Student Spotlight:
Martin Hundrup

What makes Washington State University’s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture stand out from the crowd for those looking to get a degree?

We ask computer science major Martin Hundrup for his thoughts on what makes WSU such a special place.

Martin was awarded Voiland College’s 2025 Outstanding Junior of the Year. He is a teaching assistant for three courses and currently serves as President of the Game Development Club. He also has an internship at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) and works as an undergraduate research assistant at WSU’s Software Engineering Lab, where he has worked on a Department of Homeland Security-funded project.

What made you decide to attend WSU?

Location was a big factor for me; I grew up in Western Washington, so Pullman is close enough to home that I can drive over relatively quickly without feeling like I haven’t moved. I also loved Pullman itself – I am not a city person, so it being a quieter town while still offering many amenities was great. I’ve always been a logic-oriented person – for a while I thought I wanted to go into pure mathematics or a classical engineering program, but when I found programming through teaching myself game development in high school I knew this is what I wanted to pursue immediately.

What has been your favorite class or program that you have been involved with at WSU?

Hands down my favorite classes are Program Design and Development (CPTS 121) and Data Structures (CPTS 122). Andy O’Fallon, the professor teaching them, has been an invaluable help to everyone enrolled and the entire department. He has a tough task introducing programming to so many that haven’t done anything of the sort before, and he does an excellent job! This is why I’ve been TA-ing for him for the past two years.

Have you participated in any research projects related to your field of study?

Yep! I spent a few months on the WSU Undergraduate Software Engineering Team, where we worked on a research project funded by the Department of Homeland Security. This was a great experience to work with others, get used to a large project, all while getting support from grad students and faculty, and, of course, getting paid!

Have you participated in any internships related to your field of study?

I recently started a position at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) on their software research and development team! SEL is a local company that treats their interns very well, understanding that academics come first.

What clubs are you involved in on campus?

The Game Development Club! I co-founded it with a friend who is graduating this semester, and it’s been amazing to start the community and see it grow an sustain itself over the past two years. 10/10 club, would co-found again.

Why would you recommend attending Washington State University?

Washington State University, in addition to having excellent engineering programs, also has an amazing student focused community. There are so many student lead clubs, programs, organizations, and communities that help everyone thrive and feel welcomed in.

What advice do you have for fellow or prospective students?

Study! I know it’s not fun, but I find genuine enjoyment in the tougher problems assigned to me in computer science. For the good classes, not a single minute of homework feels like a chore. The first year of computer science is, in my opinion, is the hardest. That’s not due to the classes being the hardest, but due to many still getting acclimated to the work-life balance a STEM degree requires. Also reaching out and utilizing teaching assistants (such as myself!) is a great way to learn and get inside knowledge!

What do you want to do with your degree after you graduate?

In an ideal world I would pursue game development professionally. I’ve found it to be the perfect intersection of art, creativity, world building, and of course, programming! I am also considering graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. in computer science/software engineering.