Henry Finch, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, was selected as the spring 2025 Outstanding Co-op Student by the Engineering Career Development Center. Finch is currently completing his third and final term with Lavender, Inc. in Aliceville, Alabama, where he has served as a project manager co-op within the engineering and project management teams.
This past spring, Finch gained hands-on experience both in the field and in the office. He began at a plant, learning a variety of crafts and participating in manual labor to understand the work before collaborating with engineers and project managers on take-offs and bid work. He later returned to the field at a new plant, continuing to expand his technical and leadership skills.
Reflecting on the co-op program, Finch said, “I have had a great experience with the Cooperative Education program. The skills it has helped me refine, like leadership, teamwork and time management, will help me in any career. It has shown me exactly what I would like to do in my future endeavors and has given me real-world, hands-on experience.”
Finch’s supervisor, Sara Lavender Burkhalter, vice president at Lavender, Inc., commended his initiative and composure on the job. She noted that Finch is “proactive and eager for the next challenge” and recalled his calm response during an explosion near the company’s work site, showing maturity and leadership beyond what is expected of a co-op student.
In addition to demonstrating strong leadership and safety awareness, Finch has contributed to projects ranging from $500,000 to more than $1 million. He has led crews on-site, coordinated with equipment teams and ensured piping circuits are completed for customer use.
Finch said receiving the Outstanding Co-op Student award is a highlight of his time at UA. “I am very honored to have received this award. This award represents a semester of hard work and overcoming obstacles to achieve a collective goal with my coworkers. The knowledge that the University has given me has helped me succeed in all aspects of my co-op,” he said.
For more information about the College’s Cooperative Education program, visit https://coop.sa.ua.edu/cooperative-education/.