When Washington State University student Carlos Venegas was asked to design a medallion for WSU’s most prestigious alumni award, he got help for the project in the Frank Innovation Zone (FIZ).
The 3,000 square-foot facility, located on the ground floor of Dana Hall, provides hands-on tools and materials as well as a welcoming community for all WSU Pullman students, fostering inclusivity and supporting students as they bring their ideas to life. A variety of equipment, including woodworking tools, welding tools, laser cutters, and 3D printers, provide the chance for students to work on personal projects, club initiatives, or coursework.
“This is a kind of community space for everyone,” said Zoe Fichtel, a mechanical engineering student who works in the FIZ. “This is where students can go to hang out, work on homework, study, work on whatever projects they have, and just feel a little bit more at home and comfortable while they’re away at school.”
The FIZ was established with support from the Raintree Foundation and continues to operate with philanthropic support. It was named in honor of the late Harold R. Frank, a WSU alumnus who founded Applied Magnetics, a leading manufacturer of magnetic recording heads that were used in computers. Facilities in the FIZ include wood, metal, desktop, and electric testing fabrication studios, a community studio and a service center. The facility is open to all WSU students.
When Venegas, a mechanical engineering major, was asked to create a medallion for WSU’s Regent’s Distinguished Alumni Award, he wanted to produce a high-quality medal using the FIZ equipment. He devoted more than 80 hours to the work, including brainstorming, prototyping, and perfecting the design. The final medallion is made of bronze and stainless steel.
“Carlos was the best fit because I trusted that he would make a medallion to the standard that we would want to see leaving the FIZ,” said Maynard Siev, FIZ manager. “We wanted something that would really showcase the ability of the student, the ability of the space, and then kind of inspire more students that this is what you can do here.”
Many student clubs across campus also use the facilities. The Crimson Robotics Club, for instance, worked in the FIZ to build combat robots for their competitions, including fabricating, machining, welding, and 3D printing their parts. The club has hosted events at WSU, attracting participants from across the region and sparking interest in robotics and engineering.
While the FIZ houses an impressive amount of equipment, providing a sense of inclusivity and belonging in the space is the main goal, said Siev. From the moment prospective students enter, the staff aims to let students know that they belong there.
“When students come down here, they realize that they are not just a checkbox,” he said. “We make sure that from the very first day that they start their time here at WSU, they are remembered and they know that they have a home here with us.”
