The Arkansas Tech University robotics club received congratulatory resolutions from the Arkansas House of Representatives and the Arkansas Senate during ceremonies at the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock on Wednesday, April 9.
The ATU robotics club was hosted at the capitol by ATU alumnus Rep. Scott Richardson of Bentonville and Sen. Breanne Davis of Russellville.
Rep. Matt Duffield of Russellville, Rep. Julie Mayberry of Hensley, Rep. Mindy McAlindon of Centerton, Rep. Nick Burkes of Bentonville and Rep. James Eaton of Kingston, each of whom have students from their district in the ATU robotics club, also spent time with the ATU students and posed for photos with them.
“This year’s team is comprised of both upper and lower classmen who have dedicated countless hours to building, programming and piloting the most competitive robots ATU has ever produced,” said Hunter Mathis of Hope, ATU robotics club president. “This year alone, the ATU robotics club members have invested over 10,000 total hours toward our success.”
The Arkansas Tech University robotics club earned the tournament champion and innovate awards at the 2025 Texas VEX U Tournament at the Clear Creek Independent School District Robotics Event Center in Houston on Friday, Feb. 21, and Saturday, Feb. 22.
The only other institutions to earn multiple awards at the 2025 Texas VEX U Tournament were the University of Texas and Texas A&M University. A total of 15 teams competed in the event.
Based upon its performance at the tournament, the ATU robotics club has qualified for the 2025 VEX U World Championship at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, May 9-11.
Last year, ATU advanced through the qualification stage to reach the elimination round at the VEX U Robotics World Championship and complete the 2023-24 robotics season with a top-4 global skills ranking.
Members of the 2024-25 ATU robotics club are Brady Bray of Greenwood, Preston Diehl of Conway, Jason “Collin” Easterling of Hope, Brandon Gallegos of Hope, Bo Allen Huey of Conway, Raul Hurtado of Conway, Kavin Kannangara of Bentonville, Juan Leon of Hope, Hunter Mathis of Hope, Judit Morales-Mora of Russellville, Ryan Nanthalangsy of Sheridan, Everett Otis of Conway, Brody Peterson of Bentonville, Braden Pierce of Bryant and Cooper Stober of Bentonville.
Jacob Weidenfeller, ATU instructor of electrical engineering and lab director, is sponsor for the ATU robotics club. Steve Ward serves as the club’s co-sponsor.
Membership in the ATU robotics club is open to all students regardless of major.
Current or prospective Arkansas Tech students seeking more information about the ATU robotics club may send e-mail to jweidenfeller@atu.edu.
View the complete Arkansas Senate resolution recognizing the ATU robotics club by clicking here:
https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FSR66.pdf
View the complete Arkansas House of Representatives resolution recognizing the ATU robotics club by clicking here:
https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FBills%2F2025R%2FPublic%2FHR1099.pdf
