William Bernal

Engineering, ice hockey and 3D printing — three passions that fueled William Bernal’s journey at Arizona State University. As a manufacturing engineering major and outstanding graduate in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, he thrives on innovation, teamwork and turning bold ideas into tangible solutions.

For Bernal, ASU’s Polytechnic campus provided the ideal environment. It offered the hands-on, immersive learning he craved, allowing him to grow as an engineer while also pursuing his love for hockey. Balancing academics with athletics, he earned several scholarships, including the Sun Devil State Scholarship, New American University Scholarship, President’s Scholarship and the Fulton Schools Graduate Scholarship. His dedication and hard work earned him a spot on the dean’s list eight times, as well as prestigious recognition as an American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 3 All-Athletic hockey player.

Bernal became a cornerstone of ASU’s club ice hockey team, serving as the goaltender during the team’s inaugural season. He played a leading role throughout his first three seasons, bringing the same mindset to the rink that he brought to engineering — strategic, steady and always ready to take on the next challenge.

One of the standout moments in his ASU journey was his capstone project, where he designed an automated system from scratch. With a keen eye for detail, he defined the specifications for a pneumatic system and 3D-printed more than 50 components in his own home. For Bernal, engineering is more than theory; it’s about bringing ideas to life.

Outside of academics and athletics, he enjoys watching The Martian, following Red Bull Racing in Formula 1 and playing Gran Turismo.

Looking ahead, Bernal plans to remain in Arizona and join AeroSpec Inc. in Chandler as a system engineer. His passion for automation development and machine design aligns seamlessly with his problem-solving mindset, and he is eager to contribute to the future of automation and manufacturing.

As he graduates with a degree in manufacturing engineering, Bernal leaves ASU with a wealth of experiences, skills and friendships that have shaped him into a well-rounded engineer and leader. Whether designing automated systems, stopping pucks on the ice, or perfecting a 3D-printed component, Bernal exemplifies how passion can lead to success.

Read about other exceptional graduates of the Fulton Schools’ spring 2025 class here.