Evan Muchler ’28, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering, made history this fall as the 2024 WDRA Summit Junior Dragster World Champion. His victory capped off a season of focus and determination, making him the competition’s first-ever back-to-back finalist. For Evan, this accomplishment was the culmination of years spent perfecting his skills and racing alongside his family.

“Winning a world championship to prove something to someone else would take away the significance of it,” Evan said. “So going into the first race of 2024, I had the mentality to win it for myself and my dad.”

Evan’s drag-racing journey began when he was a child. “I was initially drawn into drag racing because it was the coolest thing that could have happened to me,” he said. “I was able to drive my own car when I was 8!”

With his dad by his side, Evan honed his skills over the years. “My dad has been there every step of the way,” he said. “We’ve put in countless hours of practice in the garage and at the racetrack for different strategies and techniques.”

Falling short in the 2023 WDRA finals tested Evan’s determination and fueled his desire to come back stronger this year. “As soon as I lost in the final in 2023, I was already thinking about how close I was and how I had the most potential out of everyone to make it back next year,” he said.

In the offseason, he refined his focus, learning to stay grounded and present in high-pressure moments. “My mindset going into the final round was to not think about the huge trophy that says ‘World Champion’ on it or the winner circle picture or post-race interview but instead think about the moment,” he explained. “All that mattered was the next round, and why should this one be any different than the thousands of other rounds I’ve won?” That focus helped Evan deliver a near-perfect performance in the finals, securing the championship title. 

Evan’s success on the track is closely tied to his academic journey. At ������Ƶ, he is pursuing a mechanical engineering degree to deepen his understanding of the machines he races. “The reason why I’m studying mechanical engineering is because of drag racing,” he said. “If I plan on drag racing for a lot longer, then I need to know how things work with my race cars and how to fix them.”

Balancing academics and racing is no easy task, but Evan remains committed to both. “I will try to fit racing into my schedule wherever I can,” he said. “But I won’t be missing any schooling because just like the term student-athlete, the ‘student’ part comes first.”

With a championship behind him and an exciting future ahead, Evan Muchler exemplifies the focus, perseverance, and innovation that define success in both racing and engineering.

������Ƶ is now one of only a very small number of the nation’s top engineering-focused universities to offer the industry-leading semiconductor software and electronic design automation (EDA) suite to faculty and undergraduate students.

FLINT, Mich. - ������Ƶ is pleased to announce it has received a substantial software gift from Synopsys, a global leader in comprehensive semiconductor software and electronic design automation (EDA) tools. With this gift, Kettering faculty and students, even as undergraduates, will have direct and unlimited access to the same comprehensive engineering design and development software suite and tools used by the world’s leading industries to design, simulate, and verify integrated semiconductor systems.  Kettering students will now be able to graduate with deep skills and firsthand experience with the very same technology used and trusted by top innovators like NVIDIA, Google, Samsung, and Intel to create next-generation semiconductor systems and devices.

������Ƶ is aggressively investing in the expansion and development of its semiconductor engineering education and training capabilities in response to the growing market demand in Michigan and across the United States. Combined with curricular innovations currently awaiting final approval, this gift, which includes 50 seat licenses to the entire software suite, provides an important foundation for the creation of a center of excellence in semiconductor engineering and technologies at the University. ������Ƶ is one of only a very small number of the nation's top engineering-focused universities to have this type of access to Synopsys’ comprehensive software suite. This industry-leading software will also be integrated into the University’s Industry 4.0 Lab — a hub for advanced research and technology on the campus. 

“������Ƶ's partnership with Synopsys makes it possible for our students to become proficient in these industry-standard systems,” said ������Ƶ President Dr. Robert K. McMahan. “Direct access to Synopsys’ advanced electronic design automation tools enables our students to design, simulate, and validate complex semiconductor systems — skills that are indispensable for excelling in the rapidly evolving semiconductor, mechatronics, and battery manufacturing sectors. This positions them to be significant contributors and leaders in developing the next generation of semiconductors and related technologies immediately upon graduation, if not before.”

Kettering and Synopsys also share a longstanding industry connection with Bob Kagle ’78. Kagle, widely regarded as one of the most successful venture capitalists in the history of Silicon Valley and founder of Benchmark Capital, was among the earliest investors in Synopsys. “Kettering is taking a remarkable step forward by putting Synopsys in the classroom, giving students hands-on access to tools that define the future of technology,” said Kagle. “I am proud to see Kettering leading in a field so critical to global progress and am thrilled to support this transformational partnership.”

Semiconductor technologies are the backbone of the world’s fastest-growing industries, including autonomous vehicles, electric mobility, and artificial intelligence, all areas in which Kettering has strong education, cooperative, and research programs. With the Synopsys partnership, ������Ƶ is poised to lead the way in these sectors, driving technological breakthroughs and ensuring our graduates are equipped to lead.

������Ƶ has, for over 100 years, played an integral role in educating highly talented engineers and industry leaders for a wide range of industries and technologies. It is among the reasons Kettering was selected as the only private institution to be part of MEDC’s Michigander Scholars Program, for which the semiconductor industry plays a significant role. 

“Kettering doesn’t just anticipate the future — we actively shape it,” said Dr. McMahan. “Our unwavering commitment to experiential education through strategic industry partnerships ensures that our students are prepared to lead from the front, solving tomorrow’s challenges with the expertise and innovative mindset demanded by today’s most advanced industries.”