CFAES Give Today
Academic Programs

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES

Matthew R. Klopfenstein

Matthew Klopfenstein Head Shot Matthew R. Klopfenstein 

Haviland, OH
Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering - Agricultural Engineering
Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

 

2020 Distinguished Senior Award Celebration Program (.pdf)

2020 Distinguished Senior Award Recipient Showcase Poster (.pdf)

Matthew Klopfenstein’s most valuable undergraduate experience has been his time with the Quarter-Scale Tractor Student Design Team. Together they design, build, test, market, and compete with a custom-built tractor on an international level. The comprehensive nature of these competition events challenged Matthew to connect learning from the classroom to his passions, and has forever changed his performance as an engineer. This experience is also what Matthew notes as his greatest sense of accomplishment. He has served as a leader and made connections for internships as well as a full-time job following graduation.

One of Matthew’s most enjoyable experiences was the time he spent studying abroad in Brazil with Alpha Zeta Partners for six weeks. Being abroad for such a long period of time allowed Matthew to be fully immersed in a culture different from his own. He developed a new understanding for working with others, agriculture, and global engagement.

Matthew has completed internships with 360 Yield Center in Tremont, Illinois as a research and development engineering intern. He held another internship with Precision Planting in Tremont, Illinois, also as a research and development engineering intern, as well as an internship with Kuhn North America Brodhead in Wisconsin where he worked as a product test and evaluation intern. In addition to his internship experiences, Matthew has also served as a research assistant to Dr. Shearer in the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. His work experiences include Cookie Cottage Bakery where he was a contracted engineer to create a cookie chip measurement tool to increase the efficiency of making their most expensive cookie. Matthew also worked at Klopfenstein Family Farms as an assistant farm manager, and as a co-owner of Deborah’s Goldens to breed and sell purebred AKC-registered Golden Retrievers.

Matthew has been actively involved as an undergraduate student in many organizations such as: CFAES Ambassador, ASABE Engineers Club, Quarter-Scale Tractor Team, Alpha Zeta Partners Professional Fraternity, and FarmHouse Fraternity. He has served as a Zig Ziglar Foundation Certified Professional Speaker and Facilitator, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Volunteer, as well as served the Ohio FFA Organization as the State President, Treasurer, and National Officer Candidate.

Matthew’s academic honors and accomplishments include: FarmHouse International Fraternity President of the Year | SPHINX Senior Class Honorary | New Face of ASABE | Dean’s List | Jerry Minore Memorial National Wheat Foundation Scholar | Ohio Soybean Council Scholar | FarmHouse Scholar | Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation Scholar | American FFA Degree Recipient | Agriculture Future of America Leadership Conference Delegate | Joe-Leiser Memorial Ag-Credit Scholar.

After graduating, Matthew will begin his engineering career working for CNH Industrial in Burr Ridge, Illinois as a hydraulic engineer while working towards his Professional Engineers License. Matthew is also getting married early next year to his fiancé, Mary, who he met at Ohio State.

Dr. Scott Shearer is who Matthew identified as his primary mentor. Dr. Shearer serves as Chair for Matthew’s major department, his professor for several courses, an advisor for the Quarter-Scale Tractor Team, and someone Matthew considers a friend. Dr. Shearer challenged Matthew to grow in all facets of his learning. Matthew is grateful to Dr. Shearer for his support and encouragement.

Matthew Klopfenstein - Press Release