Two young women have been chosen Woman of the Year at Kettering University. Michelle Ross, a senior from Akron, Ohio, was chosen a Woman of the Year from A-Section and Courtney Holder, a senior from Waterloo, Ontario, was chosen Woman of the Year from B-Section. Both they and the four finalists were honored Wednesday, Aug. 17. (Kettering University has a split class with students rotating academic terms with co-op work terms. A and B Sections refer to which academic section students belong.)

The six outstanding young women were recognized for academic achievement, commitment to service and leadership. Finalists for the award included:
Marquita J. Adams, of Flint, Mich., A-Section
Tracy J. Huisinga, of Lake Orion, Mich., A-Section
Suzanne L. McLernon Kayser, of Flint, Mich., B-Section
Heather R. White, of Rochester Hills, Mich., B-Section

The Woman of the Year award at Kettering University recognizes senior female students who have made a difference during their college tenure. Academic achievement is only 20 percent of a rating system that includes service, dedication, mentoring, role modeling and leadership.

Nominees must be individuals recognized by students, faculty and staff as someone who "gets things done," and is involved in service on campus, at their place of employment and in their home communities.

First conceptualized by two students, Ann Marie Weitzel-Robinson '99 and Amanda Snyder-Simmons '98, the idea became a reality in 1997 at the first Woman of the Year Recognition banquet.

This year's top awardees embody all the qualities of the Woman of the Year Award.

Michelle A. Ross, A-Section Woman of the Year, is the daughter of Sam and Diane Ross of Akron Ohio. She is majoring in Industrial Engineering and her co-op employer is Luk USA LLC, Wooster, Ohio.

Ross is a member of Student Senate, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Alpha Phi Sorority, the Institute of Industrial Engineers and the Clara Elizabeth Davidson Women's Resource Center.

She is also the recipient of the following awards and scholarships:
Kettering Robots Society for academic and leadership achievement, Tau Beta Pi national academic excellence Engineering Society, Alpha Pi Mu national Industrial Engineering honor society, Phi Eta Sigma national freshman honor society, Kappa Mu Epsilon national mathematics honor society, order of Omega Greek leadership honor, Gamma Sigma Alpha, Academic Excellence Scholarship, Milford Barron Scholarship, Mary Walker Scholarship, Charles F. Kettering Scholarship, Hoemann Scholarship an the C.F. Harris Scholarship. Ross received the Dean's List Freshman of the Year award and Leaders Fellow and President's Award from Luk USA LLC.

Courtney E. Holder, B-Section Woman of the Year, is the daughter of Chris Holder of Waterloo, Ontario. She is majoring in Mechanical Engineering and her co-op employer is Delphi in Flint, Mich.

Holder is a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, the American Association of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Panhellenic Council, GMTE Players, and volunteers for the Canadian Cancer Society and Michigan Community Blood Centers.

She is also the recipient of the following awards and scholarships:
Pi Tau Sigma national Mechanical Engineering honor society, Phi Eta Sigma national freshman honor society, Kappa Mu Epsilon national mathematics honor society, Rho Lambda international Panhellenic Leadership recognition society, Tau Beta Pi national Engineering honor society, order of Omega Greek leadership honor, Alpha Sigma Alpha Scholarship and Outstanding New Member Alpha Sigma Alpha B-Chapter.

Written by DawnHibbard
810-762-9865
dhibbard@kettering.edu