas Jakobsen at the Chancellor's Honors Banquet.


SLOPE officers with Chancellor Plowman.
Over the years, SLOPE has participated in many outreach events. We link to a few early articles about SLOPE below:

For the past four years, Melanie Moczadlo (MSE BS 2023, MSE MS 2024) has served as president of SLOPE. She has carried on the SLOPE tradition of bringing 3D printers into East Tennessee Children's Hospital as a way to use 3D printing to improve the lives of children with serious illnesses.


SLOPE uses 3D printing to honor United States military veterans. HonorAir Knoxville takes World War II, Korean and Vietnam veterans from East Tennessee to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built to honor their sacrifice—at no charge to the veteran. Before the event, students in SLOPE create over one hundred 3D printed medallions designed with a bald eagle and their flight number. The students greet the veterans at the arrival ceremony at McGhee-Tyson Airport and present a commemorative medallion to each veteran.



Congratulations to all the members of SLOPE on this well-deserved recognition.

More photos on the Keffer research group site.