Four Kettering University students received scholarships while a faculty member and one Kettering University graduate won a prestigious award at the annual Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Conference in California in October.

Amy Allison, a senior Mechanical Engineering major and president of Kettering’s B-section SWE, received the Praxair Inc. Scholarship and won an emerging leadership award for Region H, one of the largest SWE regions in the world.

“The SWE National Conference gave me unparalleled professional development opportunities and a chance to network with extraordinarily successful women in industry,” Allison said. “I also love seeing so many Kettering  students and alumni being honored.”

Ashley Gaabo, a senior Industrial Engineering major, received the MASWE Scholarship. Savannah Brown, a senior Mechanical Engineering major, received the Meredith Thoms Memorial Scholarship. Kaila Hart, a senior Chemical Engineering major, received the Honda Scholarship.

Thirteen Kettering students attended the conference -- the first time students from both A-section and B-section have attended. They were able to participate in a wide range of workshops, meet industry professionals and network with a wide range of students and faculty from other institutions.

“It was empowering to see so many aspiring professionals and professionals all in the same building,” said Laura Correa, a junior and the vice president of B-section SWE. “I loved being surrounded by intelligent women who will one day make a difference in the world. It boosted my confidence that I, too, can make a difference.”

Dr. Diane Peters, faculty advisor to both Kettering SWE sections and Mechanical Engineering faculty, was recognized at the conference for being a member of SWE for 25 years. In addition, Stacy Thayer Lueneburg ‘06 and ‘11 won a Distinguished New Engineer award. Lueneburg, a past president of SWE Detroit, is currently a senior staff engineer at Continental Automotive Systems.

Peters and Eve Vitale, director of philanthropy - corporate and foundation giving, were panelists for a discussion of networking in academic settings. Peters also co-presented a session discussing tips for teaching STEM concepts. The conference included a career fair with more than 275 companies from around the world represented.

“The SWE conference was amazing,” said student Daniella Mayoral, a senior. “I was able to network with so many professionals and other student SWE members and meet with other high-ranking women in the workforce. This was the best!”

Kettering is active in SWE throughout the year. Betsy Homsher, vice president for Student Life and dean of students, is on the SWE editorial board. Kettering’s A-section SWE group puts on a SWE Expo, sponsored by Chrysler, for high school girls every winter. Kettering’s B-section SWE group hosted an event called ‘IF WE,’ sponsored by ExxonMobile, for middle school students this year.