“Our donors play a critical role in the lives of our students in so many ways. We are grateful for the many ways donors impact this amazing University.”
Kettering University continues to deliver a world class Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Business education to students who will lead the next generation’s workforce. The support from committed donors and friends of the University is a major reason Kettering continues to deliver an innovative education with a nearly 100 year history of proven, amazing student and alumni outcomes.
Kettering hosted donors, alumni and friends at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan, on Oct. 4, to celebrate their generous contributions, share a glimpse at the impact they have and thank them for their support.
“Our donors play a critical role in the lives of our students in so many ways,” said Susan Davies, CFRE, Vice President for University Advancement and External Relations. “Their gifts and support make a college education more accessible through scholarships, they provide new pre-college opportunities that get students interested in STEM education and careers, and allow the University to continuously improve the physical learning and living spaces on our campus to create an environment that inspires creativity, collaboration and innovative thinking in our students. We are grateful for the many ways donors impact this amazing University.”
Among the 65 donors who attended, 12 moved up a giving society level and were personally recognized and presented with a token of appreciation, including J.T. Battenberg III ’66 and his wife Luann for their $1 million commitment to the Learning Commons. (To learn more about the future Learning Commons, view the design plans and video here.)
The 12 donors that were recognized for moving into a new giving society include:
- Sue Davies; President’s Circle
- Gibson ‘55 and Sandra Hufstader; President’s Circle
- Clark ‘81 and Carla ‘83 Bailo; General Determination Society
- Hank Fracalossi ‘56; General Determination Society
- Dr. Robert and Karen McMahan; General Determination Society
- Jeff Owens ‘78; General Determination Society
- Tom ‘72 and Annie Lockwood; Founders Society
- Richard Zimmerman ‘56; Founders Society
- Jane Boon ‘90 and Norm Pearlstine; Innovator Society
- Dr. Gail Ganakas; Innovator Society
- Bob ’85 and Marcy ’85 Roth; Innovator Society
- J.T. ‘66 and Luann Battenberg; Bell Tower Society
Throughout the years, donations and scholarship opportunities have had great impact on Kettering University students.
Recent graduate Daniella Mayoral ‘16 shared her Kettering journey at the donor recognition event and discussed what scholarship support meant for her just days before leaving for a work assignment in Germany with Bosch. She currently works full time for Bosch where she is in charge of North American production of gasoline engine control units. But without scholarship opportunities, her dream of being an engineer may not have happened.
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| Daniella Mayoral '16 spoke to Kettering University alumni about the impact donors have on students, sharing her own personal experiences. |
Mayoral grew up in a single-parent home in San Antonio, Texas. The neighborhood she grew up in was not safe, but her mother inspired her to keep moving forward and reaching for her dreams. Kettering was part of her dreams, but she still had to make it work financially.
“Working with my financial aid advisor, I learned that I would be able to pay for school with the help of scholarships, co-op earnings and student loans. Without the scholarships I would have not been able to make it,” Mayoral said at the event. “That day opened the door for me, I became the first generation in my family to attend a four-year university in the United States.”
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