Challey Spotlight: Jack Stoppleworth

Challey Student Spotlight: Jack Stoppleworth
NDSU Sophomore in Mechanical Engineering

Jack Stoppleworth, a sophomore at North Dakota State University majoring in Mechanical Engineering, has always been drawn to the world of invention and design. Inspired at a young age by figures like Alexander Graham Bell, Jack never considered another path. “Engineering was always the plan,” he said. “It just fit.”

Raised in Kindred, North Dakota, and based in Fargo his entire life, Jack brings a strong sense of purpose to his academic journey. While the breadth of material in his coursework was unexpected, he’s found clarity in mechanical engineering’s flexibility and potential to intersect with his growing interest in biomedical applications.

Jack’s connection to the Challey Institute began with a scholarship and the Certificate in Private Enterprise. Entrepreneurship runs in his family. His mom has operated a small business for over a decade, and Jack sees that experience as a driving force in his career aspirations. “I’ve seen both the challenges and the rewards of running a business,” he said. “It’s something I want to be part of.”

His involvement with the Challey Institute quickly expanded. In courses like ECON 205 and 491, Jack found value in conversations that pushed him beyond surface-level talking points. “Challey has helped me build arguments based on logic and data,” he said. “It’s introduced me to topics I never would’ve encountered otherwise.”

One event that left a lasting impression was a talk by Dr. Raymond March on FDA regulations and healthcare policy. “That one stuck with me,” he said. “It opened my eyes to healthcare regulation in a way I hadn’t considered before.”

Outside of academics, Jack is actively involved in the St. Paul Newman Center, where he lives, leads a Bible study, and has taken part in mission trips and retreats. A recent trip to Peru was especially impactful. “It was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life,” he said. “It showed me the power of service and strengthened my faith.”

Looking ahead, Jack is exploring a range of possibilities—from working as a design engineer in biomedical fields to pursuing graduate school or long-term mission work through organizations like FOCUS. Wherever he ends up, he hopes to eventually return to North Dakota and continue doing purposeful work.

His view of human flourishing reflects both his faith and his values. “Humans are made for labor, leisure, and love,” he said, echoing that of Fr. Mike Schmitz. “We’re meant to work meaningfully, enjoy life, and have strong relationships with God and each other. That’s what a good life looks like.”

Jack enjoys wakeboarding, woodworking, and traveling—his favorite destination so far has been King’s Lake in Germany, where a boat ride and a rare echo made a lasting memory. He’s also an avid reader, with recent favorites including Man of the Beatitudes, Treasure in Clay, The History of Love, and all novels by Michael Connelly.

The Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth aims to advance understanding in the areas of innovation, trade, institutions, and human potential to identify policies and solutions that enhance economic growth and opportunity. Learn more at www.ndsu.edu/challeyinstitute