Carnegie Mellon University
September 06, 2012

Media Advisory: Carnegie Mellon Engineering Students To Thank and Honor Injured Clairton Police Officer James Kuzak Jr. With Race Car Dedication

Contact: Chriss Swaney / 412-268-5776 / swaney@andrew.cmu.edu

SAEEvent: Carnegie Mellon University's Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) Race Team will rededicate its formula-one-style race car to honor injured Clairton police Officer James Kuzak Jr., who was shot three times responding to a home invasion last year. The CMU students also created a huge "Thank You" plaque for Kuzak, who donated critical automotive tools for maintenance of the race car.

Adam Brecher, a senior in mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon and head of the SAE race team, is hosting the event, dubbed "Driving Dedicated: Honoring Sacrifice," to raise awareness for the veteran officer still recovering from his injuries and for his support of the SAE race team. Ceremonial bagpipers will play as students and Carnegie Mellon police help Kuzak engrave an honor patch on the race vehicle before a test run. The CMU team will participate in a series of collegiate races throughout the United States this semester, including the Goodyear Formula SAE Shootout competition in Akron, Ohio, later this month.

"This is a wonderful way to have our students experience community service activities and apply what they learn in the lab to real world experiences," said John Wiss, an adjunct lecturer in CMU's Department of Mechanical Engineering and SAE faculty adviser.

The public is invited to the event, which includes lunch and a decorative cake donated by Oakmont Bakery.

When:
Noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 11.

Where:
Scaife Hall Garden, off Frew Street, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213.

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