University of Windsor students turned pre-exam stress into something productive, taking swings at a car for charity and helping drive a $10,000 donation to United Way Windsor-Essex.
Thuds, whacks and music filled the main atrium of the Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation (CEI) as people lined up to donate, select their tool of choice and cause some damage.
"We really wanted to ensure we could contribute to the community in a meaningful way, something local that our students would be able to see firsthand," said Malek Mekawi, a fourth-year electrical and computer engineering student and president of the Engineering Students' Society (ESS), which hosted the charity event.
Engineering Students' Society president Malek Mekawi, Faculty of Engineering Dean Dr. Bill Van Heyst and UWindsor student Adrian Yonan at the charity car smash event at the University of Windsor on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (ANGELA KHARBOUTLI/ University of Windsor)
"Dean (Bill) Van Heyst had the opening smash, so he kicked things off for us."
"It was a lot of fun," Van Heyst said. "It's all for a good cause, and it helps people get some aggression out and socialize."
Organizers set up a "menu" of sorts, offering students, staff and faculty a range of options for their donations. Depending on their contribution, participants could choose to take a swing with a sledgehammer, baseball bat, golf club or even a pool noodle.
The ESS purchased the car at a discounted rate from Darryl Danelon, acting associate dean of the Faculty of Engineering, after learning he was looking to sell it.
"You could tell which students had some exam anxiety building up," he said.
Faculty of Engineering Acting Associate Dean Darryl Danelon in the car he donated at the charity car smash event at the University of Windsor on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (ANGELA KHARBOUTLI/ University of Windsor)
Danelon said that before the car took its hits, students explored it by taking it apart and looking inside its components, including removing the windshield and lights.
"They were really excited to learn what was inside the car," he said. "They did it all on their own time, and it was great seeing them building friendships and learning at the same time."
The ESS set a $10,000 fundraising goal, working toward it through two events: a gala earlier in the year and the car smash.
"I have to say, on behalf of the Faculty of Engineering, these students are absolutely amazing. It's great to see them thinking beyond themselves already," said Van Heyst.
The gala raised nearly $5,000, and the car smash added about $2,000. The ESS board of directors then topped up the remaining amount using reserve funds, bringing the total donation to the United Way Windsor-Essex to $10,000, which was presented at a cheque presentation on April 9.
Members of the Engineering Students' Society and Dr. Bill Van Heyst with the $10,000 cheque presented to the United Way at the University of Windsor on Thursday, April 9, 2026. (LINDSAY CHARLTON/ University of Windsor)
"We have a very generous United Way campaign on campus that already engages staff and faculty," said Anjana Jacob, United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent development analysis and planning team lead. "But when we see students at this stage in their lives, with everything else they're balancing, starting to think about giving back, it's really heartwarming."
She added the experience helps set a lasting example.
"It's a great precedent to set, because when they move on into their careers and return to the community as adults, we want them to continue thinking about ways they can give back, whether that's through financial contributions, volunteering or sharing their skills and expertise," said Jacob.
All funds raised will go toward the United Way's On Track to Success program.
"My mom participated in a United Way volunteer initiative through her work in Vancouver, and I heard how much the program did for students there," said Diya Boparai, ESS vice-president, internal, who helped select this year's charity recipient. "When I saw there was a local chapter in Windsor-Essex, I thought it would be a great opportunity for us to support a local initiative."
"We wanted to make sure that we chose a charity that reflected our mandate inside and outside the classroom as engineers," Mekawi added.
"We like to nickname ourselves the guardian society stewards of the resources around us that we rely on, and we recognize that our ethical and moral responsibility to the community extends beyond that."
Launched 11 years ago, the On Track to Success program offers support to at-risk youth, ensuring they have an opportunity to reach their full potential, Jacob said.
The program provides after-school academic tutoring, leadership development, social and career programming, counselling and food assistance when needed, helping students stay in school and transition into post-secondary education or skilled trades.
"Our goal is really to get as many students as possible taking the next step with their education, whether that be college, university or skilled trades. We know how vital it is to their ability to thrive as adults and move into a career field that is going to be promising for them in the future," she said.
Jacob said there are currently 61 University of Windsor graduates on campus who are alumni of the On Track to Success program, including four in the Faculty of Engineering.
