Joe Spielman, General Motors vice president of North America assembly and stamping operations, was honored Nov. 16 as the Distinguished Volunteer of Kettering University during the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) National Philanthropy Day Recognition Dinner. The event was at The Dearborn Inn in Dearborn.

Spielman, who is a 1968 graduate of Kettering University and has served for many years as the key executive linking GM and Kettering, was among the guests of honor feted for their exceptional efforts in the community. Spielman often returns to campus to speak with students and has become well known for his presentation on the Corvette.

Each year the Association of Fundraising Professionals marks one day in November to celebrate the spirit of giving. AFP represents 27,000 members in 180 chapters in the United States, Canada, Mexico and China, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education and certification programs. Proceeds from the National Philanthropy Day Dinner provide continuing education programs sponsored by the AFP - Greater Detroit Chapter, including programs for new professionals and forums for education around ethics and standards of practice.

Spielman's career at General Motors began when he was co-op student at the Fisher Body plant in Flint. Over his more than 40-year career, he has had operational responsibility for GM's assembly and metal stamping plants in North America and served as GM vice president and general manager of vehicle manufacturing with responsibility for North American assembly plants. Among his other honors, he is president of The Hundred Club of Flint Inc. and inducted into the National Corvette Museum Hall of Fame in 2001. He will retire from GM on Feb. 1, 2007.

Kettering has previously honored Armen Oumedian '49 of Grand Rapids and Steve McEwen '54 of Bowling Green, Ohio, with this national philanthropy award.

Written by Pat Mroczek
(810) 762-9533
pmroczek@kettering.edu