May 12, 2022

VINCENNES, Ind. – Caleb Wayman, site director of the Vincennes University Advanced Internship in Manufacturing (AIM) Program, has been recognized as an emerging leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics. He is among 30 honorees under 30 years of age named to the Conexus Indiana Rising 30 Class of 2022.

"This year we are honoring 30 young professionals who not only are doing amazing work now, but who will help our industries lead during a time of dramatic change," said Fred Cartwright, president and CEO of Conexus Indiana in a press release. "This is the second year for Rising 30, and now we can count 60 young industry leaders who will inspire the next generation of talent and be at the forefront of new technologies, such as 3D printing, artificial intelligence and cobots, that define the 4^th Industrial Revolution and beyond.”

Wayman was celebrated for his early career achievements along with other young industry professionals in Indianapolis on Wednesday, May 11.

“I am both very proud and excited for this honor,” Wayman said. “Being selected brings a spotlight to both the program and Vincennes University as a whole. VU is a very important partner in the manufacturing world in Indiana.”

The Rising 30 recognizes 30 honorees under the age of 30 who are shaping the future of advanced manufacturing and logistics and driving the industries forward successfully with exceptional leadership and innovative thinking.

VU College of Technology Dean Ty Freed said, “Caleb is an outstanding faculty member and has made great strides in moving the AIM program forward.  He is very deserving of this award.”

Freed added, “Caleb demonstrates tremendous focus and determination for the AIM program and brings students and industry partners together to strengthen Indiana manufacturing.”

VU’s AIM program is a partnership with Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Caterpillar Inc., Voestalpine Rotec, Heartland Automotive LLC, Nanshan, ARaymond, BraunAbility, Evonik, Nucor, Wabash National, Banjo Corporation, Closure Systems International, LSC Communications, Danville Metal Stamping, and Purdue Polytechnic Institute.

Students in the AIM program earn wages while pursuing an associate degree in Advanced Manufacturing Automation Technology with an Industrial Maintenance concentration that combines cutting-edge curriculum and work experience.

Wayman works with industry partners in the greater Lafayette area to help fill the demand for skilled maintenance technicians. He is making a tremendous impact on the advanced manufacturing field in Indiana by teaching, leading, and mentoring the next generation of highly skilled technicians who are in high demand by world-class manufacturers.

“The students are learning skills that are going to put them in the forefront of the new manufacturing that is taking place,” Wayman said. “Some of these students are going to go on to become engineers, project managers, or leaders in manufacturing.”

Wayman is a graduate of the AIM program. He enrolled at VU after graduating from West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School and following a military career as a Marine. He served in the 3^rd Light Armor Reconnaissance Battalion out of Twentynine Palms, California. He worked as a diesel mechanic on light armored vehicles. He was one of two Marines who received a superior enlisted performer award for the base where he was stationed. He was also selected for a meritorious promotion to sergeant.

After the Marines, Wayman enrolled in the AIM program in 2017. He interned with Caterpillar and Subaru of Indiana Automotive. He graduated from VU with honors in 2019. He transferred to Purdue Polytechnic Lafayette and earned a bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Technology in addition to an organizational leadership certificate.

Before he joined the VU faculty in January 2022, he was employed by Caterpillar and Subaru of Indiana Automotive.

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