Clarkson Donation Ignites Creativity
A generous gift to Clarkson University Athletics will keep the ice at Cheel Arena pristine for years to come, and its impact is already reaching beyond the rink and into the Golden Knight community.
When Mechanical and Aerospace sophomore Daniel Galko learned that Clarkson alumnus and trustee David F. Glenn ’82 funded the school’s recent purchase of a new ice resurfacer, he set out to make miniature keepsake replicas of the machine for Glenn and his family members to cherish.
“I wanted to show my appreciation and make something meaningful for him,” Galko says. Galko, an Ignite Presidential Fellow and student-athlete, is heavily involved with the on-campus innovation hub, Clarkson Ignite. As a Maker Mentor with Ignite, he often works alongside peers and faculty members through the Dorf Makerspace and Makers’ Loft, two state-of-the-art facilities where engineering prototypes, research initiatives and entrepreneurial visions come to life.
“It’s what ultimately drew me to Clarkson,” Galko says of Ignite. “I didn’t have any hands-on 3D printing experience before college, but my time as a Maker Mentor has provided me with endless opportunities for gaining critical real-world skills.”
From Ideation to Creation
With input from his fellow Maker Mentors, Galko worked alongside Ignite Director Ashley Sweeney and Associate Athletic Director Ben Gaebel to manufacture four ice resurfacer replicas out of plastic 3D filament, ranging from a small 3.5-inch model to one measuring about 12 inches.
Given the project’s scope and swift timeline, Galko utilized his computer-aided design (CAD) skills to refine and personalize an existing 3D model. He mapped out each replica’s dimensions, features and details, adding Glenn’s name to the front as the final touch.
“Throughout my 3D printing experience, this was one of the riskier and more time-consuming projects I’ve done,” Galko says. “There were thousands of things that could go wrong, and I wanted to make sure everything went right.”
Galko used the Dorf Makerspace’s Prusa XL 3D printers, which build large-scale objects layer by layer from melted plastic and have the capacity to print multi-color, to produce the replicas. The manufacturing process took about one week to complete.
“That’s kind of the beauty of 3D printing,” Galko says. “I can start the print and let it run while I go to class, eat and sleep.”
Galko presented the replicas to Glenn during the alumnus’ recent visit to campus, which also included attending a hockey game at Cheel Arena.
“I enjoyed talking with him and am appreciative of his continued support towards Clarkson,” Galko said upon meeting Glenn on campus. “I have a lot of respect for him and I’m grateful for this opportunity.”
Giving Back to the Game
Until recently, the University had been borrowing a local high school’s ice resurfacer while its own machine, which is more than 15 years old, underwent repairs out of state. The unit’s frequent and costly maintenance is what ultimately prompted Glenn’s gift, according to Clarkson Athletics and Recreation Director Laurel Kane.
“When he asked us about the cost of repairs and learned more about the situation, he immediately offered to purchase a new machine for the University,” Kane says. “He recognized its importance to the program and wanted to make a direct and meaningful impact.” Glenn says hockey was a central part of his own Clarkson experience, and this gift provides a meaningful way to honor that lasting connection.
“I never missed a home game,” says Glenn.
He also supported the team’s postseason play, traveling to Boston for Eastern College Athletic Conference games and attending NCAA Tournament matchups at Walker Arena, the team’s former home rink.
And he wasn’t always behind the glass—Glenn spent four years on the ice, wearing a Golden Knights jersey as an intramural hockey player.
“Over the last several years, I have continually looked for opportunities to help make Clarkson better,” Glenn says. “When I learned that the school’s current resurfacer was broken, out for repairs, and near the end of its life, I felt this was the perfect opportunity for me to give back.” While the new Zamboni-brand ice resurfacer is expected to arrive later this summer, the project has already left a lasting impact on the Golden Knight community. For Galko, manufacturing the replicas was another example of how Ignite’s hands-on learning opportunities allow talented students to turn innovative ideas into impactful real-world creations.
“I wouldn’t have been able to finish this project without the support of my peers,” Galko says. “That’s one thing I really love about Ignite, we’re basically one big family. “ For Glenn, the replicas serve as a tangible connection to cherished Clarkson memories and a lasting symbol of the arena’s next chapter. They have also sparked excitement and conversation among his family and friends.
“I’m proud we will have a new Zamboni in time for next season,” Glenn says. “I look forward to taking pictures of my adult children and young grandson aboard it.”