Dr. Beverly Jones, faculty member in the Kettering University Department of Business, received the “Award of Excellence” for her contributions in Genesee County at the 14th Annual Black History Month Brunch sponsored by the Genesee District Library on February 7.

Jones is an associate professor of management at Kettering. Prior to teaching at Kettering, she was an adjunct faculty member at Central Michigan University, Ferris State University, Northwood University and the University of Michigan-Flint. She was also the former Dean of Continuing Education at Mott Community College.

“As a member of the faculty at Kettering University, I have been provided with the opportunity to educate, inspire and connect with the future engineering and business leaders of tomorrow,” said Jones, on stage, after accepting the award.

Dr. Beverly Jones accepting her Award of Excellence.

Born just down from the road from Kettering University at Hurley Hospital, Jones grew up in Flint and was part of the first ever graduating high school class at Flint Southwestern. She followed in her parents' footsteps by working on the assembly line at AC Spark Plug until her journey in education began.

“I turned to my husband and said I can’t do this for the next 30 years,” Jones said.

Jones took an education leave of absence to complete her associates at Mott Community College. She continued on to Northwood University to get her bachelors, her masters at Central Michigan University, and doctorate at Union Institute of Management.

“Sometimes I think I should get another Ph.D  because I lost 20 pounds while doing it,” said Jones, laughing.

Jones left General Motors in 1998 after 32 years of work in multiple management positions. Jones has taught at Kettering for the past 14 years and there’s no doubt in her mind that this is her calling.

“I don’t teach. I increase knowledge,” Jones said. “I want my students to leave out of the classroom inspired to do something more with their lives.”

Jones’ service extends beyond Kettering’s campus as she’s been on the boards of the Insight Recovery Center, YWCA and Genesys Hospital Foundation. She also received the Mott Community College Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014, the YWCA Women of Achievement Award in 2003 and the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Woman of the Year recognition in 2002.

Jones hopes to use her latest recognition to further contribute to the greater Flint community.

“Maya Angelou once said: ‘When you learn, teach. When you get, give,’” Jones said. “I want you to know that this award means that I will continue to strive to give back to the community so that I might be even more worthy of this honor.”