Campus

Back to the Future: Celebrating 30 Years of the GM EV1 at Kettering

lmadaus — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:45:44 +0000

Back to the Future: Celebrating 30 Years of the GM EV1 at Kettering

lmadaus Thu, 09/24/2026 - 08:45

On Sept. 17, engineers, program leaders and colleagues from GM’s EV1 team filled the garage at ��Ķ��vlog’s GM Mobility Research Center for a reunion marking 30 years since the revolutionary electric vehicle’s launch.

Many arrived wearing clothing from GM’s early EV programs: teal Electric Vehicle Division polos, “Precept” denim button-downs and vibrant “Impact” T-shirts. They were literally wearing their history on their sleeves.

“Most anniversaries celebrate something we can no longer touch,” ��Ķ��vlog President Dr. Robert K. McMahan told the group, gesturing toward the University’s EV1. “But this one is parked right over there.”

The EV1 grew out of years of experimental work inside General Motors. In 1987, GM developed Sunraycer, the solar-powered vehicle that crossed Australia to win the inaugural World Solar Challenge. Lessons from that program helped lead to Impact, the electric concept GM unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 1990. Bob Purcell, a leader on the EV1 program, recalled how the Impact demonstrated what was possible.

“The truth of the matter is, it was a concept car,” Purcell said. “There were a lot of parts in there you could never make in continuous production. There was a lot of inventiveness, a lot of creative stuff, but it worked.”

The challenge for the EV1 team was to turn that working concept into a production vehicle. For Purcell, the engineering required to make that leap remains one of the program’s defining accomplishments.

“The engineering in the EV1 was absolutely a tour de force,” he said. “It was the first of its kind, way ahead of the rest of the industry.”

Some of the ideas first explored through those programs were on display and in motion at the reunion. Cadillac of Novi supported the ride-and-drive portion of the event, giving attendees the opportunity to take several vehicles onto Kettering’s proving ground test track. GM Cadillac arranged the static display featuring the CELESTIQ, LYRIQ, OPTIQ and ESCALADE IQ.

Kristian Aquilina, vice president of Global Cadillac, said the questions raised by EV1 still resonate in the way automakers think about new technology and the vehicles built around it.

“What’s really cool about EV1 is that it still asks a question we’re answering to this very day,” he said. “What if you were to build a luxury vehicle around a new technology? How would that inform the overall definition of that product, the design of that product, the experience and the customer interaction?”

The gathering also underscored that the EV1’s legacy was not confined to technology. Event committee lead Linda Ludek Brouns, who worked on EV1 propulsion systems during her career at GM, reflected on what the program had meant to her.

“I’ve had some fantastic experiences at General Motors, but my favorite job in more than 30 years at GM was being a propulsion systems engineer for the EV1,” Brouns said.

Purcell’s memories were equally personal. The relationships formed while developing the car, he said, extended well beyond the work itself.

“We were family. We really were,” he said. “It was more than just making a car. It was making history.”

Part of that history eventually found a home at Kettering.

In 2001, GM’s Advanced Technology Vehicles organization identified the University as a potential recipient of a first-generation EV1 for educational purposes. In its original correspondence, GM expressed its desire to see the vehicles “utilized by the next generation of engineering and science students and researchers.” The University later loaned its EV1 to the Sloan Museum to support public understanding of electric vehicle technology before the car returned to campus.

That educational purpose remains part of the EV1’s role at Kettering. President McMahan challenged students at the reunion to learn not only what the team accomplished, but how its members responded when the work did not go as planned.

“Find one of these engineers and ask them what went wrong and what they did about it the next morning,” he said. “That is the part of engineering that no textbook fully captures. And the people who can teach it to you are here today.”

Returning once more to the car beside them, McMahan summed up the distinction between preserving an engineering achievement and preserving what can still be learned from the people who created it.

“What you built is parked right here,” he told them. “But how you built it never retired.”

New Student Orientation: Advising & Pre-Registration (B-Section)

eoboyle — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:13:33 +0000

New Student Orientation: Advising & Pre-Registration (B-Section)

Campus

Campus Events

eoboyle Fri, 04/17/2026 - 17:13

2026-08-31T08:30:00-0400 _2026-08-31T17:00:00-0400

Complete academic advising, plan your first-term schedule, review credits, accommodations, and understand expectations for both academics and Co-op. Take your student ID photo and apply for parking passes, too.

We invite parents and supporters to attend Advising & Pre-Registration sessions dedicated to how to support your student’s transition to college, next steps, campus resources, and contacts your student should make with departments and student services.

This event is intended for students in B-Section only.

More Information

Advising & Pre-Registration (Required)

New Student Orientation: Advising & Pre-Registration (A-Section)

eoboyle — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:03:01 +0000

New Student Orientation: Advising & Pre-Registration (A-Section)

Campus

Campus Events

eoboyle Fri, 04/17/2026 - 15:03

2026-06-05T08:30:00-0400 _2026-06-05T17:00:00-0400

��Ķ��vlogUnivesity

This event is intended for students in A-Section only.

More Information

Advising & Pre-Registration (Required)

��Ķ��vlog Formalizes Student Experience Ambassadors Initiative to Strengthen Coordinated Campus Support

lmadaus — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:51:17 +0000

��Ķ��vlog Formalizes Student Experience Ambassadors Initiative to Strengthen Coordinated Campus Support

Campus

lmadaus Tue, 03/10/2026 - 07:51

Supporting student success requires more than strong academics. It requires clear, visible, and connected support across campus.

To reinforce that coordinated approach, ��Ķ��vlog has formally established a Student Experience (SX) Ambassadors initiative designed to embed student-centered support throughout the institution.

The initiative designates faculty and staff members across key functional areas to serve as visible points of connection between students and the Student Experience team. By creating a network of informed connectors across campus, the model strengthens communication, enhances responsiveness, and promotes earlier awareness when concerns arise.

Mike Schaal, Associate Dean of Student Engagement and Success, is leading the initiative.

“The Ambassador initiative helps us strengthen our support network across campus,” Schaal said. “Ambassadors serve as both a resource for students and a communication link for the Student Experience team, helping us identify concerns early and connect students to appropriate services.”

The initiative includes Ambassadors from across the University. Among those currently serving are Shari Luck, Erik Daly, Judi Langolf, Mohammad Torfeh, Torsten Maier, Venetia Petteway, Yvonne Wagner, Alyce Petty, Benjamin Stratton, Dotti Gouine, Sharrie Creasey Thorpe, and Shannon Loesel Thorpe, representing a range of academic and administrative areas.

A Networked Approach to Student Support

Kettering’s Student Experience mission centers on preparing students for lives of leadership and service through a rigorous, immersive academic model. The Ambassadors initiative reinforces that mission by ensuring that support is not confined to a single office but integrated throughout the University.

Rather than centralizing responsibility, designated contacts are embedded across campus to observe, communicate, and connect students with appropriate resources. Ambassadors listen to questions, concerns, and ideas from members of the student community and help connect individuals to academic support, student organizations, campus activities, and other services as needed.

The charge of the initiative is twofold: to serve as a support network for the Student Experience team by observing possible students at risk, and to serve as a resource for all students. Together, the cohort operates as a coordinated system for retention, support, and communication.

Structure with Purpose

The Ambassador position is a one-year appointment with the possibility of reappointment. To build and maintain a strong network, the cohort meets quarterly with the Associate Dean of Student Engagement and Success. An orientation at the start of the academic year includes action planning, introductions, and guidance for the year ahead.

Strengthening the ��Ķ��vlogExperience

Ambassadors represent a cross-section of departments and functional units across campus. Their involvement expands the University’s capacity to maintain a supportive environment where students can access resources, raise concerns, and remain focused on their academic and professional goals.

The Student Experience Ambassadors initiative reflects Kettering’s ongoing commitment to fostering a coordinated and supportive culture for all students.

Building Momentum: Kettering’s 2025 VEX Series Strengthens Michigan’s Robotics Pipeline

lmadaus — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:47:30 +0000

Building Momentum: Kettering’s 2025 VEX Series Strengthens Michigan’s Robotics Pipeline

lmadaus Thu, 12/04/2025 - 09:47

Over four weekends in November, hundreds of middle- and high-school competitors stepped into ��Ķ��vlog’s Robotics Community Center ready to put months of refining designs, pushing code, and thinking like engineers to the test.

The 2025 VEX Robotics Tournament Series showcases Michigan’s brightest young innovators while reinforcing Kettering’s continued commitment to building the state’s next generation of STEM leaders.

While the series highlights student achievement, it also reflects ��Ķ��vlog’s sustained investment in Michigan’s robotics ecosystem. Since 2015, ��Ķ��vloghas hosted VEX camps, workshops, and the Michigan VEX State Championship, helping young engineers connect with university labs and mentors.

The Game: Push Back

This year’s competition featured VEX V5 Robotics Push Back, a fast-paced game played on a 12x12-foot field. Teams of two robots work together to score points by moving and controlling blocks, completing tasks during a brief autonomous period, and navigating complex challenges under time pressure.

Push Back isn’t just about building a robot. It’s a test of creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, and focus. With a detailed rulebook guiding strategy and fair play, every match challenges students to think like engineers, adapt to changing conditions, and compete with both precision and imagination.

“The rule book, which is over 100 pages, is frequently updated and contains a level of complexity that mimics the conditions of a workplace,” said Kim Shumaker, the Director of Robotics Outreach & Robotics Center at Kettering. “Students are responsible for following all rules, just as employees are required to follow company and government policies. The experience prepares students to confidently enter and succeed in a STEM-focused workforce.”

The VEX Robotics Competition is overseen globally by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF), which engages with nearly half a million students annually across more than 3,600 events. The foundation’s focus, to provide competition, education, and workforce-readiness programs, complements ��Ķ��vlog’s long-standing support of Michigan’s robotics and STEM talent pipeline. The organization is led by CEO and ��Ķ��vlogalumnus Dan Mantz, who has helped expand robotics education worldwide.

Hosting a series of tournaments enables teams to test their design and strategy and learn from rivals, directly fueling the iteration phase of the engineering process:

Costume Clash (Nov. 1) kicked off the series with creativity and confidence-building, letting students test early designs while having fun.
Fall Frenzy (Nov. 8) served as an iterative checkpoint, allowing teams to refine their performance and receive guidance from experienced mentors.
Bulldog Bash (Nov. 15) introduced full judging and digital engineering notebooks, encouraging students to document and defend their design decisions.
Gears & Gratitude (Nov. 22) closed the series with multiple State Championship-qualified teams competing, raising the level of competition and celebrating teamwork and community.

Together, the four events formed a developmental arc, helping students progress from initial concepts to competition-ready designs.

Push Back Tournament Awards

Costume Clash (Nov. 1)
- Tournament Champions:
  - 39R Serenity, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
  - 39H HNS, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Robot Skills Champion: 39R Serenity, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Fall Frenzy (Nov. 8)
- Tournament Champions:
  - 39W W, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
  - 16610G Good Gravy, Techblazers, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
- Robot Skills Champion: 16610X Cooking Goose, Techblazers, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
Bulldog Bash (Nov. 15)
- Tournament Champions:
  - 7760X Airplane Mode, Seed Seek Robotics, Bloomfield Hills, MI
  - 39Y Yolt, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Robot Skills Champion: 7760X Airplane Mode, Seed Seek Robotics, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Excellence Award: 7760X Airplane Mode, Seed Seek Robotics, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Design Award: 39Y Yolt, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Innovate Award: 4911X SayHelloToMyLittleFriend, Robo-Tech Zone of Michiana, Dowagiac, MI
- Judges Award: 39B Daily Silksong News, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Gears & Gratitude (Nov. 22)
- Tournament Champions:
  - 1829A Phantom, Independent, Troy, MI
  - 7760X Airplane Mode, Seed Seek Robotics, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Robot Skills Champion: 40684D Griffilicious, Napoleon High School, Napoleon, MI
- Excellence Award (High School): 39R Serenity, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Excellence Award (Middle School): 1829A Phantom, Independent, Troy, MI
- Design Award: 39Y Yolt, Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Innovate Award: 7760X Airplane Mode, Seed Seek Robotics, Bloomfield Hills, MI
- Judges Award: 1997B Rolling With Porpoise, Chatfield School, Lapeer, Michigan

Looking Ahead

From the playful creativity of Costume Clash to the mastery on display at Gears & Gratitude, the 2025 VEX Series reinforced Kettering’s position as a major sponsor, mentor, and host in Michigan’s robotics community. ��Ķ��vlog looks forward to hosting the 2026 Michigan VEX State Championship, February 27-28, 2026, sponsored by Consumers Energy.

Transfer Preview Day

eoboyle — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 15:00:21 +0000

Transfer Preview Day

Campus

eoboyle Mon, 10/06/2025 - 11:00

2025-10-24T10:15:00-0400 _2025-10-24T13:15:00-0400

��Ķ��vlog, 1700 University Ave., Flint, MI 48504

Celebrate National Transfer Week by exploring your future at ��Ķ��vlog!

Join us for Transfer Preview Day and discover how Kettering’s unique blend of rigorous academics and paid Co-op experiences can be your proving ground for success.

Hear firsthand from current students who have successfully transferred to ��Ķ��vlogand are now advancing their skills through hands-on learning, innovation, and real-world experience.

Whether you're just starting to explore your options or ready to take the next step, this event is designed to help you navigate the transfer process and envision your future at Kettering.

Transfer Preview Day

��Ķ��vlog Archives Fuel Automotive History Research

rnorris — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 13:43:30 +0000

��Ķ��vlog Archives Fuel Automotive History Research

Campus

Grants

Research

rnorris Thu, 06/26/2025 - 09:43

��Ķ��vlog’s Archives, housed at GM’s historic Durant-Dort Factory One, recently hosted Dr. Jennifer Eaglin, an automotive historian whose research challenges traditional narratives surrounding transportation in the Americas.

Dr. Eaglin, Associate Professor of History at The Ohio State University and the inaugural recipient of the Society of Automotive Historians Travel-to-Collections Grant, completed her research visit this spring. Her project, Auto Americas: A Hemispheric History of the Automobile, explores the powerful role cars, buses, and trucks have played in shaping communities, economies, and identities across North, South, and Central America.

“Sometimes the best discoveries come when you’re not looking for them,” Dr. Eaglin said during her presentation after concluding her research. “I came to Flint with a plan, but what I found at Kettering’s Archives expanded my project in ways I couldn’t have imagined. This is research that matters — and the team here made it possible.”

Dr. Eaglin’s research leveraged key collections, including GM World, Auto International, and materials from automotive emissions experts, to examine how transportation infrastructure and environmental factors converge in ways that still shape lives today.

“Kettering’s Archives are more than a collection of documents,” said Dawn Winans, Interim Director of the Library Special Collections. “They’re proof of engaged research and innovative ideas, just like our students and faculty. By opening our archives to scholars like Dr. Eaglin, we’re reinforcing our role as a catalyst for groundbreaking research that drives the field forward.”

Located in Factory One, a National Historic Landmark recognized as the birthplace of General Motors, Kettering’s Archives house extensive resources on automotive innovation, industry history, and the evolution of transportation. These collections give researchers firsthand access to materials that haven’t been digitized, providing a critical bridge between history and innovation.

“Auto history is more than cars,” Dr. Eaglin noted. “It’s about how people live, how they move, and how they build communities. Kettering’s Archives make that story come alive.”

As ��Ķ��vlogcontinues to champion hands-on research and real-world impact, opening its Archives to scholars from around the world is yet another way the University supports connections that drive innovation into the future.

Learn more about ��Ķ��vlog’s Archives and research opportunities at https://libguides.kettering.edu/library.

��Ķ��vlog to Celebrate Class of 2025 at its Historic Atwood Stadium

rnorris — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 18:56:27 +0000

��Ķ��vlog to Celebrate Class of 2025 at its Historic Atwood Stadium

Campus

Campus Events

Commencement

rnorris Thu, 06/19/2025 - 14:56

More than 40 Students to Earn the University’s Highest Academic Honors

On June 21, ��Ķ��vlog will honor more than 340 undergraduates and 150 graduate students at its 2025 Commencement Ceremony. This milestone event marks not just the culmination of rigorous academic achievement but the beginning of bold career journeys.

Founded in 1919 as a night school for automotive engineers, ��Ķ��vlog has since become a global leader in STEM education. Through its rigorous academics and hands-on research, as well as its pioneering cooperative educational model, ��Ķ��vloggraduates are prepared to tackle the biggest challenges and shape the future.

The Class of 2025 arrived at ��Ķ��vlogduring a time of rapid technological shifts and went to work, building solutions, leading innovation, and driving progress across industries. Each graduate has completed not only a rigorous academic program but also over 2.5 years of immersive Co-op experience, earning while they learn and transforming their knowledge into applied leadership. As the Class of 2025 takes its place at the forefront of tomorrow’s industries, they carry with them not just a degree, but the confidence, ingenuity, and purpose that define a ��Ķ��vlogeducation.

The Celebration of the Class of 2025 will begin the night before Commencement with the Academic Honors Banquet on June 20. The invitation-only event recognizes several outstanding groups of graduates, including:

Notable Student Accomplishments and Honors

President’s Medalists: Students who have demonstrated excellence in cooperative employment, scholarship, and community engagement.

Dakota-Duyen Thi Avallone, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Milford, MI
Joli Sage Forgach, B.S. Biochemistry, Fenton, MI
Alyssa L. Hagan, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Highland, MI
Lance Isaac Krueger Lipasek, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Washington, MI
Dylan Hoang Pham, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Lansing, MI
Varun Rallabandi, B.S. Computer Science, Troy, MI
Maggie Elizabeth Simons, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Clinton Twp, MI
Amanda Rose Smith, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Beverly Hills, MI

Sobey Scholars: Students who have been inducted into an academic honor society and Kettering’s Robot Society.

Stephen Josiah Alexander, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, La Porte, TX
Martin Ortega Cordoba, B.S. Computer Science, Clarkston, MI
Tanisha Isabella Francis, B.S. Computer Engineering, Flint, MI
Jaydin Tremayne Freeman, B.S. Computer Science, Auburn Hills, MI
Colin Leonard Mazzola, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Northville, MI
Katelyn Marie Petersdorf, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Shelby Township, MI
Isabella Catherine Weingartz, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Chesterfield, MI

Summa Cum Laude Awardees: Students who earned a grade point average of 3.90 or higher.

Inti H. Aguilar Ornelas, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Flint, MI
Syed Mustafa Ahmed, B.S. Computer Engineering, Rochester Hills, MI
Dakota-Duyen Thi Avallone, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Milford, MI
Maxwell Cameron Battist, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Williamston, MI
Wyatt Matthew Bloch, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Burlington, MI
Nathan Edward Diaz Cahilig, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Warren, MI
Joseph Jerome Calamia, B.S. Electrical Engineering, St. Clair Shores, MI
Connor James Carene, B.S. Computer Science, Gaylord, MI
Noah Francis Cole, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Sterling Heights, MI
Logan Joseph Deniston, B.S. Computer Science, Portage, MI
Jonathan Henry Eby, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Ida, MI
Cash Daniel Ericson, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Jonathan Andrew Gooch, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Sturgis, MI
Chad Gary Goodwine, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Shelby Township, MI
Alyssa L. Hagan, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Highland, MI
Nicholas Jeffrey Hong, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Marysville, MI
Dean Francis Kalebjian, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Columbus, MI
Daniel Walter Harrison Kamp, B.S. Computer Engineering, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Amanda Marie Koziol, B.S. Computer Science, Shelby Township, MI
Jack W. Krugh, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Chelsea, MI
Rayaansh Kumar, B.S. Computer Engineering, Flint, MI
Nicholas Michael Lipcsik, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Plymouth, MI
Matthew Joseph McMahon, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Lake Orion, MI
Adam Robert Meyer, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Warren, MI
Jacob A. Morrison, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Oxford, MI
Rebekah Marie Mosier, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Clayton, IN
Ehren Pierce Mroczek, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Mishawaka, IN
Phu Anh Nguyen, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Warren, MI
Valentino Pecaj, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Fenton, MI
Dylan Hoang Pham, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Lansing, MI
Varun Rallabandi, B.S. Computer Science, Troy, MI
Noah James Ray, B.S. Computer Science, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Portage, MI
Thomas Mark Schneider, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Oil City, PA
Alexander J. Shores, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Lapeer, MI
Amanda Rose Smith, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Beverly Hills, MI
Christa G. Spencer, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Ortonville, MI
Ian David Spitael, B.S. Engineering, Saline, MI
Ryan Michael Stiles, B.S Mechanical Engineering, Gladwin, MI
Brendan Scott Sting, B.S. Computer Science, Grand Blanc, MI
Frank Vincent Tilli III, B.S. Computer Science, Clarkston, MI
Andrew Paul Tower, B.S. Chemical Engineering, East Lansing, MI
Vinh-Han Truong, B.S. Computer Science, Novi, MI
Matthew James Vanderhoff, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Sterling Heights, MI

Maggie Elizabeth Simons, Outstanding Thesis Award Winner

B.S. Chemical Engineering, Clinton Twp, Michigan

Simons is a President’s Medalist graduating Magna Cum Laude. She earned the Outstanding Thesis Award for her work, “Improving Drafting Efficiency for Patent Applications Using Generative Artificial Intelligence,” completed in collaboration with Howard and Howard Attorneys, PLLC, under Dr. Susan Farhat’s supervision. Her research explored how large language models can streamline patent application drafting, reducing time and accelerating the patent acquisition process — a critical advancement for the field of intellectual property. Simons is also a member of the Honors Program, sorority Alpha Gamma Delta, and the National Order of Omega. Upon graduation, she plans to attend Wayne State University Law School on a full-ride merit scholarship with the goal of one day practicing patent law and intellectual property law.

Maximilian J. Vanovermeer-Santamaria, Dual Degree Recipient

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, M.B.A., St. Clair Shores, Michigan

During his Co-op experiences at American Axle & Manufacturing and BAE Systems, Vanovermeer-Santamaria contributed to 3D modeling, efficiency improvements, tooling design, vehicle retrofits, and root cause analysis, demonstrating his commitment to real-world solutions. On campus, he was President of the Target Club, Treasurer of the Trap and Skeet Club, a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, the Order of the Engineer, and Gamma Sigma Alpha, the national Greek Honor Society. He has accepted a position as a rotational mechanical engineer at Williams International after graduation.

Kenteya Aavree Stubbs, Student Commencement Speaker

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Freeport, The Bahamas

Graduating Magna Cum Laude, Stubbs is a member of the Robot Honor Society, Pi Tau Sigma, the international honor society for mechanical engineers, and the National Society of Black Engineers. She distinguished herself during her Co-op at Lear Corporation, where she developed grounding system topologies for a new vehicle electrical distribution system and led a Materials Cost Excellence initiative. On campus, Stubbs served as President of the International Club and Vice President of M.A.G.I.C., and a counselor for the Academically Interested Minds summer program. She has accepted an offer to work as a product engineer in the wiring department at Lear Corporation after graduation.

The ceremony’s commencement address will be delivered by ��Ķ��vlogalumna Sherry House ’94, Chief Financial Officer at Ford Motor Company. Over her career, House has held influential roles across the mobility industry, from leading finance and operations at autonomous vehicle pioneer Waymo to steering Lucid Motors through its public debut and the launch of luxury electric vehicles. At Ford, House oversees all finance functions, including Accounting, Financial Planning and Analysis, Treasury, Tax, Investor Relations, Economics, and Audit, as well as the Ford Credit business. House’s career, from early Co-op rotations to executive leadership at the forefront of the mobility sector, exemplifies the rigor, purpose, and impact that define a ��Ķ��vlogeducation. In recognition of her distinguished contributions to the global automotive industry, the University will confer upon her the honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration.

The University will also honor Frank Perna, Jr. ‘60, the retired CEO of MSC Software, with the honorary Doctor of Engineering degree. Perna holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from ��Ķ��vlog. Perna spent over 50 years as a registered Professional Engineer working at a number of industry leaders, including General Motors, Sun Electric, and Bell & Howell, among others. He now serves as Director of The Valentine Foundation, which funds critical educational and conservational activities.

University President Dr. Robert K. McMahan Shares How ��Ķ��vlogis Building the Next Generation of Innovators During the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference

rnorris — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:07:17 +0000

University President Dr. Robert K. McMahan Shares How ��Ķ��vlogis Building the Next Generation of Innovators During the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference

rnorris Thu, 06/19/2025 - 10:07

��Ķ��vlog President Dr. Robert K. McMahan joined Glenn Stevens Jr. of MichAuto during Detroit PBS’s coverage of the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference, hosted by award-winning journalist Zoe Clark on “One Detroit.” Their discussion centered on the future of automotive engineering, talent development, and Michigan’s evolving workforce.

Dr. McMahan emphasized the importance of thinking ahead: “We’re actually preparing students for careers that don’t even exist yet because the industry is evolving so quickly,” he said. Kettering’s distinctive Co-op model — where students split their time between rigorous academics and real-world work placements — equips them with the adaptability and habits of mind needed to thrive in tomorrow’s industries.

Glenn Stevens highlighted that while Michigan has “pockets of excellence” in aligning workforce and talent, “we need to do a better job with career path planning.” Dr. McMahan underscored the need to treat talent like a supply chain, noting that, “A lot of the people in this conference, they know their supply chains… they know where every nut and bolt is, what truck it’s on, and when it will land. But if you ask them what the most critical part of their operation is, they will almost universally say it’s people, but it’s the one thing they don’t treat as a supply chain.”

Stevens agreed, adding that Michigan is at an inflection point. “Assuming we do that, treating talent development like a supply chain, investing in communities where people want to live, building strong infrastructure, including digital and schools, and generating new innovation and tech talent like ��Ķ��vlogdoes, that’s Michigan’s future.”

Click here to watch the full interview to learn how ��Ķ��vlog leads the way in building the next generation of Michigan’s innovators.

Dr. Ronald Tackett Appointed Founding Head of ��Ķ��vlog’s New School of Foundational Studies

rnorris — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 14:21:13 +0000

Dr. Ronald Tackett Appointed Founding Head of ��Ķ��vlog’s New School of Foundational Studies

Campus

Faculty & Staff

President

rnorris Tue, 06/17/2025 - 10:21

��Ķ��vlog today announced the appointment of Dr. Ronald J. Tackett as the Founding Head of its new School of Foundational Studies, effective June 23, 2025. The new academic unit, launched as part of a comprehensive academic realignment, will serve as a hub for faculty innovation across disciplines, allowing for collaboration on a more cohesive, human-centered approach to foundational learning, one that integrates academic knowledge with professional development from the start.

"The creation of the School of Foundational Studies represents a deliberate and forward-looking transformation in the academic architecture of ��Ķ��vlog,” said University President Dr. Robert K. McMahan. “Dr. Tackett brings not only scholarly distinction but also a compelling vision for how integrated learning in the sciences, mathematics, and liberal arts prepares our students to lead in a world defined by complexity and rapid change. Under his leadership, this School will cultivate the intellectual discipline, ethical reasoning, and critical inquiry that define true leadership in every field."

Dr. Tackett, associate professor of physics, joined Kettering’s faculty in 2014. He brings more than two decades of experience teaching foundational and advanced courses in physics. His research focuses on magnetic nanoparticles, and antiferromagnetic materials with applications in the next generation of non-volatile magnetic data storage and fast-switching electronic devices. In addition to his academic scholarship, he has served in key leadership roles, including as Kettering’s outgoing Faculty Senate Moderator and as Chair of the Eastern Great Lakes Section of the American Physical Society.

“I want this School to be the cornerstone of Kettering’s educational mission,” Dr. Tackett said. “We’re laying the groundwork for innovation and impact, and that starts by rethinking how students engage with math, science, and the liberal arts, not in silos, but as connected disciplines.”

The School of Foundational Studies will also oversee the creation of a University-wide Core Curriculum, designed to be a common gateway for students into the University’s rigorous academic programs. Dr. Tackett's vision includes increasing collaboration across disciplines and building cross-functional courses that reflect the complexity of real-world problem solving.

“Our students are preparing to lead in industries where technical knowledge is essential, but so is ethical reasoning, communication, and critical thinking,” Dr. Tackett said. “This new structure gives us the opportunity to deliver that education in a more interconnected, intentional way. I’m excited to collaborate with students and faculty to rethink how foundational learning happens.”

Dr. Tackett earned his B.S. in Engineering Physics from Eastern Michigan University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics from Wayne State University. Before joining Kettering, he served as an assistant professor at Arkansas Tech University and held a postdoctoral research position at the University of Texas at El Paso.

School of Foundational Studies

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