Ryan Neph ‘15 wants his fellow Kettering University graduates this year to work for more than paycheck or solely focus on the 9-to-5 and the security of a long-term position in an amicable environment. Instead, Neph wants every graduate to focus on improving the lives of those around them.

“Take initiative on projects that nobody else thinks can be done or desires to put effort into,” Neph said. “More important than getting a paycheck is enhancing the lives of everybody by developing the next medical procedure, finding the next alternative energy source or designing the next revolutionary product.”

Neph will have an opportunity to present his message in detail during the student address at commencement on June 20. Neph, a double major in Mechanical Engineering and Physics,  was selected to speak for his peers during graduation and his message will focus on open-ended pursuits of the world’s greatest problems.

Neph’s own Kettering career consisted of multiple challenges in engineering and physics - disciplines that both complement his interest in the mechanical workings of the world as well as electrical, thermal and hydraulic systems.

“My career aspirations are diverse,” Neph said. “As a mechanical engineer, I’m interested in pursuing aerospace or robotics development. With respect to physics, I’m interested in combining my knowledge to develop new medical technologies like medical imaging devices and surgical equipment.”

Neph will begin his post-Kettering career by pursuing a doctorate degree in medical physics at UCLA. Neph grew up in Waterford, Michigan, and completed his co-op at Siemen’s in Troy where he worked on noise, vibration and harshness research. His move to California in the fall will mark the first time he’s lived outside of Michigan. Neph’s research at UCLA will focus on a real-time magnetic resonance image guided LINAC radiotherapy for cancer treatments.

“It’s a way of irradiating tumors in the body using accelerated electrons and high energy x-rays rather than radioactive sources,” Neph said. “The treatment’s radiation dose can be controlled and directed better, concentrating the treatment on the tumor and reducing side effects on surrounding healthy tissue.”

After delivering his message to his peers at commencement, Neph will also carry it with him to the west coast. He chose to come to Kettering because of the small class sizes, intimate campus experience and co-op opportunities. Now, four-plus years later, he’s leaving with something greater than the sum of those parts, he’s leaving with accomplishments and purpose in the future.

“Kettering inspires in us a sense of accomplishment and the refusal to settle for an easy solution,” Neph said. “I want to send the message that we are the innovators. We are the thinkers in addition to being the tools and workers.”