Dr. Laura Sullivan, professor of Mechanical Engineering, delivered the 2016 Kettering University Commencement address on June 18, 2016 in the Recreation Center on campus.

Below is a summary of all the news at Kettering University in 2016.

Campus News

In 2016, Kettering launched a home loans programs for staff and faculty and hosted Brookings Institution on campus.

• Kettering University launches home loan program to encourage faculty, staff to purchase homes in Flint

• Brookings Institution workshop at Kettering University notes that Flint is a hub for high-skilled workforce development

• Senator Gary Peters (MI) Tours Kettering University, Discusses Connected Auto Technology

• Kettering University recognized by Washington Monthly, SmartAsset for return on investment

• Federal EDA grants to Kettering University, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce support economic development in Flint

• Kettering University GM Mobility Research Center will position Flint and Michigan at forefront of transportation and mobility research and development

• Kettering University hosts industry leaders for discussion on technology and engineering pathways

• New admissions program provides scholarship support to children of employees at corporate partners

Rankings and Recognitions

Kettering University continued to climb in national rankings in 2016.

• Kettering University ranked 14th nationally, No. 1 in Midwest in PayScale.com 2016 College ROI Report

• Kettering University ranking rises in 2017 U.S. News and World Report ‘Best Colleges’

• The Wall Street Journal Ranks Kettering University First in the Midwest for Career Preparation

• Kettering University Named to Victory Media’s 2017 Military Friendly® Schools List

• Academically Interested Minds Program Earns National Honor

• Kettering University Actuarial Program ranked second in the United States

• Accreditation of the Business Programs at Kettering University Reaffirmed by ACBSP

Academic and Research News

Kettering University faculty expanded research opportunities for current and future students on campus by engaging in long-term projects.

• Dr. Laura Sullivan playing leading role in helping Flint solve water issues

• KEEN grant will expose freshmen to the entrepreneurial mindset in IME 100

• Dr. Peter Gheresus helping spread education in his native Eritrea

• Dr. Theresa Atkinson partners with Flint medical professionals to study ankle injuries

• KEEN i2e-AU faculty grants facilitate collaboration, infuse entrepreneurial learning into course

• Dr. Laura Sullivan teaming with Wayne State researchers to evaluate water system and public health

• KEEN grant helps Kettering University ECE faculty member challenge students to think like customers

• National Science Foundation grant to Kettering University will enhance undergraduate research opportunities

• Dr. Pete Gheresus Industrial Engineering faculty member helping spread STEM in Flint

• Faculty at Flint colleges partner for year-long discussion on teaching, student engagement

• Course allows Kettering University students to imagine a 100 percent sustainable city

• Strong applied research reputation helping fuel Kettering University's growth

• Dr. Laura Mebert Discussed Her Coca-Cola Research on BBC Radio

• Dr. Kathryn Svinarich selected to participate in prestigious national institute

• Kettering University researchers tapped to develop high efficiency charger for PowerAmerica

• Kettering University Faculty Member Participates in Advanced Placement Program Reading 

• Professor Joy Arbor Reflects on Past Through Poetry 

• Internal Funding Sparks Research Opportunities at Kettering University 

• Kettering University Mechanical Engineering Professor Awarded Fellowship to Teach Overseas 

• Kettering University professor challenges students to tackle policy issues 

• Two Kettering University Faculty Members Nationally Recognized by the Society of Women Engineers 

• Kettering University Computer Science faculty member helps local Girl Scout troop participate in Hour of Code 

• Grant will help Kettering acquire a 3D Digital Image Correlation System

Student News

Students at Kettering University participated in extracurricular activities on campus while giving back to the greater Flint community. 

• Harrison Ford ‘16 appointed to Governor Rick Snyder’s MiSTEM Advisory Council 

• Students help design device aimed at preventing rear-impact crashes 

• Students in ecology course create PSAs to call attention to environmental issues 

• DECA team has impressive showing at state conference 

• Co-op experience in the mining industry has given Kettering University student new engineering perspective 

• Baja Team finishes 12th at Blizzard Baja at Michigan Tech 

• Sigma Chi students helping fellow student meet grandparents for the first time 

• Students start Love Your Melon chapter to support children battling cancer 

• Working in family repair shop inspired Kettering University student to pursue automotive career 

• Students developing 3D printed water filter adapter to help during water emergencies 

• Clean snowmobile team finishes first in cost, subjective noise categories at competition 

• Nick Foggia ‘16 working on impactful projects for government in co-op position 

• Chemical Engineering students practice filtration methods using beer 

• Kettering Entrepreneur Society funding helps students launch creative business ventures 

• Model United Nations students gain valuable insights at Harvard conference 

• Kettering University students, FirstMerit Bank team up to make improvements to Flint’s Ballenger Park 

• Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient inspired to continue giving back to his community 

• Prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship helps Flint student attend Kettering University 

• Kettering University launches Kettering Service Corps program 

• Flint River Watershed Coalition program at Kettering University helps create young stewards of the river 

• Students earn top honors at 2016 International Career Development Conference 

• Students develop creative phone apps for entertainment, problem solving 

• Students use new skills, teamwork to create autonomous vehicle technology 

• Students launch Habitat for Humanity chapter 

• Students looking to start Shell Eco-marathon team 

• Baja Team Improves Over the Course of the Season 

• Trevor Bennett ‘19 turns first co-op term into award-winning experience 

• Students building engineering, tech skills through aquaponics 

• Muhammad Ghias ‘17 and Jace Stokes ‘19 Learn from University Innovation Fellows Program at Stanford 

• Business students partner with Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to help impact the community

• Joel Luebker ‘18 is living his dream at Kettering University 

• Keep Me Kettering Scholarship Fund provides profound opportunities for students at Kettering University 

• Tony Nichol ‘20 says education, co-op experience puts him ahead of the game

Alumni

Kettering University alumni flourished in their careers while giving back to campus in 2016. 

• Raj Nair ‘87 helping Ford plan the future of the automobile industry 

• Experience helped prepare Bob Riley ‘60 for professional world 

• Jackie Birdsall '07 helped launch the Toyota Mirai in 2015 

• Purchase of 2016 Camaro at Barrett-Jackson by Rick Hendrick nets $500,000 for Kettering University 

• Sabin Blake ‘99 has combined personal and professional passions in role at General Motors 

• Charlie Baker ‘82 is inspired to find ways to give back 

• NASA engineer Rebecca Junell ‘07 encourages women to pursue STEM passions 

• Jeffrey Peterson ‘00 and ‘04 Receives Top Honors at Black Engineer of the Year Awards STEM Conference 

• Skills learned at Kettering University gave Nicholas Pidek ‘14 confidence to start his own business 

• Rhonda Koeske ‘90 tests engineering skills in a unique business venture -- dog agility training 

• Dave Stenson ‘86 focusing on next generation electric vehicle market 

• Sonia Syngal ‘93 combines creativity, engineering in successful career at Gap Inc. 

• Renee Arrington-Johnson ‘82 leading GM’s People With Disabilities Employee Resource Group 

• Nate Wilson ‘08 driven by entrepreneurial spirit creates Cycleboat company 

• Kettering University experience gave Valerie Grubb ‘90 confidence level to explore new careers, travel the world 

• Kettering University Experience Propels Career for Hector Ledesma ‘65 in Argentina 

• Caitlin Bunt ‘14 lands dream job after winning Infiniti Engineering Academy 

• Nine graduates to be honored during annual Alumni Awards ceremony 

• Marie Johnson ‘90 turns tragedy into inspiration for start-up 

• Kettering University recognizes impact of donors at annual event 

• Lixi Liu ‘15 and Nate Dwarshuis ‘15 awarded prestigious NSF Fellowship 

• Qasar Younis ‘04 uses engineering experience to succeed in Silicon Valley 

• Karl Oskoian ‘74 inspired to make a difference

Announcements and Appointments

Kettering University restructured its academics by moving to a college system in 2016. 

• Burnie Nelson to receive Award of Excellence at GDL Black History Month Brunch 

• Kettering University names founding Dean of Graduate School and Research 

• Kettering University admissions staff member serving as MACAC President 

• Kettering University names founding Dean of College of Engineering 

• Kettering University appoints new associate provost 

• Kettering University names Dean of School of Management 

• Kettering University names new Director of Admissions 

• Kettering University appoints new Mechanical Engineering Department Head 

• Kettering University appoints new Physics Department Head

2016 Commencement

The class of 2016 was celebrated at the Recreation Center on campus on June 18, 2016. 

• Dr. Laura Sullivan will share foundational commitment to service with graduating class as 2016 commencement speaker 

• Commencement student speaker says Kettering creates workforce leaders 

• 2016 Kettering University President’s Medalists, Sobey Scholars and Leaders Fellows announced 

• Persistence, time management were keys for 2016 Kettering University Outstanding Thesis Award recipient 

• Mother, son will be sharing the stage at 2016 Kettering University Commencement 

• Friendship of graduates includes experiences at Flint Southwestern, AIM Program and Kettering University 

FIRST Robotics

Kettering University became the first district competition site in the United State to host back-to-back FIRST Robotics competitions in 2016. 

• Kettering University, FIRST Robotics have played big role in lives of Shumaker family 

• Kettering Robotics team looking to expand 

• FIRST Robotics Community Center helping Bentley High School students expand team, gain exposure to college 

• Kettering University becomes first district competition site in U.S. to host back-to-back FIRST Robotics Competitions 

• Kettering Kickoff Results From September 16-17

• FIRST Robotics Center at Kettering University gives Flushing team room to grow

Editorial

Supporters of Kettering University submitted editorials to instruct current students on how to be successful while on campus. 

• 5 Tips for Success at Kettering University 

• 5 Steps to Building a Personal Leadership Brand at your Co-op 

• Tips for Running the Crim or Any Other Road Race 

• Duane McKeachie / Robert Brown Student Faculty Lounge

#LifeOnTheAvenue 

#LifeOnTheAvenue is a series that will profile the people, organizations and places in the University Avenue Corridor that make the region unique, compelling and – most importantly – vital to Flint’s bright future. Follow along on social media using the #LifeOnTheAvenue hashtag. 

• Profiling the people and organizations transforming the University Avenue Corridor
• Carriage Town Auto has witnessed, been impacted by work of University Avenue Corridor Coalition
• Spirit of residents drives revitalization efforts in University Avenue Corridor
• Partnerships between schools, anchor institutions build momentum along University Avenue Corridor
• Summer festivities, service projects bring the University Avenue community together
• Partnerships along University Avenue create feeling of connectedness
• Kettering University fosters strong partnerships, creating a big impact
• Work study positions allow Kettering students to partner with community organizations
• Byrne Grant spurs positive community action in Flint and beyond