Jaxson Bonsall earned his associate degree from Rowan College at Burlington County just one month before receiving his high school diploma. While enrolled in high school, Bonsall took classes at RCBC and worked as an electronics repair technician at Radwell International. These experiences laid the groundwork for his transfer to Virginia Tech to study ocean engineering.
“I decided to study at RCBC because I could get a jump start on my ambitions to study Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture. Engineering seemed like a natural fit for me, as I have always enjoyed learning about how things are made, as well as engaging in practical, hands-on learning activities,” Bonsall shared. “Another plus is that studying at RCBC allowed me to earn my associate degree while still in high school at a very affordable tuition. The education I received at RCBC prepared me for my transition to Virginia Tech’s Engineering program.”
At Virginia Tech, Bonsall works on multiple design teams, including the Human Powered Submarine, where he improves safety mechanisms and electronic systems. His efforts directly impact both diver safety and the diver’s ability to navigate the submarine. Additionally, he is a member of the Hyperloop Team, where he built and designed a vehicle that travels at speeds of over 300 miles per hour inside a vacuum tube.
Bonsall’s maritime interests reach into his personal life as well, as he enjoys SCUBA diving during his free time and is a certified rescue diver; he’s working toward his master diver certification. He also enjoys snow and water skiing.
Bonsall hopes to someday work as a marine engineer and naval architect to design and build eco-friendly, sustainable cruise ships. He couldn’t have chosen a better time to dive into this career path, as the maritime industry is finding itself under increasing scrutiny due to emissions produced and associated health risks. In fact, according to a recent study by the European think tank Transport & Environment, large cruise ships pollute ten times more than all 260 million of Europe’s cars. Bonsall hopes to implement a sustainable solution to this growing problem.
“I've always been inspired by Elon Musk's pursuits to accelerate the transition to renewable energy with vehicles and power consumption, which in turn led me to pursue an interest in renewable energy transportation. Additionally, I've always taken interest in water and any activity pertaining to it. In choosing this career path, I was able to combine my interests in working on ships and decreasing pollution to create a healthier living environment,” Bonsall said.
Jaxson's story is part of RCBC’s 50 stories for 50 years. In honor of the college’s 50th anniversary, RCBC is profiling students, faculty, administrators, alumni and the college community. Anyone interested in being featured can contact rcbcnews@rcbc.edu. To follow along on social media, use #RCBC50Stories.