Faculty and Staff

Dr. Petros "Pete" Gheresus, professor of Industrial Engineering

Ph.D from Iowa State University, with expertise in various computer programming languages, engineering economy, manufacturing processes, and controls using ladder logic programming and ControlLogix hardware and Access Database.

Gheresus feels that Kettering students "mature earlier than other students because they are immediately afforded the opportunity to work with varied types of individuals through cooperative education, which cannot be taught in any academic setting." He says that Kettering students have the theory and also they know how to apply it.

Gheresus was first attracted to teaching at Kettering by the unique blend of academia and industry, truly the best of both worlds. He enjoys teaching students of varying abilities and learns from them because "many are able to bring back to the class the experiences or tools that they have used at their place of employment."

In preparation for one of his exams, Gheresus made a copy of the exam that had half of the answers on it. He forgot to erase the answers from those questions and didn't have the time to make new copies or make up another exam by the time he discovered it. Of course word got out and spread like wildfire. Gheresus was so embarrassed that he stayed away from campus for three weeks.

Hidden talents and outside interests: In keeping with his well-rounded background, Gheresus' extracurricular activities are diverse. He enjoys playing racquetball, exercise, reading, spending time with family and friends, and working with Kettering's pre-college students, who often ask questions no one has asked before.

C programming language

Dr. Lucy King, professor of Industrial Manufacturing Engineering

Ph.D. in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of California-Berkeley with expertise in robotics, computer integrated manufacturing and medical robotic applications.

King has taught at Kettering for more than 16 years and describes Kettering students as mature, due in large part to their professional cooperative education work assignments during their academic terms. This, she says, is primarily a result of applying theory learned in the classroom to their co-op position immediately.

One of the best things she finds about teaching at Kettering is the satisfaction in observing students functioning as coherent teams to design, plan, procure material and produce components or parts with high quality using LEAN principles.

She came to Kettering because of the cooperative education system. The integration of course work with professional cooperative education work assignments at one of Kettering's 600 corporate partners makes the University's brand of education unique and attractive.

Hot tip for prospective students: King says, "If you enjoy getting your hands wet and getting things done, come to Kettering for the love of this kind of fun!"

Hidden talents and outside interests: King plays the piano and organ, sings with her church choir, attends and organizes cultural events and enjoys speaking with high school students about achievements of engineers and how they can improve the quality of human life through engineering.

Robotics

Computer Integrated Manufacturing

Medical robotic applications

Dr. Terri Lynch-Caris, Ph.D., P.E., Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering
Director for the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in Industrial and Operations Engineering

Lynch-Caris feels Kettering students mature quickly due to the cooperative education experience where they learn to develop real-world solutions by utilizing concepts learned in the classroom. She sees that synergistic learning process go both ways when students bring their work experiences back to the classroom enhancing dialog on concepts in the textbooks.

Not all work and no play, Lynch-Caris is not above having a good laugh now and then - even when it is at her expense. During a serious Robots Honor Society ceremony students shared an '80s-era photo of her, complete with '80s-style hair, which lightened the mood and gave everyone a good laugh.

She recommends prospective students make an effort to gain leadership experience prior to coming to Kettering to help them understand the adult world better.

Hidden talents and outside interests: Juggling a demanding work schedule and three active sons. Amazingly, she finds time to ski on water and snow, go boating and sometimes even read a good book.

Ergonomics
Industrial Ecology
Statistics
Work Design