Max Krueger always encourages others to look at a subject in a new light; any topic can be interesting if you look at it in just the right way.

That was the case for Krueger as a student at Harper College, where he began a journey of self-discovery that propelled him into a career making prosthetics and orthotics for hundreds of patients.

Krueger, a 2012 alumnus, has been selected for Harper’s first Outstanding Recent Alumni Award, which was created to honor graduates who are within 10 years of leaving the college.

“Harper is really where it all started,” said Krueger, who works as a prosthetist orthotist in the Chicago suburbs. “It essentially laid the groundwork for my study habits, and it’s also where I discovered my love of science.”

Krueger hasn’t truly left, though, often exercising on the college’s bike path and thinking about what classes he might want to take next, maybe in information technology.

“I admit I get an itch to go back and take another course,” said Krueger, who went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Aurora University and a master’s degree from Northwestern University. “I love learning.”

At work, Krueger uses 3D printing and other technologies to fit his patients for custom prosthetics and orthotics. He said it’s “absolutely amazing” to work with amputees and help them walk again. The work is especially rewarding because of the connection he forms as his patients come in to tune up or modify their devices.

“You become very much a part of their family,” Krueger said.

Beyond his work, Krueger volunteers with the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association, has presented on 3D printing at Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights, and writes articles to raise awareness about mental health issues that patients in his field may experience.

Krueger said he’s like a lot of Harper students in that he needed the college’s structure to help set him on his path.

“I was similar to a lot of students in that I felt I was not passionate about what I wanted to do or that I lacked passion,” Krueger said. “But any topic can be interesting if you look at it in just the right way, and sometimes it will reveal something about yourself that you never knew.”