蜜桃视频 students are known for striving for excellence in everything they do. Since its founding, 蜜桃视频 has continually brought STEM-focused learning to life. Through a 50/50 blend of rigorous academics and paid Co-op employment, all our graduates begin their careers with 2.5 years of real-world industry experience, giving them a tremendous advantage over their peers from other universities. This year, the Honors Banquet recognized the efforts of more than three dozen 2024 graduates who exceeded even those high expectations during their Kettering careers. The invitation-only event recognized these top graduates in several award categories.

In 1919, Major Albert Sobey launched the Co-operative education program that would eventually become 蜜桃视频. Sobey also was the school鈥檚 first president until his retirement in 1950. The University established the Sobey Scholar Awards in 1961 to honor exemplary students who have demonstrated the highest levels of scholarship and leadership at 蜜桃视频. Honorees must be a member of the Robot Society, the University鈥檚 most distinguished honor society, as well as a member of another academic honor society or have achieved cum laude status.

Seven Kettering graduates met the demanding criteria to become Sobey Scholars in 2024. They are: 

• Alexandra Ann Bahm, B.S. Management, Clinton Township, MI
• Kimberly Linnette Betty, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Flint, MI
• Emma Catherine Bishoff, B.S. Management, Burton, MI
• Leah Michelle Garczynski, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Plymouth, MI
• Kristen Jean Gury, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Canton, MI
• Thomas Weldon Sprecher III, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Electrical Engineering, Marietta, GA
• Felipe Antonio Villalobos, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, San Pablo, CA

The President鈥檚 Medal was first awarded in 1996. Recipients must exhibit extraordinary professionalism and job performance while engaged in their Co-op experience. A President鈥檚 Medalist must also demonstrate outstanding scholarship and have made notable contributions to 蜜桃视频 and the surrounding communities. 

Eight Kettering graduates earned the President鈥檚 Medal in 2024. They are:

• Henry Warren Grasman, B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Computer Engineering, Flushing, MI
• Kristen Jean Gury, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Canton, MI
• Ariana Elizabeth Hunt, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Monroe, MI
• David Gerald Kavanagh, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Shelby Township, MI
• Mattie Ann Reich, B.S. Computer Engineering, Flushing, MI
• Thomas Weldon Sprecher III, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Electrical Engineering, Marietta, GA
• Felipe Antonio Villalobos, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, San Pablo, CA
• Alayna Grace Wanless, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Unionville, MI

Every student who earns a Bachelor鈥檚 degree from 蜜桃视频 must satisfactorily complete a senior thesis. The thesis represents the culmination of a student鈥檚 academic experience. Two students earned Outstanding Thesis Awards this year for producing a thesis that exceeded the University鈥檚 highest expectations and expertly integrated theory and practice.

Lauryn Nicole Tithof, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Owosso, Michigan, earned a 2024 Outstanding Thesis Award for her work 鈥淯niversalized H-Point Process鈥� under Faculty Advisor Dr. Scott Grasman while in the Co-op program at Lear Corporation. Her thesis project replaced manual H-point testing with a semi-automated process that improved efficiency by as much as 84% and reduced the risk of injury by 100%. 

Alexandra Lakota Kekel, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Grand Blanc, Michigan, earned a 2024 Outstanding Thesis Award for her work during her Co-op employment at Munro & Associates Inc. in Troy, Michigan. As is sometimes the case when working on high-level projects and emerging technology, the company deemed her thesis confidential. Her Faculty Advisor, Dr. Bashar AbdulNour, said Kekel鈥檚 309-page report is one of the most technically valuable and the best thesis he has ever seen. 

蜜桃视频 is known for its rigorous academic standards and challenging coursework. This year, 39 students met those challenges head-on, earning their degrees with a grade point average of 3.90 or higher, granting them summa cum laude status. They are:

• Mary Samantha Allen, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Westland, MI
• Kimberly Linnette Betty, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Flint, MI
• Parker J. Buszka, B.S. Computer Science, Farmington, MI
• Rebecca L. Dengel, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Bay City, MI
• Andrew Thomas Dixon, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Shelby Township, MI
• Anna Christine Dumanois, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Clio, MI
• Luke Patrick Fenstermacher, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Canton, MI
• Shannon Nicole Fillwock, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Grand Blanc, MI
• Taiden Rexford Foryt, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Rochester, NY
• Jack William Gaddis, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Waterford, MI
• Joyce May Gaffner, B.S. Applied Biology, Ortonville, MI
• Bobby Rupesh Gandhi, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Shelby Township, MI
• Henry Warren Grasman, B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Computer Engineering, Flushing, MI
• Kristen Jean Gury, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Canton, MI
• Tyler J. Holdwick, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Harbor Beach, MI
• Emily Corinne Hong, B.S. Management, Marysville, MI
• Ariana Elizabeth Hunt, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Monroe, MI
• Parker Lee Jensen, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Holland, MI
• Spenser Alex Keys, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Huntington Woods, MI
• Mitchell Wallace Kusser, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Howell, MI
• Christopher George Mars, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Corunna, MI
• Lily Moran, B.S. Computer Science, Plymouth, MI
• Gregory Robert Morrill, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Flint, MI
• Sean Patrick Morse, B.S. Electrical Engineering, St. Johns, MI
• William Christian Kevin Moss, B.S. Computer Science, Freeport, MI
• Tanner P. Moszak, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Victor, NY
• William Chad Raines, B.S. Computer Science, Clarkston, MI
• Mattie Ann Reich, B.S. Computer Engineering, Flushing, MI
• Jared Patrick Robinson, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Flint, MI
• Jenna Michelle Salmen, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Schaumburg, IL
• Crystal Yaesong Smalligan, B.S. Management, Grand Rapids, MI
• Thomas Weldon Sprecher III, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Electrical Engineering, Marietta, GA
• Unya Chuanromanee Sripradisvarakul, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI
• Courtney Elizabeth Stone, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Lake Orion, MI
• Brady Marshall Tackabury, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Birch Run, MI
• Joel Anthony TenHaaf, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Caledonia, MI
• Lauryn Nicole Tithof, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Owosso, MI
• Alayna Grace Wanless, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Unionville, MI
• Allison Lynn Warners, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Jenison, MI

鈥淭here is not a better-prepared group of students in the country than the 蜜桃视频 students we honor today,鈥� 蜜桃视频 Provost Dr. James Zhang said. 鈥淭hey are remarkable.鈥�

蜜桃视频 awarded 418 bachelor's and 163 master's degrees during its 2024 commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 15, setting the stage for these graduates to take on roles as leaders and innovators in a breadth of industries and areas ranging from mobility, new energy vehicles, intelligent manufacturing, to AI and sustainability. Since its founding in 1919, 蜜桃视频 has continually brought STEM-focused learning to life. Through a 50/50 blend of rigorous academics and paid Co-op employment, Kettering students work shoulder-to-shoulder with professors and industry leaders and enter the job market with 2.5 years of on-the-job experience upon graduation. They also continue to command the highest starting salaries in Michigan, as evidenced by a multi-year standing at the top of SmartAsset鈥檚 list.

The 蜜桃视频 Class of 2024 has shown a unique ability to adapt and thrive in its post-secondary educational career that, for many, started amid the COVID pandemic. 鈥溍厶沂悠� stands out among all of higher education as an institution that provides the very best education and career preparation combined, and these graduates embody the concept of mastery that underlies our entire educational model,鈥� University President Dr. Robert K. McMahan said. 鈥淭his world needs their talents and abilities, their energy, their service, their determined focus, and their spirit. They have navigated college years through turbulent and uncertain times - but also with grace, grit, and resilience. And they have done so successfully.鈥� 

The Celebration of the Class of 2024 started the night before Commencement with the Academic Honors Banquet on June 14. The invitation-only event recognized several groups of graduates. Some of the 蜜桃视频 Class of 2024 graduates honored at last week鈥檚 Honors Banquet include:

Kimberly Linnette Betty, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Flint, Michigan, is a 2024 Sobey Scholar, an award that honors her outstanding scholarship and leadership on and off campus. Betty鈥檚 association with 蜜桃视频 began as a high school student participating in the Academically Interested Minds (AIM) pre-college program. While a Kettering student, Betty participated in the Co-op program at Lear Corporation, leading the effort to build a cost-efficient battery distribution unit prototype that reduced supply costs by 20%. On campus, Betty was instrumental in reactivating the Kettering Chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Off-campus, Betty spent time as a Kagle Leader, tutoring Flint High School students in physics.

Henry Warren Grasman, B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Computer Engineering, Flushing, Michigan, is a 2024 President鈥檚 Medalist, demonstrating extraordinary professionalism during Co-op employment and in the classroom while contributing to Kettering and the surrounding community. Grasman has been part of the General Motors Global Product Development Engineering Co-op since July 2020. Grasman accepted an offer to join GM full-time after graduation, making him a candidate for the MEDC鈥檚 Michigander Scholars Program, awarding him a $10,000 scholarship. While working for GM, Grasman earned an Intellectual Property Award for Patent No. US 118992308 B2, Uncertainty-based Map Visualizations for Directing Vehicles. This is just one of the multiple patents and trade secrets he has contributed to through his Co-op assignments and thesis work. Grasman is also a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, participating in many philanthropic activities on campus and in the greater Flint community.

Thomas Weldon Sprecher III, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Electrical Engineering, Marietta, Georgia, is also a 2024 President鈥檚 Medalist and 2024 Sobey Scholar. While completing a Bachelor鈥檚 degree with double majors and a Master鈥檚 degree simultaneously through Ketterings bachelor鈥檚 to master鈥檚 pathway, Sprecher performed his Co-op employment with PassiveBolt LLC, a start-up company founded by two Kettering alumni. While there, he was instrumental in designing several printed circuit boards for PassiveBolt鈥檚 smart home security systems. Sprecher has also worked on campus as an Electrical and Computer Engineering Assistant Lab Coordinator since 2021 and assisted with Dr. Allan Taylor鈥檚 OpenRoad project, building portable range boosters for electric vehicles.

Alexandra Lakota Kekel, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Grand Blanc, Michigan, earned a 2024 Outstanding Thesis Award for her work during her Co-op employment at Munro & Associates Inc. in Troy, Michigan. As is sometimes the case when working on high-level projects and emerging technology, the company deemed her thesis confidential. Her Faculty Advisor, Dr. Bashar AbdulNour, said Kekel鈥檚 309-page report is one of the most technically valuable and best thesis he had ever seen. Kekel was also employed at Stryker in Portage, Michigan, where she was a Co-op student and now works full-time.

Lauryn Nicole Tithof, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Owosso, Michigan, earned a 2024 Outstanding Thesis Award for her work 鈥淯niversalized H-Point Process鈥� under Faculty Advisor Dr. Scott Grasman while in the Co-op program at Lear Corporation. Her thesis project replaced manual H-point testing with a semi-automated process that improved efficiency by as much as 84% and reduced the risk of injury by 100%. Tithof also embodies the spirit of innovation, having launched her own small business, SneakArt Shoes, while still in high school. She is also a member of 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Industrial Engineering, Management, General Engineering, and Mathematical Honor Societies.

Commencement Speaker Sean McBurney 鈥�03 Celebrates Kettering Graduates With 鈥淥ne Last Sneaky Assignment鈥�

A business leader who rolled the dice on a non-traditional application of his Mechanical Engineering education and now leads the Las Vegas region of one the world鈥檚 preeminent resort brands, 蜜桃视频 alumnus Sean McBurney 鈥�03 (Mechanical Engineering) delivered the 2024 Commencement address. McBurney oversees nine casino resort properties as Regional President of Caesars Entertainment. With responsibility for 26,000 hotel rooms, McBurney ensures these large-scale operations deliver high service levels through robust processes and quality-control systems 鈥� skills rooted in his 蜜桃视频 education.

鈥淚 quickly learned crafting a commencement address is daunting,鈥� McBurney said. 鈥淭here are awesome expectations surrounding commencement addresses. As I put pen to paper, I oddly felt like I was back in the classroom. The last sneaky assignment from Kettering, 20 years after graduation.鈥� His advice to graduates? 鈥淵our success is limited only by your imagination,鈥� McBurney said. 鈥淚 had an extraordinary education here. You have had an extraordinary education here. You have developed a skillset, discipline, and experience that can set you on virtually any career path you desire.鈥�

蜜桃视频 conferred McBurney with an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration during the 2024 Commencement ceremony. McBurney began his Kettering career as a Co-op student with General Motors, working in Lordstown, Ohio, as well as Warren and Detroit, Michigan. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from 蜜桃视频 in 2003 and attended Stanford University Graduate School of Business before joining Caesars Entertainment in 2006 as a Casino Marketing Manager. In the nearly two decades since then, McBurney has worn many hats in the Caesars organization before taking on his current role as Regional President in 2021. As Regional President, he is responsible for overseeing hotel, gaming, food and beverage, retail, surveillance, security operations, marketing, and human resources operations for the company鈥檚 nine properties in the Las Vegas region, and over the last two years, the region set an all-time revenue record.

For photos of 蜜桃视频鈥檚 Commencement: