Kettering University’s African American Alumni Network Honors Distinguished Members of the University Community

Kettering University’s African American Alumni Network members gathered Saturday, May 18, to celebrate the outstanding contributions of retired professor Dr. Petros “Pete” Gheresus and current faculty member Dr. K. Joel Berry.

Dr. Gheresus (also known affectionately as Professor Pete) is a native of Eritrea, East Africa. With an 8th-grade education, he emigrated to the United States, settling in Minnesota when he was 19. His determined spirit pushed him to earn a high school diploma and continue his journey into higher education - eventually earning a doctorate in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University.

Dr. Gheresus joined General Motors Institute (GMI), now Kettering University, in 1980. Over his tenure, he held several pivotal roles, including Director of the Industrial Engineering Program and the Director of the Computer Center. In 1984, he co-founded the Academically Interested Minds (AIM) program, which continues to provide high school students with a taste of the rigorous, hands-on Kettering experience by exposing them to college-level math, science, and business courses.

While Dr. Gheresus retired from Kettering in 2022 after more than 40 years of service, he continues to serve the University outside the classroom by promoting robotics education to Genesee County area teachers and students.

Rahel Medhanie ‘16, M’21 shared her thoughts on how Dr. Gheresus embodies the Kettering spirit, “Pete exemplifies what it means to be a great person, teacher, and engineer and continues to be a staple in fostering engineering and technology education in his local community, as well as in his home country.”

Dr. K. Joel Berry is a current Kettering University faculty member and an alumnus. Dr. Berry earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1979 from GMI. Since joining the faculty in 1987, he has inspired more than 4,000 young minds. Ella Reevers ‘80, counts Dr. Berry as a constant positive influence in her life, “He is focused on the prize and is very much like the mascot of our alma mater, the Bulldog,” she said. “Once he commits to a plan, he sees it through. Something he encourages others to do as well.”

Dr. Berry was the first person of color to join Kettering University’s Mechanical Engineering faculty and became the longest-serving Head of an Engineering Department in the history of the University. Dr. Berry is also the founder and Director of the Kettering Center for Fuel Cell Systems Integration. He lists his priorities as God, family, academics, and basketball -- in that order.

Ricky Brown, Director of Multicultural Student Affairs, said both Dr. Berry and Dr. Gheresus have made a huge impact on Kettering, “They have taught thousands of students in the fields of engineering and computer programming. Through their dedication and passion, they have educated and touched the lives of so many successful professionals worldwide. Drs. Berry and Gheresus have been a positive force for Kettering's students of color. They have gone over and beyond their call of duty to mentor the students. Kettering is one of the top-ranked universities in the country when it comes to retention for students of color in  engineering, and these two gentlemen are part of that legacy of success.” 

About Kettering University’s African American Alumni Network

The AAAN was founded in 2019 by 35 of Kettering’s African American alums who wanted to make a difference. The Kettering University African American Alumni Scholarship Endowment was born through donations from those original members. While providing financial assistance through scholarships is the mission of the Network, mentoring remains a top priority. The hope is that all who are touched by the African American Alumni Network and Scholarship Endowment will follow their mentors’ lead and continue the tradition of support.