You may have seen J.W. and Lori Bruce with their son, Walker, riding their three-seat tandem bicycle around town or in the annual Christmas parade, dressed up as Santa and his reindeer.
Both are electrical and computer engineering professors in MSU's Bagley College of Engineering and have been at MSU for 12 years. Lori also is the associate dean for research and graduate studies and the interim director of the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory. Students call them "Mr. Dr. Bruce" and "Mrs. Dr. Bruce."
Their lives revolve around engineering, in one way or another. In fact, the two met as undergraduates in an engineering class.
"I like to tell the students in my classes that the person they are sitting next to could be their future spouse," Lori said.
Their hobbies also reflect their chosen careers. J.W. recently received his private pilot's license and the family now owns a Piper Cherokee Warrior airplane, which they already have taken on several trips, helping fuel six-year-old Walker's love of airplanes.
"Flying a plane is like driving a car in some ways, but the hard part is the landing," J.W. said.
Tandem biking is another of the family's hobbies. Lori and J.W. have tandem biked for years, and even used to mountain bike in tandem, although not since Walker came along.
"I've always loved cycling and anything about bicycles. I even had a bicycle project when I was a 4-H member," Lori said.
The Bruces were instrumental in founding the Bulldog Cycling Club in Starkville.