Looking for a more interactive university tour at Kettering? Our Bulldog Preview Days are an excellent opportunity to learn more about our admissions process and Co-op program. You will have lunch at Battenburg Café with faculty, staff, and current students. During a portion of the lunch, there will be an optional student panel. Students will get hands-on experience in a lab, and parents will learn more about financing a college education. You will end the day with a guided tour of our campus.

Our Next Bulldog Preview Date is 2/17/2025. Register today.

Curious about what it's like to be a ������Ƶ student? Join us for Bulldog for a Day, where you'll spend time with current students, attend real college classes, and immerse yourself in the vibrant campus life that makes Kettering unique.

Join us for the program running from February 3 to March 14. Secure your spot today—space is limited and filling up fast.

A daily campus tours will include a walking university tour to explore campus with a current Kettering student and meet with an admissions counselor. These campus tours are held on weekdays and last about two hours.

A group visit will include an admissions presentation and a 45-minute walking tour of the campus led by a current student. The admissions presentation will offer general information about ������Ƶ, including campus life, admission requirements, and scholarship opportunities.

On December 12, ������Ƶ celebrated the outstanding achievements of its faculty and staff at the 2024 Celebration of Excellence. The event recognized individuals who exemplify the University’s core values of respect, integrity, creativity, collaboration, and excellence.

“Living our values isn’t evident in just one person or one department — it is in all of us,” said Dr. Robert K. McMahan, President of ������Ƶ. “Today, we celebrate and honor the collective contributions of our faculty and staff who work tirelessly — and without fanfare.” 

Charles F. Kettering III Bulldog Award

Named in honor of Charles F. Kettering III, grandson of the University’s founder, the Bulldog Award recognizes employees who go above and beyond in their roles. Recipients demonstrate tenacity, resilience, and a commitment to the University’s mission, embodying the determined spirit of Kettering’s bulldog mascot.

• Myra Lumpkin, Director of Student Life Student Affairs — Honored for her student-first approach and unwavering dedication to student well-being, fostering an environment where students feel supported and valued.
• Cheri Taylor, Welcome Center Associate Director — Celebrated for her meticulous attention to detail and passion for ensuring the success of recruitment and campus events, along with her steadfast support of University initiatives.
• Jeremy Sanders, University Events Planner — Recognized for his exceptional creativity and collaborative spirit, consistently exceeding expectations in his execution of events and enhancing the overall campus experience.

Research Awards

These awards honor groundbreaking research and innovation that enhance Kettering’s reputation as a leader in engineering, science, and applied research.

• Faculty Fellowships: Awarded to faculty members conducting innovative projects across diverse fields, including advanced manufacturing, AI, sustainable materials, and biomedical engineering. Recipients include Drs. Yufi Li, Javad Baqersad, Osama Aljarrah, Changxi Bai, Demet Usanmaz, and a collaborative team led by Drs. Asanga Manamperi and Sihe Zhang.
• Outstanding New Researcher Award: Dr. Seyed Jamaleddin Mostafavi Yazdi was honored for his pioneering work in mechanics of materials and scientific machine learning.
• Outstanding Researcher Award: Dr. Diane Peters was recognized for her sustained excellence in modeling and controls, reflecting years of dedicated inquiry and application.
• Outstanding Applied Researcher Award: Dr. Jungme Park was celebrated for impactful work in AI, autonomous driving, and intelligent systems, with results that directly benefit industry and society.
• Distinguished Researcher Award: Dr. Theresa Atkinson was commended for over a decade of contributions to biomedical engineering and injury prevention, advancing healthcare and safety.
• Rodes Professorship: Awarded to Dr. Michael Callahan for his profound research on chemical weapons and international policy, reflecting scholarly achievement and leadership.

True Kettering Staff Awards

The True Kettering Staff Awards honor individuals who live the University’s core values of respect, integrity, creativity, collaboration, and excellence. These employees consistently exceed expectations and inspire others.

• Michele Williams, Admissions Communication Plan Specialist — Recognized for her collaborative efforts and dedication to driving innovative projects, often overcoming challenges to achieve exceptional results.
• Heidi Arvin, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory Technician — Celebrated for her inclusive leadership, commitment to fostering a welcoming environment, and significant contributions to cross-disciplinary initiatives.
• Drew Kirtek, Natural Sciences Laboratory Manager — Honored for his reliability, creativity, and ability to inspire through research collaborations, educational outreach, and tireless support for University programs.

������Ƶ Online Instructor of the Year

The ������Ƶ Online Instructor of the Year Award celebrates educators who demonstrate excellence in virtual learning environments, going beyond to inspire and guide their students.

• Dr. Joy Gianakura-Allen was recognized for her impactful teaching and leadership, fostering personal connections with students, and offering valuable insights that shape future leaders.

Teaching Awards

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) acknowledges faculty members who excel in pedagogy, student engagement, and educational innovation:

• CETL Distinguished Faculty Service Award: Dr. Diane Peters, for her leadership in student success initiatives and active engagement with professional organizations.
• Outstanding Teaching Awards:
  • Mr. Alan Maestri — Commended for his enthusiasm, adaptability, and ability to inspire a love for mathematics among students.
  • Dr. Corneliu Rablau — Celebrated for his engaging teaching methods and innovative use of technology in physics education.
  • Dr. Mehrdad Zadeh — Honored for fostering intellectual curiosity and critical thinking in computer engineering.
• Terrell Teaching Innovation Grant: Dr. Torsten Maier, for exploring the use of AI to create dynamic and personalized learning experiences.

High Five Awards

Newly added in 2024, the High Five Awards recognize employees who exemplify exceptional teamwork, positive energy, and a commitment to fostering a collaborative campus culture. This year’s recipients, chosen for their outstanding contributions to the University’s recognition program, are:

• Joe Bellor, Senior Shipping/Receiving Clerk
• Leighton Chappell, University Events & Ceremonies Coordinator
• Dotti Gouine, Digital Marketing Manager
• Chris Nelson, Computer Science Administrative Specialist
• Jeremy Sanders, University Events & Ceremonies Planner 

Staff Recognition Awards

������Ƶ recognized the dedication of employees who have reached significant career milestones. Starting with the longest-serving members, honorees included:

• 40 years: Dr. Joe Salacuse.
• 35 years: Scott Cohoon and Irene Putnam.
• 30 years: Patricia Brown, Brady Fair, Dr. Leszek Gawarecki, Michelle Gebhardt, Dr. Jeffrey Hargrove, Kelly Holmquist, Gerald Kozlowski, and Dr. Lihua Wang.
• 25 years: Dr. Ezekiel Gebissa, Dr. Craig Hoff, Susan Lafeldt, and Dr. Arnaldo Mazzei Jr.
• 20 years: Erin Bolton, Kevin Isom, and Dr. Nozar Tabrizi.
• 15 years: Bonnie Switzer and Dr. Mehrdad Zadeh.
• 10 years: Pam Batra, Douglas Bourassa, Dr. Farnaz Ghazi Nezami, Dr. Ronald Tackett, and Dr. James Zhang.
• 5 years: Lauren Arant, Anjali Barnick, Lindsey Baxter, Melanie Bazil, Professor Kristy Brinker Brouwer, Courtney Cooney, Sharrie Creasey Thorpe, Harold Dumanois, Dr. Babak Elahi, Dr. David Foster, Scott Gray, Professor John Grether, Dr. Janie Jacobs, Scott Laforest, Matthew Mead, Craig Niswonger, S.E. Pavlica, Shaeanne Riedel, Laurie Schaibly, Kimberly Shumaker, and Eric Szczepanski.

Additionally, the University welcomed 31 new employees who began their careers at Kettering in the past year.

In closing, Dr. McMahan reiterated the importance of the work being done at the University: “Your collective work, your belief in our Kettering educational process, and your commitment to our students, alumni, and our community truly make a difference.” 

Not everyone has what it takes to tackle a challenge with this much impact. Kettering students do.

When Maggie Simons saw an opportunity to make Flint greener, she didn’t wait for someone else to step up. A hands-on leader and relentless problem solver, Simons inspired a team of Kettering volunteers to plant 230 trees in just two hours, partnering with the Flint River Watershed Coalition (FRWC) to enhance the environment around Potter Elementary School on the city’s northeast side.

This effort was more than a day of digging — it was part of a broader initiative to restore Flint’s natural ecosystems and improve water quality. These trees will help stabilize soil, filter rainwater, and prevent standing water where bacteria thrive. It’s a long-term solution made possible by student volunteers ready to lead.

Simons worked closely with FRWC to set the date, recruit volunteers, and coordinate logistics. Drawing support from Greek Life and international students, she brought together a team that reflected Kettering’s culture: collaborative, driven, and ready to work hard.

“I didn’t think we’d finish this fast,” volunteers marveled after completing the project in record time. The experience united students from across campus, demonstrating what Bulldogs are built to do: take on challenges, make a measurable impact, and look to what’s next.

Simons is already planning another initiative with her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, for spring 2025. Inspired by this event’s success, she aims to mobilize even more students to continue environmental restoration in Flint.

For more information about FRWC and how to get involved, visit. 

������Ƶ recently welcomed WJR-AM 760 to campus for the College Tour 2024. Broadcasting live from the Learning Commons Connector for its three-hour-long morning show, the WJR team, including Guy Gordon, Lloyd Jackson, and Jamie Edmonds, engaged with the Kettering community, bringing insightful conversations to the airwaves. The event showcased the University's innovative educational model, 50% rigorous academics paired with 50% paid professional Co-op experience, reinforcing its position as a leader in engineering education. 

Kettering alum Sam Hoff ’90 (ME), CEO of Patti Engineering, and his son, Sammy Hoff ’25 (ME), got the ball rolling in the 6 o’clock hour as they reflected on their Kettering experiences and how the University has evolved. “This is not the easiest school in the world,” Sam Hoff said. “It’s difficult. You’re going to have a compressed schedule. ... It really builds people.” The elder Hoff is now a part of that educational process himself. His company is an active participant in the Kettering Co-op program.

Meanwhile, Sammy Hoff shared that although his father attended before him, he is blazing his own trail. “My dad was part of a Greek Life organization, and I'm part of a different Greek Life organization,” Sammy said. “So even though he came here before me, I don’t feel any need to follow in his footsteps directly. I’m making my own path and my own way around the school.”

������Ƶ President Dr. Robert K. McMahan shared his insights during the 7 o’clock hour, highlighting the rigorous academics that attract students from across North America and beyond to the University. “The people who created this institution started from a different idea. They said, ‘You know, we're not just about teaching stuff. We're about teaching how to master and apply it — and apply it well.’ That's what they understood. Charles Kettering was very famous for saying, ‘If we taught musicians the way we teach engineers, we give them 12 years of music theory before we ever let them touch a piano.’ That's ridiculous on its face, and that’s actually how it’s done, but not at Kettering. These are hands-on and practical disciplines. So if you want to be an engineer, you need to not only learn the math and the statistics and all the things that go into engineering, but you also need to use it and to see it in application.” Dr. McMahan also shared details about upcoming events, including “Discover Kettering” and the “Bulldog for a Day” opportunities in November and December, when prospective students can visit campus, meet faculty and students, and experience a day-in-the-life at Kettering.

Current students Christian “Gordo” Lopez ’25 (IE), Ian Gibson ’26 (EE), and Katee Callicutt ’27 (ME) took to the microphone in the 8 o’clock hour to expand on their unique Co-op experiences. All three students emphasized how Kettering’s hands-on learning sets them apart from students at other institutions. “This experience is unlike anything you can get anywhere else,” Gibson said. “If you're really driven and you want to be an engineer, you want real-world experience. You want hands-on experience. Kettering is your place, hands down. There's no other place that offers what Kettering does.”

Lopez recounted his international Co-op experience in France with Phinia and described how the Kettering experience changes students. "I wouldn't say that you need to be more mature to come to Kettering,” Lopez said. “But I think Kettering makes you more mature because coming right out of high school, you're already working, and you're going right into the corporate office. You're learning how to send professional emails. You're learning how to give presentations and attend meetings. So you quickly get over that high school immaturity of being silly and goofy and seeing this is how real life really works.” Callicutt drove the point home, saying, “People who come here are very determined. They came here for a reason. They're on a track already, and they are going to make sure that they get where they want to go.”

Finally, Kettering’s Director of Co-op and Career Design, Enza Sleva, emphasized the University's partnerships with over 400 Co-op employers, explaining how these collaborations ensure that academic programs align with industry needs, giving Kettering students a significant advantage in the workforce. “The companies see this as an amazing investment because they get to nurture talent early in their college career. So, by the time they’re through college, they've acclimated to the company culture. They're bringing the technical knowledge that they've learned in the classroom right away back to industry, but at the same time, they are coming with those essential skills, those organizational skills, time management, and communication skills.”

To listen to the entire WJR-AM 760 College Tour 2024 stop at ������Ƶ,

������Ƶ’s African American Alumni Network members gathered Saturday, May 18, to celebrate the outstanding contributions of retired professor Dr. Petros “Pete” Gheresus and current faculty member Dr. K. Joel Berry.

Dr. Gheresus (also known affectionately as Professor Pete) is a native of Eritrea, East Africa. With an 8th-grade education, he emigrated to the United States, settling in Minnesota when he was 19. His determined spirit pushed him to earn a high school diploma and continue his journey into higher education - eventually earning a doctorate in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University.

Dr. Gheresus joined General Motors Institute (GMI), now ������Ƶ, in 1980. Over his tenure, he held several pivotal roles, including Director of the Industrial Engineering Program and the Director of the Computer Center. In 1984, he co-founded the Academically Interested Minds (AIM) program, which continues to provide high school students with a taste of the rigorous, hands-on Kettering experience by exposing them to college-level math, science, and business courses.

While Dr. Gheresus retired from Kettering in 2022 after more than 40 years of service, he continues to serve the University outside the classroom by promoting robotics education to Genesee County area teachers and students.

Rahel Medhanie ‘16, M’21 shared her thoughts on how Dr. Gheresus embodies the Kettering spirit, “Pete exemplifies what it means to be a great person, teacher, and engineer and continues to be a staple in fostering engineering and technology education in his local community, as well as in his home country.”

Dr. K. Joel Berry is a current ������Ƶ faculty member and an alumnus. Dr. Berry earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1979 from GMI. Since joining the faculty in 1987, he has inspired more than 4,000 young minds. Ella Reevers ‘80, counts Dr. Berry as a constant positive influence in her life, “He is focused on the prize and is very much like the mascot of our alma mater, the Bulldog,” she said. “Once he commits to a plan, he sees it through. Something he encourages others to do as well.”

Dr. Berry was the first person of color to join ������Ƶ’s Mechanical Engineering faculty and became the longest-serving Head of an Engineering Department in the history of the University. Dr. Berry is also the founder and Director of the Kettering Center for Fuel Cell Systems Integration. He lists his priorities as God, family, academics, and basketball -- in that order.

Ricky Brown, Director of Multicultural Student Affairs, said both Dr. Berry and Dr. Gheresus have made a huge impact on Kettering, “They have taught thousands of students in the fields of engineering and computer programming. Through their dedication and passion, they have educated and touched the lives of so many successful professionals worldwide. Drs. Berry and Gheresus have been a positive force for Kettering's students of color. They have gone over and beyond their call of duty to mentor the students. Kettering is one of the top-ranked universities in the country when it comes to retention for students of color in  engineering, and these two gentlemen are part of that legacy of success.” 

About ������Ƶ’s African American Alumni Network

The AAAN was founded in 2019 by 35 of Kettering’s African American alums who wanted to make a difference. The ������Ƶ African American Alumni Scholarship Endowment was born through donations from those original members. While providing financial assistance through scholarships is the mission of the Network, mentoring remains a top priority. The hope is that all who are touched by the African American Alumni Network and Scholarship Endowment will follow their mentors’ lead and continue the tradition of support.

Hundreds of future engineers, computer scientists, tech and business leaders gathered on ������Ƶ’s campus for two FIRST Robotics district competitions held in March.

This year, the Gene Haas Foundation generously sponsored the competitions, contributing $20,000 and affirming its commitment to advancing manufacturing education. The foundation supports these events to expand the pool of skilled workers by recruiting young people into manufacturing careers and creating advanced training programs.

During the events, representatives from Haas Automation, including James O’Brien and Dan Wilson from Gerotech, a Michigan-based Haas distributor, engaged with participants and spectators. They spoke at the opening ceremonies and manned an informational booth, sharing insights into the importance of manufacturing skills in today’s workforce.

“The world is teeming with exceptional companies who are in need of your technical and relational skills that are being developed at FIRST. We support FIRST because we believe in you,” Manufacturing Manager at Haas Automation. “The skills [students] are learning in FIRST Robotics teams are relevant, practical and in demand. All these skills translate directly into the real world.”

The FIRST robotics program is unique in that many teams fabricate parts using mills, lathes, TIG welding and other machine shop equipment in addition to learning to use CAD, CNC machines and 3D printers. ������Ƶ and our co-op employment partners seek students with these skills and place high value on the experience they gain while participating in FIRST robotics.

This year’s game is called “CRESCENDO.”

In CRESCENDO, teams compete to score notes and amplify their speakers, aiming to harmonize their robots onstage and take the spotlight within a time limit. In the first 15 seconds of the match, robots operate autonomously. Drivers control the robots during the remaining two minutes and 15 seconds. Teams earn bonus points when they meet scoring thresholds and cooperate with opponents.

������Ƶ is a longtime supporter of FIRST Robotics. The University became the first site in the country to host back-to-back district tournaments in 2016 and has continued that tradition since. Kettering was also one of the first universities in the country to award FIRST Robotics scholarships, providing more than $4 million in scholarships to FIRST participants since 1999. 

This is the 24th year Kettering has hosted a FIRST competition on its campus, and the Robotics Community Center is in its tenth year on campus. 

������Ƶ will host hundreds of high school students and their families the last weekend in February 2024 for the Consumers Energy and ������Ƶ Michigan VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) High School State Championship.

Teams start setting up Friday, Feb. 23, in the Connie and Jim John Recreation Center at ������Ƶ. The competition begins with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, and concludes with an awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. 

“������Ƶ is proud to host and sponsor this event,” said Kim Shumaker, Robotics Center and Robotics Outreach Director. “These students are outpacing their peers as a result of their involvement with the VEX robotics program. They have already developed problem-solving, critical-thinking, strategy and engineering skills as a pre-college student. We’re thrilled for Kettering to play a part in championing these students to pursue their passion for robotics.”

This is the third year ������Ƶ has hosted the VEX State Championship and its second in collaboration with Consumers Energy as the title sponsor.

“Consumers Energy is thrilled to join ������Ƶ to promote and support robotics teams from across Michigan this weekend,” said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy’s Vice President of Electric Distribution Engineering. “The VEX championship is important because it extends a pathway to STEM learning that’s exciting and compelling, charging up bright futures for so many students who will go on to power our company and all of Michigan.”

Nearly 400 students from 80 teams will participate in this year’s competition, called Over Under.

In Over Under, the field has 60 triballs, two goals and two sets of elevation bars with a barrier. Triballs score points in goals (5 points) or offensive zones (2 points). Robots move freely, and triballs can only be taken from opponent goals when both alliance robots are on the same side of the barrier ("double zoned.")

Robots aim to climb for points, with the highest climber earning 20 points and points stairstepping down to 15, 10 and 5 points for second, third and fourth place, respectively. Alliances scoring the most in the autonomous period gain an extra 8 points and can earn an Autonomous Win Point through specific actions. The alliance with the most points wins.

The top 20 to 30 teams will advance to the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas.

Kettering organizes VEX competitions in partnership with the non-profit Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation, an educational foundation with a mission to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

“This season's game challenge rewards the teams that best collaborate with their partners during a match,” said Dan Mantz, a 1991 Kettering alumnus and Chief Executive Officer of the REC Foundation. “The REC Foundation works to prepare our students for the workforce by not only teaching technical skills such as engineering, design and coding but also emphasizing communication, critical thinking and teamwork skills.” 

������Ƶ has hosted VEX camps and workshops since 2015 and boasts its own VEX U team that debuted in the World Championship in 2023. Scholarships are available for students who are active competitors or mentors of VEX or other competitive robotics organizations. Students can earn up to $5,000 yearly (up to $25,000 over five years) in renewable scholarships.

“The REC Foundation values our partnership with ������Ƶ since our missions are perfectly aligned to prepare our students to be leaders in technology and business development,” Mantz said. “When students in our programs visit ������Ƶ, they experience the innovative and leading-edge campus learning centers and labs firsthand and understand that the Kettering programs will build on what they have learned through the VEX Robotics competition. We want these students to know that Kettering will help prepare them for the next phase of their education and career.”

On January 22, 2024 Representative Phil Green visited ������Ƶ to acknowledge the institution's contributions to higher education and small businesses in the local community.

"It is an absolute privilege to have ������Ƶ supporting small businesses and higher education in the community," he said. "Not only do they support our businesses, but they also play a crucial role in keeping our communities running smoothly."

Rep. Green also applauded ������Ƶ's commitment to collaboration and hands-on experiences, citing it as a model for fostering innovation in both education and business sectors.

Acting as Representative Green’s campus tour guide was Janis Mueller, Regional Director of the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) located on Kettering’s campus.

“One of the benefits of the SBDC at Kettering is directly connected to our students’ entrepreneurial spirit,” she explained. “At any given time, we’re working with students on funding their business ideas, helping them take an idea from business plan to operational, and often through acquisition by larger organizations. The same holds true for our clients in the Flint and surrounding community.”

As a former small business owner, Mueller knows that assisting small businesses is key to sustaining our communities.

“There are countless success stories of students, alumni, and community members building their businesses and thriving. We're honored to play a role in supporting the evolution of their business ideas,” she said. “Representative Green's visit to ������Ƶ underscores the vital role educational institutions play in shaping local economies and ensuring the success of small businesses.”