From volunteering her time to spearheading a matching gift challenge, junior civil engineering major Helen Bechthold is redefining what it means to give back.
In April, Bechthold sponsored a $5,000 matching gift challenge for the We Energies STEM Center during MSOE Giving Day. Her challenge was fulfilled—and then some—contributing $13,980 to a record-breaking $921,592 raised for MSOE in less than 24 hours.
“The STEM Center’s hands-on programs empower thousands of kids from diverse backgrounds to explore STEM,” said Bechthold. “By supporting the center, I aim to create opportunities for young minds to learn, grow and find what excites them.”
The importance of supporting others was instilled in Bechthold and her siblings at a young age. Her mother regularly brought her and her siblings to volunteer at the Salvation Army, teaching them the value of compassion and service.
By middle school, Bechthold had found her calling supporting access to education. Through a partnership with Sharp Literacy, she helped collect donations for Browning Elementary School—enough to provide an entire third-grade class with new books. In high school, she led a book drive that gathered more than a thousand books for Zablocki Elementary School. After graduating from the University School of Milwaukee in 2023, Bechthold chose to attend MSOE and study civil engineering, continuing a family legacy of careers in construction.
Her great-grandfather was the founder of Walbec, a company that provides construction, infrastructure and engineering services across Wisconsin. Today, her family is part of the Walbec ownership group, and she credits her family’s work for helping her understand the long-term impact of building strong communities. “Growing up, my grandfather’s and father’s work on infrastructure projects inspired me to see the impact of building something tangible that serves communities.”
At MSOE, Bechthold is not only focused on academics, she’s also deeply involved in student life. She serves on the Student Alumni Association Board, plays for the women’s hockey team and serves as a representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), where she also leads the mental health board. In her role, Bechthold has implemented new initiatives to raise mental health awareness among student-athletes and is excited to continue her efforts as the SAAC vice president. “It’s been so fulfilling to raise awareness around this important subject. I truly enjoy advocating for student athletes while also expanding my leadership skills.”
She also continues to look for opportunities to support the STEM Center. This past summer, Bechthold and her brother volunteered at one of the STEM Center’s youth summer camps—an experience that made her commitment even more personal.
“Having the opportunity to work with kids is special. I think as students, we take it for granted how challenging it can be to learn and study new things. So for me, the most important and rewarding part is helping them tackle these new skills and seeing how happy they are when they’re doing it.”
When it comes to inspiring other MSOE students considering giving back to areas on campus, her advice is simple and powerful. “Start small but think big—it’s never too early to make a difference in the world you want to see.”
