“The common theme for the night is that these are really good people. ... These are people doing good things for the right reasons, and we should recognize that.”
Brady Ericson (’94, ME) hopes he can make some people chuckle while hosting the virtual Evening of Distinction & Determination.
The Evening of Distinction & Determination is a time to honor generous Kettering University donors and decorated alumni. The event, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, will be a hybrid of live and virtual presentations from Building 22 studio in Detroit and recorded interviews with the award recipients.
Ericson is Vice President of BorgWarner Inc. and President and General Manager of the Morse Systems division. Although he said he has given speeches and presentations in front of executives and boards, this will be his first time assuming hosting duties. He likes to be prepared but not too scripted, so it feels more authentic.
“I will try to make it fun with some quick jokes, and as I tell my family, I’m the funniest person I know,” Ericson said with a laugh. “I crack myself up all of the time, but I hope others find it entertaining as well.”
He said he likes to support good causes, especially ones he has a personal attachment to, which is why he agreed to host the event. Ericson’s son attends the University, and Ericson continues to be involved with the University.
He has most recently served as the bridge between the University and BorgWarner to start the BorgWarner Scholars Program, which provides scholarships to students in financial need, with a focus on African American and Hispanic students interested in an engineering co-op at BorgWarner. The company donated $925,000 for the program in February as well as $100,000 to support a new Kettering University initiative and help expand it to more corporate sponsors.
Ericson said the Evening of Distinction & Determination is a good time to reflect and recognize the great things going on at the University and with its alumni.
“The common theme for the night is that these are really good people,” Ericson said. “That’s a great thing about Kettering students and alumni. They are down-to-earth; they are pragmatic, and they are humble. They just like to go out and do the job. You don’t see a lot of these people looking for accolades or saying ‘Look at me, I’m the greatest.’ These are people doing good things for the right reasons, and we should recognize that.”
To RSVP for the event, click here.