Jacqueline Orr (Class of 2014): From Crean Lutheran to the Army to MIT, A Journey of Service and Innovation
Jacqueline Orr, Crean Lutheran High School Class of 2014, exemplifies the school’s core learning outcomes: I am a Christian; I am a Learner; I am a Servant. These traits, grounded in her faith and a Biblical worldview, have been the foundation of her success—whether in high school, college, or life beyond.
After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Jacqueline served for six years with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy—a unit renowned for its combat readiness and NATO integration. Reflecting on her time in the Army, Jacqueline shared, “Airborne units require overcoming an additional litmus test—conquering the fear of jumping from high-performance aircraft, hundreds of feet above the ground.”
While her time in the Army was both challenging and rewarding, Jacqueline’s passion for learning and her servant-hearted approach led her to pursue advanced studies in structural engineering at MIT. Inspired by her senior design project at West Point, she became fascinated with modeling structures and analyzing their behavior under various forces. This curiosity and desire to innovate motivated her to explore topology optimization—a cutting-edge field in engineering.
Jacqueline was awarded the prestigious Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship, allowing her to join the Carstensen Lab at MIT. Under the guidance of Professor Josephine Carstensen, she is exploring ways to optimize structures for strength and efficiency. Jacqueline is grateful for the opportunity to study at MIT, where, she says, “The expertise and innovative research have made this an amazing experience.”
Looking to the future, Jacqueline plans to apply her knowledge in a research-oriented career as part of her DoD service commitment. Her journey serves as an inspiring example of how faith, determination, and a passion for learning can lead to extraordinary opportunities. As a true Saint, Jacqueline continues to live out the principles of being a Christian, a Learner, and a Servant in all she does.
