Michael M. Wood, who is originally from Flint and is the former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden, will offer the Commencement address when Kettering University hosts graduation ceremonies at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 13.  The event is open to the public in the Connie and Jim John Recreation Center.

Kettering will graduate 198 undergraduate and 97 master’s candidates during graduation services.  About 180 undergraduates and 55 graduate students are expected to march at the ceremonies.  University President Stan Liberty will preside and Dr. Henry Kowalski, professor of Mechanical Engineering, will be the grand marshal.  Undergraduate student speaker will be Tyler Finnegan of Elyria, Ohio, who will earn a bachelor’s degree in Management. 

Here are the highlights of the upcoming ceremony:

Saturday, June 13, 2009, 11 a.m.
Connie and Jim John Recreation Center 
No tickets required to attend Commencement 
The event is free and open to the public
Allow 1 1/2 hours for the ceremony 
Presiding: Kettering University President Stan Liberty
Parking is free and available in all campus parking lots 
Information center will be located on the 1st floor of the CC (outside BJ's Lounge, behind the elevators) from 8:30 - 10:45 a.m.
There is no graduation rehearsal
Total graduates: 198 undergraduates, 97 master’s candidates 
Graduates expecting to march: 180 undergraduates, 55 graduate 
Expected number of guests: 1,600 
Faculty will host a light breakfast in the International Room, Fifth Floor of the Campus Center, 8:30-10 a.m. 
Recreation Center doors open at 9 a.m. for visitors to arrive and be seated 
Faculty and staff members assemble for the Processional between 10-10:55 a.m. in the Third Floor, Recreation Center 
Graduates assemble on the first floor of the Campus Center (just outside BJ's Lounge) between 10:30-10:55 a.m.  
Formal processional begins at 11 a.m.

HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT: 1
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
Michael M. Wood
Former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden
Chair, Redwood Investments, LLC 

Michael M. Wood is a son of Flint.  He grew up in the area and attended Flint’s Whittier Middle School.  After graduating from Yale University, he helped found the leading media company for the housing and construction industry.  His national service included organizing a housing industry round table in 1984 for U.S. President Ronald Reagan and representing the United States during the presidential inauguration in Ecuador in 2003.  In 2006, Mr. Wood was sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to Sweden.  

Ambassador Wood was very helpful in developing the international collaboration between Kettering, Linkoping University in Sweden and others that is currently creating a waste-to-energy bio-methane center at Flint's wastewater treatment facility. Mr. Wood was also instrumental in hosting the royal visit of His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, to campus on Sept. 26 last year.  Kettering will award Mr. Wood an honorary doctor of Humane Letters.  Read his bio (http://www.kettering.edu/visitors/storydetail.jsp?storynum=2882) and more about the “Crowning event” that brought a king to Kettering’s campus (http://www.kettering.edu/visitors/storydetail.jsp?storynum=2805). 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SPEAKER: 1

Tyler Finnegan of Elyria, Ohio, is the undergraduate student speaker and will offer comments on “Resilience and Revolution” to his graduating class.  He will receive a bachelor’s degree in Management.  His co-op was at Delphi Corporation.  He is a 2005 graduate of Elyria Catholic High School in Ohio.     

A student leader and outspoken advocate for cooperative education, he has often represented Kettering in the media, including being interviewed by the New York Times for a national news story on the University.  At Kettering, Finnegan has been involved in Robot Leadership Honor Society, he was president of the Professional Leadership Honor Society, director of KSG Academic Council, a team leader for Student Ambassadors, an RA in Thompson Hall, an active employee at the Recreation Center, a regular contributor to the SuccessZone incoming student portal as the StickMan, College DECA, and a volunteer in the Flint community as part of Junior Achievement and Michigan High School DECA.  He also has served on numerous committees including the Friends of the Library and Archives, Commencement Committee and the WAG-GPA Task Force.   

He has accepted a full-time job at Guardian Industries and will join its leadership development program in Geneva, N.Y. 

OUTSTANDING THESIS AWARD: 1
The Outstanding Thesis Award winner for Spring 2009 goes to Brian L. Dorney of Holly, Mich. He is an Applied Physics major, whose co-op was at Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, Ill.  His thesis is "Hydrogen Storage by Adsorption in Polymer Materials.” His faculty adviser is Dr. Yuri Sikorski of Physics.  Dorney will be among those feted during the Commencement Honors Breakfast on June 13. 

PRESIDENT'S MEDAL WINNERS: 4
Willy Joseph, Freeport, Bahamas
Kelly Lynn Okapal, Sylvania, Ohio
Scott Michael Skelton, Belleville, Mich.
Abdrahamane Traore, Bamako, Mali, Africa

SOBEY SCHOLARS: 6
Willy Joseph, Freeport, Bahamas
Kelly Lynn Okapal, Sylvania, Ohio
Jarrad Pouncil, Flint, Mich.
Tracy Schmitz, Shelby Township, Mich.
Abdrahamane Traore, Bamako, Mali, Africa
Angela Tremble, Detroit, Mich. 

ACADEMIC HONORS:
Summa Cum Laude (97.0-100): 9
Magna Cum Laude (94.5-96.9):  18
Cum Laude (92-94.4): 28 

TOTAL GRADUATES, BY DEGREE:
Bachelor's Degrees
Applied Mathematics: 1
Applied Physics: 1
Biochemistry: 1
Business Administration: 4
Chemistry: 2
Computer Engineering:11
Computer Science: 2
Electrical Engineering: 31
Industrial Engineering: 20
Management: 4
Mechanical Engineering: 115
Dual Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics: 1
Dual Mechanical Engineering and Applied Physics: 2
Dual Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering: 2
Dual Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering: 1
BACHELOR'S TOTAL = 198

Master's Degrees
Engineering: 23
Engineering Management: 6
Information Technology: 5
Manufacturing Management: 8
Manufacturing Operations: 38
MBA: 9
Operations Management: 6
Dual Engineering Management and MBA: 1
Dual Operations Management and Manufacturing Management: 1
MASTER'S TOTAL = 97

FOR MORE ON COMMENCEMENT, visit:
http://www.kettering.edu/registrar/commencement_information.jsp  

HOTELS/RESTAURANTS: Contact the Flint Area Convention and Visitors Bureau: 1-800-24-FLINT or (810) 232-2211.

CAN WE HELP? 1-800-955-4464, ext. 9585, or 810-762-9585. 

Written by Patricia Mroczek
810.762.9533
pmroczek@kettering.edu

The field of Chemical Engineering will play a central role in solving the major problems confronting the U.S. economy. Energy, health care, the state of the environment, and the emergence of nanotechnology are all heavily influenced by chemical engineering. According to the NACE Job Outlook (2005), Chemical Engineering is one of the top ten in-demand-degrees. 

Originally spearheaded by Dr. Diana Phillips, associate professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry, plans for the Chemical Engineering program were enthusiastically received by Dr. Michael Harris, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs during his first year at Kettering.

“I knew when I first interviewed at Kettering that I wanted to build a Chemical Engineering program here,” said Harris. I was pleased to be able to work with Dr. Phillips to develop and create this program,” he said.

The Chemical Engineering (CHME) program fits well with the existing strengths of the University and enables the institution to look to the future, Harris added. A key component of that future is Kettering’s role in the Swedish Biogas project to produce alternative energy from waste removed from the city of Flint’s wastewater treatment plant.  Flint has been identified by the state as the new Center of Energy Excellence in Michigan.

Kettering will collaborate with Linköping University in Sweden, working toward adapting municipal vehicles so they can utilize the bio-methane as fuel. Students in the CHME program will have research and employment opportunities through the Swedish Biogas project.

“It is our belief that the chemical engineers educated at Kettering University will make important contributions to finding more affordable sources of energy, decreasing pharmaceutical costs, reducing the environmental impact of human activities and revitalizing the U.S. manufacturing sector,” said Dr. Stacy Seeley, head of the Chemistry/Biochemistry Department and Pre-Med coordinator.

“With a Chemical Engineering degree one can work in most Engineering disciplines,” said Dr. Homayun Navaz, coordinator for the CHME degree program and professor of Mechanical Engineering at Kettering University. Since implementation July 1, 2008, the program has enrolled 16 students.

Kettering’s Chemical Engineering degree is an interdisciplinary program. With the exception of six new courses, the curriculum was constructed from courses and laboratories currently offered at the University. The 161 credit-hour curriculum satisfies Chemical Engineering ABET requirements.

“We tried to make it as interdisciplinary as possible,” said Navaz. Faculty from both the Chemistry/Biochemistry and Mechanical Engineering departments will teach the Chemical Engineering courses. Navaz is working with Seeley to manage the program through the Chemistry/Biochemistry department, which is responsible for oversight of Chemical Engineering at Kettering.

In developing the curriculum Kettering was able to utilize many classes currently offered at the University. Only six classes had to be developed “from scratch” for the program.

To set the Kettering program apart from other CHME programs, the curriculum includes a “Plant Design to Energy Technology” course to introduce sustainable and fossil fuel energy, explore the components that go into plant design and generating energy and to familiarize students with environmental codes and laws. “The plan is to invite industry and governmental leaders to guest lecture,” said Navaz.

To help prepare them for the challenges they will face after graduation, the senior design project of the Chemical Engineering program will likely involve having students design an industrial plant, including processes and physical plant from the ground up.

Future plans include potentially introducing nuclear engineering courses to expand the program and to enable students to work in areas that address the current energy situation.

“A program like this is a natural fit for the Kettering paradigm,” said Dr. Diana Phillips, associate professor of Chemistry. “It is a fast growing discipline especially in petrochemicals, distillation columns and refineries and pharmaceuticals,” she added.

By definition, Chemical Engineering is the application of a physical science, such as chemistry or physics, combined with mathematics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. It primarily involves the design and maintenance of chemical processes for large-scale manufacture.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics web site, chemical engineers work in a variety of manufacturing industries other than chemical manufacturing, such as those producing energy, electronics, food, clothing, paper, health care, biotechnology, and business services. Some may specialize in a particular chemical process, such as oxidation or polymerization, or in a particular field, such as nano-materials. They must be aware of all aspects of chemicals manufacturing and how the manufacturing process affects the environment and the safety of workers and consumers

“With new programs such as the Chemical Engineering program, Kettering is building on its strengths to expand and enhance our students’ educational opportunities,” said Harris. “It is part of our institutional commitment to be intentional and to provide programs that are relevant and current,” he added.

A multi-disciplinary team of faculty worked on developing the Chemical Engineering program including:

Dr. Diana Phillips, associate profess or Chemistry/Biochemistry;

Dr. Homayun Navaz, professor of Mechanical Engineering;

Dr. Dave Benson , assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering;

Dr. Gianfranco DiGiuseppe, assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering;

Dr. Carl Aronson, associate professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry;

Dr. Mark Palmer, associate professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering;

Dr. Petros Gheresus, professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering;

Dr. Michael Harris, provost;

Dr. Tim Cameron, associate department head of Mechanical Engineering;

Lucy King, professor Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering;

Dr. Bahram Roughani, department head for Physics;

Dr. Joel Berry, department head for Mechanical Engineering.

For more information about the field of Chemical Engineering, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics web site at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm, or the American Institute of Chemical Engineers web site at http://www.aiche.org/.

For more information about Kettering’s Chemical Engineering program, contact Dr. Homayun Navaz at hnavaz@ketteirng.edu.

Written by Dawn Hibbard

810.762.9865

dhibbard@kettering.edu

Olympic athletes are not stupid. Obsessed with their craft, perhaps. Addicted to training, of course. But oblivious to the environment in which they are to perform, no.

Given the lack of scientific evidence regarding pollution and its impact on athletes, one sniff of the Beijing air suggested to many of these well-trained contenders all they needed to know about the environment: dangerous. Heck, in January of this year—more than seven months before the games—researchers from the Human Performance Laboratory at Marywood University in Scranton, Penn., studied the impact of athletic performance in low and high pollution scenarios, which prompted one of the study’s key authors, Kenneth Rundell, to conclude, “It might be best to show up the minute you’re going to start running.”

And what about paper and industrial waste in such a vast, over-populated country? Although specific data is currently unavailable, the years preceding these games saw Beijing work incredibly hard to create additional recycling plants to manage paper and industrial waste. For example, in 2006, the city composted 270,000 tons of waste and recycled more than 1.43 million tons in new facilities. These figures represent a 30.6 percent increase in resource re-utilization, according to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP, “Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: An Environmental Review,” http://unep.org)

Unfortunately, Beijing skies still appear bleary and product waste continues to accumulate, which causes many Olympic viewers to ask a rhetorical question: is it possible to completely eliminate waste? 

The short answer is no. Elimination requires a complete end to the use of current products, which is difficult, if not impossible, for industrialized nations to achieve. But for Kettering University faculty and students involved in the Kettering Industrial Ecology Team (KIET), there is a chance to limit the future impact of common products in the waste stream through careful upfront design practices.  

KIET is a multidisciplinary group of researchers and industry professionals who study environmental issues in product design and manufacturing. Dr. Terri Lynch-Caris, an associate professor of Industrial Engineering, serves as the principal investigator for the group. In 2005, KIET won a three-year, $100,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSAF, grant no. 0511322) to establish an organization and course that educates students about environmental awareness during the product development process.

The course—IME-540: Environmentally Conscious Design and Manufacturing—emulates Ford Motor Company’s Partnership for Advanced Studies (PAS) Program titled “Closing the Environmental Loop”—assists students in learning how industry is changing in response to increased environmental problems. This effort has spurred an increasing amount of interest among students and faculty about how to better engineer products that consider the environment, and has generated movements to recycle on campus.

Caris explained that the unique lesson students learn in IME-540 is that products can undergo redesign to “reduce their overall impact on the environment.” In Beijing, this idea is best represented by the use of plastic-wood composite materials from recycled wood and plastic waste for such things as park benches, building facades and window shutters in the Olympic village. Most importantly, this composite material is a good substitute for wood and reduces timber usage, according to the UNEP.

To further stress the needs of green engineering in product development, faculty members of KIET have presented papers at many conferences on their work since 2005, the most recent of which took place June 22 at the American Society for Engineering Education in Pittsburgh. More than 15 scholars and educators attended the workshop and received a CD of course materials to help in developing similar programs at other institutions. This CD is part of KIET’s attempt to disseminate the group’s work to a larger audience.

As part of the workshop, KIET member Dr. Craig Hoff, professor of Mechanical Engineering, used unique pedagogy to conduct a lifecycle analysis of a flashlight. His analysis focused on the raw materials used to make the flashlight, methods employed to extract the raw materials, the stages of manufacturing required to complete the flashlight assembly and the end of life disposition of the item. What they found is that the battery presents the most challenging environmental concern.

According to Caris, students enjoyed this workshop based on the learning assessment and formative review conducted after it was over. Many attendees were also impressed by the workshop and CD course materials, and intend to use some of these materials in their classes at other universities.

For the past two summers, KIET also engaged in Kettering’s Lives Improve Through Engineering (LITE) program, which brings high school-aged girls to campus during the summer for a two-week college experience of classes, laboratory experiments and other activities. This year, KIET provided a condensed program of the six modules used in IME 540 and allowed students to choose a common product for redesign. The goal was to demonstrate that engineering design decisions play a role in a sustainable society.

In 2008, the group achieved a number of other successes. For example, the student-run Green Engineering Organization (GEO)—an organization developed out of this grant and overseen by Assistant Professor of Chemistry Jennifer Aurandt—helps increase student participation and awareness in green issues. Recently, the group expanded its recycling program on campus by increasing the number of student and faculty volunteers, and by providing more recycling bins in classes.

Currently, all faculty office suites and academic departments may choose to participate in this initiative. “The students work continuously on ways to help make campus and the surrounding area more environmentally friendly through activities and guest speakers,” Caris said, adding that GEO members tend to be the leaders from across campus.

GEO also won a 2008 grant from Coca-Cola and the National Recycling Coalition to institute a pop can bin recycling program. This experience also spurred Aurandt’s interest in green chemistry and she, along with Dr. Rabago-Smith of Kettering’s Chemistry Dept., received a grant from the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ, http://www.michigan.gov/deq) to develop and teach Industrial Green Organic Chemistry this coming winter and spring 2009.

Kettering University Provost Michael Harris emphasized that the effort put forth by KIET and GEO is “a valuable lesson on how to mobilize a multidisciplinary approach, a theoretical foundation and the needs of industry to bring about an innovative approach that addresses environmental sustainability concerns and industrial productivity, effectiveness and efficiency.” 

As the final year of funding ends in September, KIET members plan on submitting another proposal to the NSF for funding that would cover 2009-2012. The group also expects to offer IME 540 online, which would increase the number of students who can take the course. In August, Caris, along with fellow KIET member Jennifer Aurandt, presented results of the three-year effort to the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Attendees commented that the Kettering group was able to achieve significant results in a short amount of time and under a tight budget. Furthermore, the poster session titled “Developing a Course in Environmentally Conscious Design and Manufacturing (http://green.kettering.edu)” earned applause and prompted opportunities to collaborate with other universities.

But perhaps the most noteworthy attribute of this project to Caris is the opportunity to collaborate with faculty from many different disciplines on a project that ultimately could help scores of future engineers strongly consider the impact of their engineering work on the environment.

“This collaboration really shows that it takes a multi-discipline approach to convey the importance of environmentally conscious design. Environmental solutions do not exist within just one department; the solutions come from the collaboration of ideas between different disciplines,” she said.   

To learn more about KIET, contact Dr. Terri Lynch-Caris at (810) 762-9859, by email at tlynch@kettering.edu or visit http://green.kettering.edu/.

Written by Gary J. Erwin

810.762.9538

gerwin@kettering.edu

Kettering University honored seven faculty members for outstanding teaching, research and citizenship during the institution’s University Conference for employees in September. Provost Dr. Michael Harris congratulated the recipients and thanked members of the committee that made the recommendations to him. He indicated this is the first time that faculty recognitions have been based on recommendations submitted by a faculty committee. “Recognizing faculty for outstanding teaching, research and citizenship is a reflection of the entire faculty's commitment to academic excellence," said Harris.

The seven honorees were:

Dr. Ilya Kudish, professor of Mathematics, who received the 2008 Rodes Professorship, for his project entitled, “Design of stable numerical methods for elastohydrodynamic lubrication.”  The Rodes Professorship honors Kettering faculty for breadth and depth of knowledge, commitment to diligence in terms of academic research, and leadership in developing and applying an area of knowledge, among other attributes.

The award includes a grant of $5,000 to provide the recipient with opportunity for continued professional development and a chance to disseminate the results of their research to Kettering students, alumni, University clubs, industrial groups and other colleges and universities.

Dr. Petros Gheresus, professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, who received the 2008 Faculty Distinguished Citizenship Award. This award is conferred upon a faculty member who serves the University through sustained engagement in activities such as leadership in departmental or university committees, participation in activities that contribute to the strategic mission of the university, activities that contribute to the recruitment, retention, and satisfaction of Kettering students, and performance in leadership positions in local, regional, state, national, and/or international professional organizations.

Three faculty won the 2008 Outstanding Teaching Awards:

Dr. Yuri Sikorski, assistant professor of Physics;

Dr. Stacy Seeley, interim head of Chemistry/Biochemistry and Pre-Med coordinator; and

Dr. Bassem Ramadan, professor of Mechanical Engineering.

The Outstanding Teaching Award honors faculty who have demonstrated outstanding teaching and support for students.

Dr. Peter Stanchev, professor of Computer Science, received the 2008 Outstanding Researcher Award for his substantial contributions to the area of medical imaging and multimedia systems recognized throughout the world.

Dr. Gianfranco DiGuiseppe, assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering, received the 2008 Outstanding New Researcher Award for his work in fuel cell research.

Dr. Ilya Kudish was also honored with the 2008 Distinguished Researcher Award for his contributions to the science of tribology and contact mechanics that are recognized worldwide.

Kettering’s Section A freshman class will have almost 260 fresh faces in it!  They will be joined by the second half of the freshman class (Section B) in October – welcome!

Many of the incoming freshmen are the finest students of their high schools from around the country.  There are at least nine valedictorians and three salutatorians in the entering class.  Kettering’s new freshmen arrive on campus a few weeks after a campaign visit by Sen. Barack Obama (see coverage at: http://www.kettering.edu/visitors/storydetail.jsp?storynum=2770.)  Entering students are also being greeted by several new academic programs, including a Pre-med course of study (http://www.kettering.edu/visitors/storydetail.jsp?storynum=2754) and a new BBA (http://www.kettering.edu/visitors/storydetail.jsp?storynum=2746).

Freshman Class at a Glance:

Section A freshmen: 259 students

Male: 210; Female: 49

Gender: 81% male; 19% female

African American: 15 (6%)

Hispanic: 9 (3%)

Michigan residents: 66%

Midwest residents: 82%

Number of states represented: 26

There are more women in the freshmen class than there has been in a number of years. Of the 259 freshmen, 49 are female (or 19 percent of Section A). That’s up from 13 percent a year ago.

More than 66 percent of new freshmen are from Michigan and 82 percent are from the Midwestern states.  Other states represented include seven students from New York, six from Texas, four from Florida, three from California, and two each from Alabama, Colorado and Kansas.  In all, 26 states are represented with students also coming from Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, Oregon, South Carolina and Utah.

Physical Facility Upgrades

A number of updates and renovations will greet the new class and returning students:

• Kettering’s International Office will soon be located in the Academic Building, near rooms 1-817 and 1-819 in the southwest hallway.  International director Luchen Li and student coordinator Heidi Schmoll will relocate from the Campus Center to their new offices soon.
• A new tiered crash sled classroom is now available in the Mott Center, dedicated to general classroom space and geared to the scientific research being done in Kettering’s crash safety lab.  New electronics will transfer data collected during crash sled runs in the nearby laboratory on to laptops in the new classroom, increasing research options for students at Kettering.
• The general computer laboratories in 3-501 and 3-503 Academic Building have been updated with new carpeting and technology.  The popular spaces are available for individual and group study sessions for students, and other uses.
• There is new carpeting in a number of classrooms of the Academic Building.
• The gymnasium floor has been resurfaced at the Recreation Center, plus the Prox Card system is now available at recreation facility.
• The stairwell in Thompson Hall’s south middle section was renovated and freshened up with new paint and a new floor.
• Some recent aesthetic changes on campus include the refurbishing of flower beds in the front of the Campus Center and Academic Building.  About a dozen volunteers turned out for the recent “spring clean up and flower day” on campus.  They worked side-by-side with physical facilities employees to clean up several flowerbeds and help plant colorful flowers around the main entrances of Kettering’s biggest buildings.
• Parking Lot 3, behind Thompson Hall, has been resealed and restriped with fresh paint.
• There’s a new curbcut at the Academic Building for easier access.   

The new academic year begins with two special events – Orientation and the first day of school.  Orientation is Thursday, July 10 – Sunday, July 15.  Classes begin Monday, July 16.

MEET SOME OF THE NEW FACES …

FIRST WITH FIRST:  About one of five students now coming to Kettering have had experiences in FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.  The international robotics contest for high school students was designed almost 20 years ago to showcase career options in Science, Math and Engineering.  Kettering has been actively involved for about a decade.  Kettering awarded 10 $22,500 scholarships (for 4 ½ years of study) to these 2008 FIRST Scholars:

• Andrew Breed, Tech Fusion (Team 279) of Toledo, Ohio;
• Jonathan Bushkuhl, the Rat Pack (Team 830) of Ann Arbor, Mich.;
• Bryan Coburn, the Dragons (Team 1243) of Swartz Creek, Mich.;
• William Hancock, Mech Warriors (Team 573) of Ortonville, Mich.; 
• John Lawniczak, GRR (Team 340) of Rochester, N.Y.;
• Nathan LeBlanc, PhyXTGears (Team 1720) of Muncie, Ind.;
• Ryan Masica, the Enginerds (Team 2337) of Grand Blanc, Mich.;
• Troy Russell, the GRAYT Leviathons (Team 1322) of Holly, Mich.;
• Steven Zimnie, the Hammerheads (Team 226) of Troy, Mich.
• Michael Pogue, The Gearheads (Team 1189) of Grosse Pointe, Mich.

Clean water is one of Michigan’s most precious natural resources and one freshman was among 30 Breckenridge High School students doing their part to make sure it stays that way.  Matt Myers conducted water quality tests at three locations in Gratiot and Midland counties under the direction of Chemistry Teacher Malena Marr. The students were part of a program organized by the American Chemical Society in Midland.   "It sounded like it would be a lot of fun," he said. "I wanted to learn stuff about the environment."  

Kristen Rose Bartkowiak, an honors student at Howell High School, was active in the Lansing Junior Symphony/Mid-Michigan Youth Symphony. She played on the tennis team, was the programmer for the school's robotics team and was a member of the National Honor Society. She tutored middle school and high school students and helped with various community organizations.  She plans to study Computer Science.

An honors student and Eagle Scout at Fowerlerville High School in Michigan, Jared Sanders earned three academic letters and also lettered in band. He belonged to the National Honor Society, Boy Scouts and Sanchin-RYU Karate.  He is interested in Science.

Keishawna M. Baker of Belleville High School is an honors student who has been involved in the National Honor Society since tenth grade. She was active in the Interact Club, earned Student of the Month honors and is listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students. She has been listed on the National Honor Roll and will study Computer Engineering.

Jacob Hassold, who is the son of Kettering Faculty Moderator Greg Hassold, a professor of Applied Physics, is joining the campus in Section A.  He has worked on the set crew for the University of Michigan’s Gilbert & Sullivan Society and was an honors student at Flushing High School.  Jacob has studied the violin for 14 years and was awarded the 2008 Flushing High School Outstanding String Player.  In his spare time, he enjoys fencing lessons.  He plans to study Industrial Engineering, with a particular interest in robotics.

Other Kettering community members sending children to campus are Dr. Laura Sullivan of Mechanical Engineering, whose son Andrew Sullivan, a graduate of Grand Blanc High School, is joining the campus.  And former employee Tammy Loud’s son, Andrew, is coming to study Industrial Engineering and Computer Engineering.

James Alan Beattie, an honors student at Whitmore High School was a member of the regional All-Star Quiz Bowl team. He played football and was a member of the National Honor Society.  He will study Mechanical Engineering.  Also planning to study Mechanical Engineering is Ronald Smith of Vermontville, an honors student at Maple Valley High School in the Lansing area.  He was active in wrestling and loves motorcycles.  And Justin Swartz, an honors student at St. John’s High School is also from the Lansing area.  He was active in the school’s industrial co-op program and he will also study Mechanical Engineering.

So welcome Class of 2013.  Have a good year and start saving your pennies on behalf of the Food Bank of East Michigan.  Kettering hopes to donate lots and lots of pennies toward the food bank’s $75,000 goal and fill the Penny Garden constructed by the Kettering realSERVICE design team of Erin Torchala of Macomb, Jeff Nolen of Dewitt, and Kennet Magnus of Clarkston, assisted by Professor Massoud Tavakoli of Mechanical Engineering, who have already kicked off the new academic year in the Kettering way!! 

Written by Patricia Mroczek
810.762.9533
pmroczek@kettering.edu

Commencement is June 14

Innovation and technology will be the theme for Kettering University’s Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, June 14, in the Connie and Jim John Recreation Center.

Kettering President Stan Liberty will preside at the 11 a.m. graduation services for 315 graduates (238 undergrads and 77 master’s candidates).  The grand marshal will once again be Dr. Henry Kowalski, professor of Mechanical Engineering. 

Two technology innovators, who helped propel their industries to new heights, will receive honorary degrees.  They are: Dr. Curtis R. Carlson, president and chief executive officer of SRI International, and the late David W. Hermance, a 1970 graduate of Kettering/GMI, who has been called “the ambassador for green cars” and “a giant in advanced vehicle technologies.”

Two graduates of Kettering’s Academically Interested Minorities program (AIM) are the undergraduate student speakers.  They are Gadryn Higgs and Stephanie Thach.  Higgs is from Freeport, Bahamas, and will receive a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Thach is from Flint and will receive a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering. 

James Bendert of San Diego, Calif., will receive the Outstanding Thesis Award and a bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics.  His co-op was at Argonne National Labs in Argonne, Ill.  Bendert's thesis title is: "Diagnostics of PEM Fuel Cell Electrolytes by Raman Spectroscopy and AC Impedance Spectroscopy". It covers diagnostic study of cation impurities in PEM fuel cell electrolytes by Raman spectroscopy and AC impedance spectroscopy both in the pure membrane form and within the electrode. He was nominated by his faculty adviser Dr. Bahram Roughani, interim department head of Physics.

Here are the highlights of the upcoming ceremony:

Saturday, June 14, 2008, 11 a.m. 

• Connie and Jim John Recreation Center 
• No tickets required to attend Commencement 
• Allow 1 1/2 hours for the ceremony 
• Presiding: Kettering University President Stan Liberty
• Grand Marshal: Dr. Henry Kowalski of Mechanical Engineering
• Parking is free and available in all campus parking lots 
• Information center will be on the first floor of the Campus Center (behind the elevators), outside BJ's Lounge, from 8:30 - 11 a.m. 
• There is no graduation rehearsal
• Total graduates: 238 undergraduates, 77 master’s candidates 
• Graduates expecting to march: 144 undergraduates, 30 graduate 
• Expected number of guests: 1,600 
• Faculty will host a light breakfast in the International Room, Fifth Floor of the Campus Center, 8:30-10 a.m. 
• Recreation Center doors open at 9 a.m. for visitors to arrive and be seated 
• Faculty and staff members assemble for the Processional between 10-10:55 a.m. in the Third Floor, Recreation Center 
• Graduates assemble on the first floor of the Campus Center (just outside BJ's Lounge) between 10:30-10:55 a.m.  
• Formal processional begins at 11 a.m.

HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS: 2
Dr. Curtis R. Carlson

HONORARY DOCTOR OF SCIENCE
President and Chief Executive Officer
SRI International
Menlo Park, California 

Carlson will present the Commencement address.  He helped start and lead the high-definition television (HDTV) program that became the U.S. standard and won an Emmy Award for outstanding technical achievement.  Another team started and led by Carlson won an Emmy in 2000 for a system that measures broadcast image quality.  See his entire bio at: http://www.kettering.edu/visitors/storydetail.jsp?storynum=2765

David W. Hermance ’70

HONORARY DOCTOR OF ENGINEERING (Posthumous Award)
Executive Engineer for Advanced Technology Vehicles
Toyota Technical Center, USA
Gardena, California

Hermance has been called “the point man for an entire technology – the gasoline-electric hybrid.”  He died in November 2006 when his single-engine stunt plane crashed into the ocean near Los Angeles.  Hermance’s wife, Mary, and family members will accept a posthumous award.  See his entire bio at: http://www.kettering.edu/visitors/storydetail.jsp?storynum=2766.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SPEAKERS:  2
Gadryn Higgs of Freeport, Bahamas (AIM graduate), Mechanical Engineering
Stephanie Thach of Flint (AIM graduate), Industrial Engineering

ACADEMIC HONORS:
Summa Cum Laude (97.0-100) - 6
Magna Cum Laude (94.5-96.9) - 12
Cum Laude (92-94.4) - 29

PRESIDENT’S MEDALISTS: 5
Gadryn Higgs, Freeport, Bahamas;
Ken Luiten, Tucson, Ariz.;
Kristin Rice, Albany, N.Y.;
Robert Riggs, Spring, Texas; and
Ryan Sullivan, Ada, Mich.

SOBEY SCHOLARS: 4
Gadryn Higgs of Freeport, Bahamas;
Kristin Rice of Albany, N.Y.;
Ryan Sullivan, Ada, Mich.; and Stephanie Welch of Clio, Mich. 

OUTSTANDING THESIS AWARD:  1
James Bendert of San Diego, Calif.  

TOTAL GRADUATES, BY DEGREE: 315
Undergraduate Degrees:
1          Applied Mathematics
4          Applied Physics
1          Biochemistry
2          Chemistry
5          Computer Engineering
4          Computer Science
35        Electrical Engineering
0          Engineering Physics
14        Industrial Engineering
14        Management
150      Mechanical Engineering
4          Dual (Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering)
2          Dual (Computer Science and Computer Engineering)
1          Dual (Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mathematics)
1          Dual (Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering)
238     TOTAL

Master’s Degrees:
9          MBA
5          Engineering Management
9          Engineering
1          Information Technology
5          Manufacturing Management
33        Manufacturing Operations
12        Operations Management
2          Dual (Operations Management and MBA)
1          Dual (Engineering Management and MBA)
77        TOTAL  

FOR MORE ON COMMENCEMENT, visit: http://www.kettering.edu/registrar/commencement_information.jsp

HOTELS/RESTAURANTS: Contact the Flint Area Convention and Visitors Bureau: 1-800-24-FLINT or (810) 232-2211.

CAN WE HELP? 1-800-955-4464, ext. 9585, or 810-762-9585.

Written by Patricia Mroczek
810.762.9533
pmroczek@kettering.edu

Dr. Stacy Seeley, associate professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry, has been named as the pre-med coordinator for Kettering University’s Premedical Education Course of Study. Seeley’s appointment begins in the Spring 2008 term. She will be the primary contact for students interested in pursuing the Premedical Education Course of Study. In addition to advising students, she will also build and maintain relationships with medical school programs nationwide.

“I believe that officially establishing this course of study and providing the appropriate resources will allow us to build on our past strengths and capitalize on the opportunities ahead,” said Dr. Michael Harris, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Our pre-med program positions us to become the premier pre-med program in the region. We are building on our heritage and strengths,” he said.

Students who complete this course of study will receive a bachelor of science in their respective degree program along with a minor in Biochemistry, preparing them for medical school, a job in the growing bio-technical industry or graduate school.

“This program is directly related to President Liberty’s vision of the university as a university of Engineering, Science, Technology and Management with a significant role in the social and economic well-being of this region,” added Harris.

According to Seeley, the idea of a pre-med program at Kettering started with the students. “Many of them asked Dr. Atkinson and me what courses they needed to take as preparation for medical school and the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test),” she said.

“At the time, Kettering did not offer Biology, which is essential to pre-med preparation, and we didn’t have the proper lab space for Biology,” Seeley said, adding that “a lecture-only Biology course is not pre-med ready.”  Seeley and Dr. Patrick Atkinson, professor of Mechanical Engineering, helped students plan their courses while also encouraging the university to consider a pre-med program.

According to Seeley and Atkinson, more than 900 Kettering alumni have gone on to medical school and 350 have gone to dental school.

“Two things ultimately enabled us to offer a pre-med course of study; the creation of the Biochemistry Department and the donation of the Dane and Mary Louise Miller Life Sciences and Bio-Engineering Laboratory facilities,” said Seeley.

The $1.2 million laboratories, made possible by a donation from the Millers, are multi-use spaces that can be used in tandem or separately by converting to surgery simulation suites complete with surgical scrub sinks where students perform simulated surgery. Both laboratories, comprising approximately 3,400 square feet, can be used for lecture or lab, with additional features including a cold room, storage area and a prep room to support laboratory functions.

“The Dane Miller gift was key in the development of this course of study because of the quality of the labs,” agreed Harris. “I believe that our pre-med program is one of the best in the country and we have exceptional faculty to deliver it,” he added.

In the fall of 2007 Harris established a cross-functional Pre-Med Development Committee (PDC) headed by Tony Hain, associate provost for graduate Studies and Continuing Education, to study the suitability of developing and implementing a pre-med course of study at Kettering. The Board of Trustees approved the pre-med course of study at its March 13, 2008, meeting.

In addition to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, the cooperative education experience at Kettering is viewed as giving students a competitive advantage getting accepted to medical school.

“What makes the Kettering program different is that the co-op experience gives Kettering students an opportunity to learn both in the classroom and in the real world, which translates into an added value that enables them to get into medical school,” said Atkinson.

“As medicine becomes increasingly technical, having a strong foundation in science with an understanding of engineering will make the difference,” added Atkinson.

For more information about the Kettering Premedical Course of Study, visit their web site (http://www.kettering.edu/futurestudents/undergraduate/premed.jsp).

Written by Dawn Hibbard
810.762.9865
dhibbard@kettering.edu

Kettering’s Green Engineering Organization (GEO) was chosen as one of 76 organizations out of more than 1,300 applicants to receive free pop can recycling bins from the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) and Coca-Cola to support recycling efforts on campus.

The pop can bins will be added to GEO’s existing paper recycling program on campus which consists of approximately 15 recycling collection points, according to Kristy Boskey, GEO president.  “Each semester new bins are added and shifted around to adjust to the needs of the campus,” Boskey said. “The bins are collected by the students participating in the GEO organization, which determines the number of bins we are able to support,” she added.

The new pop can bins are designed for both plastic and aluminum and will be placed in the library, the “hang out room,” in various labs and hallways in both the Academic Building and Mott Engineering and Science Center.

The response from students so far is this is a program that is missing from the campus community, according to Boskey. “We know that the cans shouldn't be thrown into the trash, but we don't have anywhere else to put them when we are on campus,” she said “this program will help to fill that need.”

GEO received one of 76 grants awarded to a diverse selection of applicants from 40 states, including 15 colleges and universities, 19 municipalities and other local government entities, 18 K-12 schools, 20 community-based non profit organizations and three Native American tribes.

Recipients were chosen by NRC based on a number of criteria, including where bins are likely to have the most impact on recovering beverage containers from the waste stream, ability of recipients to sustain their program in the future, and intention to support collection programs with recycling education and promotion. The Bin Grant was sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and is designed to promote and support community recycling in the U.S.

"The response to this grant program has been phenomenal. The extent and diversity of applications solidly demonstrates how citizens across the nation are addressing recycling on a community level," said Kate Krebs, executive director of the National Recycling Coalition. "It's a privilege for NRC to partner with Coca-Cola to provide recycling collection bins that will build, expand and strengthen recycling programs at school, work and play."

Kettering’s GEO group, an off-shoot of the Kettering Industrial Ecology Team (KIET), a multidisciplinary group of researchers and industry professionals who examine environmental issues in product design and manufacturing, has been growing each semester since it began two years ago. There are currently about 20 active members in B-section including faculty adviser Dr. Jennifer Aurandt, assistant professor of Bio-Chemistry and Chemistry.

GEO projects include the paper recycling program, a speaker series featuring experts from industry who share their company's involvement in green engineering, and involvement in the Flint “Cultivating the Community Project”, a collaborative effort to develop a planned and coordinated approach to beautify Genesee County and set higher standards for the visual landscape of the community.

GEO also provides technical input to the Flint Children's Museum Learning Lot project. For more information about GEO, our campus involvement, and how others can get involved, check out our website at http://green.kettering.edu/GEO.shtml.

The NRC is a national, non-profit advocacy group with members that span all aspects of waste reduction, reuse and recycling in North America. NRC's objective is to eliminate waste and promote sustainable economies though advancing sound management practices for raw materials in North America. NRC works with its members and partners to sponsor programs and stakeholder forums that provide tools and nurture solutions for the recycling industry. Breaking new ground in how Americans think about waste, the Coalition is a strong and clear voice for recycling. For more information about the NRC please visit http://www.nrc-recycle.org/.

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest non-alcoholic beverage company. Along with the Coca-Cola(R) trademark, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five nonalcoholic sparkling beverage brands, including the Diet Coke(R), Fanta(R) and Sprite(R) brands, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light beverages, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees, energy and sports drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1.4 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

Written by Dawn Hibbard
810.762.9865
dhibbard@kettering.edu

Ceremonies were conducted at Kettering's new Mechanical Engineering and Chemistry Building. The exterior of the building will feature silversmith and slate gray metal panels, streamlining the look of the 1940s block building into a modern engineering center.

"The renovation of this building is a significant step in helping our University build for a new century," said University President James E.A. John. "It serves as an important endorsement of Kettering's top-quality academic programs."

Kettering's new Mechanical Engineering and Chemistry Building is an existing building on campus, located southeast of the Campus Center. When renovation is complete, Kettering's new academic building will have three stories and approximately 126,000 gross square feet. The first classes offered in the new facility will be in July 2003. Architect for the project is Harley Ellis, Southfield, and Construction Manager is Barton Malow, Southfield. The new interior will sport contemporary colors of bianco sardo (off white), labradorite (cobalt blue) and cinnamon (brick red).

The building, which currently has 86,000 square feet on two levels, was built by General Motors Corp. in 1940 and is known as Building 35. Chevrolet Manufacturing used the facility as a customer delivery unit. Early prototype work on the Corvette was completed in the building, which was later used by AC Delco and then donated to the University by Delphi Automotive Systems in 1996.

A portion of the first floor is already in use, housing an automotive engine test cell, instrumentation and control equipment designed in collaboration with Lubrizol. The first floor is also home to an undergraduate automotive design center, where vehicles for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and other intercollegiate competitions are designed and fabricated. In the future, it will also house automotive laboratories.

The second floor will be the new home of Kettering's Mechanical Engineering Department, including laboratories and faculty and departmental offices. A third floor will be added to the structure for Chemistry classrooms, laboratories and faculty and departmental offices.

Mechanical Engineering will move into lab and classroom spaces that are more than 47,500 square feet, a 25 percent increase from its current facilities. The chemistry program will more than double its current space to 24,000 square feet. Automotive lab facilities will ultimately triple its current space to more than 32,000 square feet, when completed.

"At a time when many of our competitor schools in engineering and science are putting up new facilities, we will be able to compete with new laboratories in a building with a modern infrastructure," President John said. "All students at Kettering take chemistry; our new chemistry laboratories will be state-of-the-art and will be of great benefit."

President John noted that Kettering is a top producer of undergraduate mechanical engineers and the new laboratories are essential to maintain the University's competitive position. "Our new laboratories will enable us to compete for applied research contracts with our corporate partners and will add a new dimension to our University," he said.

This significant contribution will aid Kettering in doubling the number of area students who receive educational opportunities through the University's Chemistry in the Community initiatives, which include Kamp Kettering, 21st Century Woman and Chem Connection. In total, these programs currently reach more than 1,000 Genesee County area youth.

"We are extremely happy that the Bishop foundation supports our efforts and we look forward to hosting hands-on workshops to educate local students and teachers in applied chemistry," said Dr. Stacy Seeley, assistant professor of Chemistry. "Our workshops have been received with great enthusiasm by students and teachers. We look forward to expanding our activities."

A primary goal of the program is to engage a greater number of elementary and middle school teachers in using Kettering's state-of-the-art laboratories to bring science to life in their classrooms. In addition, Kettering hopes to inspire young students to pursue science studies.

Kettering faculty and laboratory technicians will conduct the Chemistry in the Community program using safe "green" materials, which include a number of common household items.

For more information on Kettering's Chemistry in the Community program, contact the Science and Mathematics Department at (810) 762-7912, or visit the Kettering web site at www.kettering.edu.