There’s only one member of the Oskoian family that didn’t attend Kettering University, but Karl Oskoian '74 says that his wife talks about the school like she also spent five years there.
“My wife is the only family member who hasn’t attended Kettering but she is so familiar with the University and such a strong advocate that we’re going to have to figure out how to get her an honorary degree or something,” Karl said, laughing.
Karl graduated with a degree in Industrial Administration and in doing so, propelled a legacy family at the University as his three children – Courtney (2012), Cameron (2014) and Christopher (2015) – have all followed his lead while carving their own unique and successful paths along the way.
“Being a Kettering graduate, I made the University known to my children,” Karl said. “I made certain that they were aware of Kettering and all of its many strengths during their college selection process.”
Karl did not insist his children should attend Kettering but as soon as his eldest, Courtney, made the decision, and experienced positive results, the momentum grew and when it came time for his youngest, Christopher, to decide on a college, the choice was automatic. He knew he was going to continue the family Bulldog legacy.
Leading the Way
Courtney first learned about Kettering during the summer weekends of her youth when the entire family would drive to northern Michigan, passing through Flint in each direction.
“I knew about Kettering because of my dad. I remember us going up north and dad always wanted to stop there on the way,” Courtney said. “His own experience made him an advocate. He knew the value of the experience that he had there and also knew multiple people that he graduated with who had remarkably successful careers.”
After graduating as co-valedictorian of her class of over 400 at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester Hills, Michigan, Courtney was set on studying engineering at the University of Michigan until she made a final trip to Kettering for a “Prep for Success” event which swayed her loyalty to Flint.
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“I’m not a gearhead, I’m a people person. This made me a little unsure about Kettering,” Courtney said. “But I quickly learned Kettering’s unique co-op format paid tremendous dividends and allowed unparalleled learning experiences. I made friends there that I’m going to have forever. My best girlfriends at Kettering are also IEs (Industrial Engineering), who graduated with me.”
Courtney stressed that it was the acquisition of the soft skills through her co-op placement that made her an advocate for Kettering’s education model and the vast experiences that it provides.
“The people who are successful are good communicators, can make people feel an integral part of the team by including and valuing their input and are good listeners,” Courtney said. “You can learn how to be a good engineer, but if you don’t learn how to relate to, work with, motivate and lead people you are not going to be as successful as you can be. I think that’s the biggest thing that I learned through my co-op experience.”
Courtney graduated in December 2012 with a degree in Industrial Engineering and completed her co-op at General Motors Power Train and then General Dynamic Land Systems. The latter being the same place where her father, Karl, worked for 35 years before retiring in 2013 from his position as the manager of marketing communications and public affairs.
After graduating, Courtney accepted a line supervisor position as a group leader with General Motors Corporation at the Hamtramck Assembly Plant where she managed 40 individuals in general assembly, as a 22-year-old right out of college.
“I was responsible for everything you can think of related to my part of the business and I chose it because it was a really good leadership opportunity and challenge for me,” Courtney said. “It was the most challenging job assignment. It was my co-op experience that provided me with the skillset necessary to be successful.”
Courtney has since completed two years in three areas as a group leader in general assembly managing approximately 120 individuals at the plant. Now, she is an industrial engineer in the general assembly area responsible for implementing process improvements.
She also recently moved into a condo in Rochester Hills with her brother Cameron, who graduated from Kettering in December 2013.
“Like any siblings, we have a tendency to have disagreements but we work them out. We also have two different schedules so we see each other just enough,” Courtney said. “We are pretty dynamic family like anyone at Kettering will tell you.”
Following the Family’s Lead
Growing up, Cameron always admired General Motors and the role the company played in Michigan. His father completed his co-op at Cadillac Motor Car and worked at GM from 1969 to 1978.
“I love cars,” Cameron said. “I’m not an engineer or a person who breaks down and rebuilds cars. But I love to drive and look at cars.”
Between his passion for cars, influence from his father, and the success his older sister was having at Kettering, his decision to attend the university was an easy one.
“We saw the advantage of working,” Cameron said. “What I think separates Kettering from any other undergraduate institution is the work experience.”
Cameron graduated from Kettering with a bachelors of science in business administration with concentrations in accounting and finance, and minors in economics and international studies.
After graduating, Cameron joined GM as a foreign exchange and commodities analyst in the company’s New York treasurer’s office and has since transitioned to an analyst position working on the global treasury transformation project. Cameron credits his success to the curriculum at Kettering and the leadership the opportunities that he had on campus.
“The big thing you can do at Kettering is build leadership skills,” Cameron said. “You’re learning how to manage people and lead. At a small campus, you have the opportunity to meet with students, administrators and alumni and make a difference for everyone involved with the University.”
As a senior, Cameron was president of the B-Section student body. Over the course of his time at Kettering, he also served as treasurer of the Kettering student government, resident advisor, was external vice president of his fraternity and was a member of multiple university operating committees. His younger brother, Christopher (expected graduation - 2015), has followed his lead and is the current student body president of B-Section.
“The reason the Kettering experience is so powerful is the work experience that young people get along with the relationships and contacts they will develop,” Karl said. “My children knew that the Kettering model would give them a great start in their professional careers while positioning them very strongly to obtain advanced degrees from top tier universities.”
The Next Generation of Oskoians
Recently, Karl was the chairperson for his 40th class reunion and returned to Kettering and viewed campus from his own perspective and that of his three children.
“It appears to me that the University is stronger than ever. It’s also drawing in a wider cross section of students,” Karl said. “I believe Dr. McMahan is doing an outstanding job assessing what Kettering needs, putting a strategic plan in place and securing the resources to make it happen. The strategic plan is going to accelerate the possibilities that this university has to offer.”
Karl sees the University as truly global and is very encouraged about the graduate school opportunities for all three of his children given the reputation of the undergraduate educations that they received at Kettering compounded with the work experience they gained. Karl believes that Kettering was the ideal starting point for his children’s careers and hopefully for his future grandchildren.
“I would certainly like my grandchildren to be very aware of Kettering University and for them to seriously consider attending,” Karl said. “I know I will make them aware of it and I am certain each of my three children will do the same. I strongly believe there is no better University in the world from which to obtain an undergraduate degree and prepare and position yourself to make a lasting positive difference in the world.”