The Enterprise Program awards the Enterprise Distinguished Service Awards to recognize the dedication and exceptional contributions of advisors and champions who have played pivotal roles in shaping the program’s success. Each of the award winners has more than 15 years of service within Enterprise, dedicating their time and expertise to guiding teams, ensuring student success, and advancing the program’s discovery-based learning mission.
The recipients of the Enterprise Distinguished Service Award are Jim DeClerck, Scott Kuhl, Erin Smith, and Ruth Archer. This four-part series highlights the contributions of each award recipient.
Scott Kuhl, associate professor of Computer Science and affiliated associate professor of Psychology and Human Factors, has been shaping the Husky Game Development Enterprise for more than a decade. When he arrived at Michigan Tech in 2009, the Enterprise was advised by Robert Pastel. Kuhl stepped into the advisor role in 2010 and has guided the team ever since, helping it grow into a vibrant, multidisciplinary community where students learn the full lifecycle of video game development.
“For students who want direct experience making video games, Husky Games is the main way to get it at Michigan Tech,” Kuhl says. “The University’s computer science program now includes a game development concentration, and that’s helped strengthen the pipeline.”
A Space Where Students Create What They Love
For Kuhl, the best part of advising Husky Games is watching students bring their ideas to life.
“The final products are fun. Seeing the team be successful — that’s what I enjoy. The goal is to build a game that gets a lot of plays and looks polished.”
Students are drawn to the Enterprise because it gives them a chance to create something meaningful, even if breaking into the gaming industry is notoriously difficult. “One student told me, ‘Husky Games is why I came to Tech,’” Kuhl says. “They do it because they love it.”
Projects That Stand Out
Over the years, Husky Game Development has taken on a wide range of projects, some purely creative and others developed for real clients.
One memorable collaboration came from Matthew Spencer, a Michigan Tech alumnus who runs Yooper Games Studio in Chassell. He provided the team with an existing game, Super Battle Polycars, and asked them to create a mod. The students built Polycar Blitz, which is now available to play on Steam. “We are currently working with Yooper Games again on a new project,” Kuhl says. “It’s a great opportunity for students to get real experience.”
The team has also partnered with the Michigan State Police to create a game for community outreach. “Kids like video games, so it made sense,” Kuhl explains. “The initial goal of the game was to showcase things the department did that people were less familiar with, but the game ultimately became a vehicle chase game that runs in a web browser so that it’s easy to use with community outreach. We enjoyed working with the Michigan State Police, making improvements on their feedback, and building a game for them to use.”
Husky Games is one of the few Enterprise teams with limited corporate sponsorship, which gives students creative freedom but also means they must generate their own project ideas. With ten internal teams and good participation from Sound Design majors, the Enterprise has become a collaborative hub for students across disciplines.
Kuhl notes that several alumni have gone on to impressive careers, including Steven Green, who came through Husky Games, works internationally as a technical sound designer in the gaming industry, and teaches courses for Michigan Tech.
Leadership, Iteration, and Community
Kuhl describes his role as “managing managers.” The Enterprise is run by committee, and student leadership is central to its success. With students graduating every year, the Enterprise experiences constant turnover, and new participants must quickly adjust to the demands of effective leadership. “We ask a lot of them,” he says. “But they do a great job.”
“It can be a struggle to manage it all,” he continues, “but every year I make one to three tweaks to help things go better. I look at it like any other university course — you’re always improving.”
He also values the Enterprise’s diversity across majors and years in school. “That mix makes the team stronger.”
Reflecting on the Honor
Receiving the Enterprise Distinguished Service Award gave Kuhl a moment to reflect on the program’s impact. “This is the only way to get experience making games,” he says. “Students learn so much by doing. I’m proud of what they’ve accomplished and grateful to be part of their journey.”
About the Enterprise Program
Michigan Tech’s Enterprise Program offers students a unique, hands-on learning experience that goes beyond the classroom. With more than 25+ Enterprise teams spanning disciplines such as engineering, business, computing, and science, students collaborate on real-world projects sponsored by industry and government partners. Enterprise students develop technical expertise, leadership skills, and teamwork experience—preparing them for success in their careers. Many teams work on cutting-edge innovations, from automotive and aerospace to sustainability and emerging technologies.
Explore the Enterprise Program experience and see how you can get involved! Follow Michigan Tech Enterprise on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest updates.