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.

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 proudly marked the 30th anniversary of its partnership with four Universities of Applied Sciences in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. A weeklong series of events celebrating this milestone culminated in a symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Driving hosted by our partners in Konstanz, Germany, on July 10, 2024. The symposium showcased the innovative research conducted by faculty members from all participating institutions and fostered new partnerships and collaborations.

The symposium featured distinguished speakers from ������Ƶ, including:

• Dr. Jungme Park, Associate Professor of Computer Engineering, who discussed "Enhancing Environmental Perception for Autonomous Driving using DNN and Sensor Fusion Technologies."
• Dr. Girma Tewolde, Professor of Computer Engineering, who presented "Autonomous Mobility Teaching and Research Activities at ������Ƶ."
• Dr. Lisa Gandy, Associate Professor of Computer Science, who explored "Using Large Language Models in Medical Technology."
• Dr. Seyed Jamaleddin Mostafavi Yazdi, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, who spoke  about "Leveraging Physics-Informed Neural Networks for Advanced Mechanical Characterization and Optimization of Lattice Structures."

In July 1994, a delegation of educators from Baden-Wurttemberg traveled to Flint, Michigan, and visited ������Ƶ, then called GMI Engineering and Management Institute or GMI/EMI, to sign the first agreement with then-University President Dr. Jim John. The first semester-long exchanges began in 1996, allowing ������Ƶ students to experience life in Germany while earning college credit and bringing German students into the Kettering community. It was the first exchange program of its kind in ������Ƶ's history. Today, the program is the University’s largest and most active exchange program. 

More than 3,400 students and faculty members have participated during the program’s 30-year existence. These exchanges have fostered collaborative research and innovations that have enriched learning for students and faculty on both sides of the Atlantic. The program has allowed Kettering students, who have rigid schedules due to Co-op and rigorous 11-week academic terms, to enjoy a study abroad experience, as the Baden-Wurttemberg universities modified their schedules to match Kettering’s term calendar and length.

“Studying abroad encourages our students to develop the skills needed to succeed in the workplace, such as intercultural communication, problem-solving, and adaptability,” said Laura Allen, Director of the ������Ƶ Office of International Programs. “Experiencing an academic program in another country also encourages our students to engage in new ways of learning and, when students return home, apply these new skills and experiences to their academic program and Co-op.” 

The enduring collaboration with Reutlingen University, Esslingen University, Ulm University, and Konstanz University is supported by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Arts of Baden-Wurttemberg and the Baden-Wurttemberg Foundation.

In July 2024, ������Ƶ President Dr. Robert McMahan, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. James Zhang, and a delegation from Kettering traveled to Germany to celebrate the milestone anniversary with some of the people responsible for creating the partnership 30 years ago. During the celebration dinner, Dr. McMahan paid tribute to Dr. Ron Greenwood, who was instrumental in organizing the first delegation from Flint to Germany; Prof. Gerhard Walliser, who coordinated the program from 1994 until 2010; and Prof. Baldur Veit, who has coordinated the program in partnership with the Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts of Baden-Wuerttemberg since 2011. The celebration also saw the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding, renewing the commitment to the international partnership and laying the groundwork for future collaborations.

"As we look to the future, we are committed to exploring new opportunities for growth and innovation," Dr. McMahan said. "As we sign the new Memorandum of Understanding, we do so with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm. Together, we will strive to enhance our programs, expand our research collaborations, and create even more opportunities for our students and faculty."

This anniversary commemorates three decades of academic and cultural exchange and highlights the ongoing commitment to innovation, collaboration, and excellence that ������Ƶ and its German partners share. Current Kettering faculty member Dr. Mo Torfeh has been a part of the exchange program from the beginning. Dr. Torfeh is a professor of electrical and computer engineering specializing in automotive electronic control systems, electric vehicle propulsion, and solar photovoltaic energy systems. Torfeh has also served as the faculty coordinator for the Baden-Wuerttemberg program. “Kettering students who participate in the exchange learn skills that are very beneficial for when everything's getting global. We have to work with all kinds of cultures,” said Torfeh. “The German students benefit from the opportunity to strengthen their English skills. And all of the students build strong connections and friendships with one another.” Torfeh has also served as the faculty coordinator for the Baden-Wuerttemberg program. In that role, he advises Kettering ECE students who want to participate in the exchange. Dr. Torfeh also coordinates research projects for German students who wish to complete their master's thesis while at Kettering.

Another Kettering faculty member, Dr. Jungme Park, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, specializes in environmental perception for autonomous driving and the optimization of deep neural networks for artificial intelligence and serves as a research advisor for German students.

As we look to the future, the symposium in Konstanz symbolizes the continued dedication to pushing the boundaries of research and fostering global academic relationships. It is thanks to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved that the collaboration has become a shining example of what can be achieved through international cooperation.

from the week of events in Germany.

������Ƶ 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, ������Ƶ 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’s list.

The ������Ƶ 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. “������Ƶ 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,” University President Dr. Robert K. McMahan said. “This 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.” 

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 ������Ƶ Class of 2024 graduates honored at last week’s 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’s association with ������Ƶ 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’s 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’s 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’s Medalist and 2024 Sobey Scholar. While completing a Bachelor’s degree with double majors and a Master’s degree simultaneously through Ketterings bachelor’s to master’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 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 “Universalized H-Point Process” 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 ������Ƶ’s Industrial Engineering, Management, General Engineering, and Mathematical Honor Societies.

Commencement Speaker Sean McBurney ‘03 Celebrates Kettering Graduates With “One Last Sneaky Assignment”

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’s preeminent resort brands, ������Ƶ alumnus Sean McBurney ’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 — skills rooted in his ������Ƶ education.

“I quickly learned crafting a commencement address is daunting,” McBurney said. “There 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.” His advice to graduates? “Your success is limited only by your imagination,” McBurney said. “I 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.”

������Ƶ 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 ������Ƶ 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’s nine properties in the Las Vegas region, and over the last two years, the region set an all-time revenue record.

For photos of ������Ƶ’s Commencement:

Eleven ������Ƶ students joined nearly 1,200 students from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom to compete at the 2024 Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference in Austin, Texas, from April 20 through April 23.

Kettering students earned three test medals, one presentation medal, three finalist medals, and a third-place finish.

Morgan Main ('24, Mechanical Engineering) earned a presentation medal, a finalist medal, and the 3rd place award in Restaurant and Food Service Management.

Ethan Arun ('27, Computer Science) and Ben Bollman ('27, Mechanical Engineering) received finalist medals and a top 10 finish in the Entertainment Marketing team event.

Skyler Chinn ('24, Industrial Engineering) received a test medal in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising.

Ralph Mancini ('25, Chemical Engineering) and Adam Meyer ('25, Mechanical Engineering) earned test medals in Travel and Tourism.

Other Kettering DECA participants at the conference included the B-Section President, Jack Sigelko ('25, Computer Engineering), Joshua Parker ('27, Mechanical Engineering), Crystal Smalligan ('24, Management), Meadow Loukmas ('26, Mechanical Engineering), and Ally Raymer ('27, Mechanical Engineering).

The International Career Development Conference (ICDC) by DECA is a premier event where teams showcase their business expertise and compete to become international champions. The conference also features networking opportunities, career exhibits, and exclusive activities that enhance the professional growth of all attendees.