Senior project could be seen on world stage

  Thursday, May 8, 2014 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Sometimes the greatest ideas result from necessity. That was certainly the case for Hunter Morrison, a senior wood technology major at Pittsburg State. 

When it came time to choose what to build for his senior project, the Lenexa native combined creativity with practicality.

“I knew I would be graduating soon, and one of the things I was going to need was a desk,” he said. “It seemed to make sense to build a desk as my senior project.”

But he didn’t build just any old desk. His senior project is a mix of exotic woods, glass and nearly 200 hours of hard work.

“I wanted my senior project to stand out,” he said. “I wanted to take on a challenging project that I’d be proud of in the end.”

At a cost of more than $1,500, Morrison’s desk caught the eyes of his classmates and faculty.

“I’m extremely impressed by his creation,” said assistant professor of wood technology Doug Hague. “Our students always do a great job on their senior projects, but Hunter really went above and beyond what we usually see.”

Soon the woodworking world may get to see what Morrison created, as the desk will be entered into the student competition category of the 2014 International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta, Ga.

The event, which takes place in mid-August, is the largest showcase of machinery, materials, supplies, and services in the Western Hemisphere for woodworking and related industries. If Morrison’s desk is chosen as a finalist, it will be displayed at the expo for a final judging.

“I think Hunter’s desk has a very good chance of earning a spot onto the floor of that fair,” Hague said. “It’s incredibly well done, and it’s one of the more complex builds we’ve ever seen here. It deserves to be seen on the international stage.”

Morrison, who will be in California this summer on an internship with Fender Guitars, said he’s hopeful his desk will be chosen.

“I’d love to see the desk end up at the woodworking fair,” he said. “Even if it doesn’t make it, though, I’m very proud of it. It was a labor of love for me.”