Dr. Jim Huggins, an associate professor of Computer Science at Kettering University, recently joined with more than 10,000 university and high school teachers in the evaluation of more than 2.7 million Advanced Placement exams for the College Board.

Huggins evaluated computer science exams at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Other subjects read at this location included Italian and Spanish languages, Spanish Literature and Studio Art. In addition, the 2009 AP Reading of tests in different disciplines also took place at Colorado State University, the Daytona Beach Ocean Center, the Kentucky International Convention Center, the University of Nebraska—Lincoln and the Kansas City Convention Center.

Each year, the AP Program, sponsored by the College Board, gives more than one million capable high school students an opportunity to take college-level courses and examinations. Based on their exam performance, these students can earn credit or advanced placement when they enter college.

According to the AP, college professors and high school teachers evaluated exams from more than 37 AP courses. These professors and teachers represent some of the finest academic institutions in the world. In addition, these individuals represent some of the best high school and college educators in the U.S., Canada and abroad.

The AP Reading is a unique forum in which academic dialogue between secondary school and college educators is fostered and strongly encouraged.

“The reading draws upon the talents of some of the finest teachers and professors that the world has to offer,” explained Trevor Packer, vice president of the Advanced Placement Program at the College Board. “It fosters professionalism, allows for the exchange of ideas and strengthens the commitment to students and to teaching. We are very grateful for the contributions of talented educators like Jim Huggins,” he added.

This is Huggins fifth time serving as an evaluator for the AP Program. “Working at the AP reading is an annual highlight for me.  It is amazing to work together with a group of highly dedicated high school and college instructors, all of whom care passionately about teaching the next generation of computing professionals,” he said, adding “I look forward to this opportunity every year and am thrilled to be able to serve again as a reader this year.”

The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 5,400 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves seven million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT, and the Advanced Placement Program. The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns. To learn more about the AP Program sponsored by the College Board, visit http://www.collegeboard.com/about/index.html.

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

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 University’s bachelor of science degree program in Computer Science has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., the recognized accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology.  ABET accreditation demonstrates a program’s commitment to providing its students with a quality education.

“This is a momentous occasion for Computer Science and it is a testament to the exceptional quality of our curriculum, students and faculty,” said Dr. Michael Harris, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

John Geske, department head for Computer Science said, “ABET accreditation has been our goal since the inception of the Computer Science program, and it is gratifying to see that the support of the university administration and the hard work of the faculty and staff has resulted in such a positive outcome.”

He said that "the guiding philosophy has always been to give students strong theoretical foundation in Computer Science combined with a practical experience gained through co-operative learning experiences."

“The Computer Science Department prides itself on its adaptability, and recently developed new concentrations in Computer Gaming and System and Data Security,” Harris noted.

Kettering’s Computer Science program was founded in 1995. There are 249 accredited Computer Science programs nationwide, including the University of Illinois, University of Michigan, University of California-Berkley and MIT.  Only five other Computer Science programs are ABET accredited in Michigan, Geske added. 

Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-review process that requires programs to undergo comprehensive, periodic evaluations.  The evaluations, conducted by teams of volunteer professionals working in industry, government, academe, and private practice within the ABET disciplines, focus on program curricula, faculty, facilities, institutional support, and other important areas. 

ABET is a not-for-profit organization, owned and operated by its more than 25 professional and technical member societies.  An internationally respected organization with some 1,500 volunteers, ABET has set the higher-educational standards in its fields for nearly 75 years.  More information about ABET, its member societies, and the evaluation criteria used to accredit programs can be found at www.abet.org. 

Written by Patricia Mroczek and ABET sources

810.762.9533

pmroczek@kettering.edu

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

This is Huggins fourth experience as a reader. “It was a genuine pleasure to be a part of the AP-CS reading again this year,” he said, adding that the opportunity to work with more than 100 highly-talented and committed computer science instructors from across the nation “was thrilling.  The personal interactions that happen across the work table, over meals and while relaxing in the evenings are wonderful; I always come back with a couple of new ideas for my courses and this year was no exception.”

During the seven-day reading period, readers scored approximately 20,688 computer science exams. In addition, there were 156 readers from both high schools and colleges across the country who scored exams. Huggins also said that during the reading period, he scored more than 1,000 individual problems.

Each year the AP Program, sponsored by the College Board, gives more than one million capable high school students an opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses and examinations and, based on their exam performance, to receive credit and/or advanced placement when they enter college.

More than 10,000 readers from universities and high schools evaluated 2.8 million examinations in 22 disciplines. According to the College Board, readers represent many of the finest academic institutions in the world. The AP Reading is a unique forum in which academic dialogue between secondary school and college educators is fostered and strongly encouraged. 

"The Reading draws upon the talents of some of the finest teachers and professors that the world has to offer," said Trevor Packer, executive director of the Advanced Placement Program at the College Board. "It fosters professionalism, allows for the exchange of ideas, and strengthens the commitment to students and to teaching.  We are very grateful for the contributions of talented educators like Jim Huggins," Packer added.

To learn more about the College Board, visit www.collegeboard.com.

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

Steve Schwartz and Ben Talavera take their work and their music seriously --– not so much themselves. “People always have important sounding names with big titles to define them professionally,” said Schwartz of their tongue-in-cheek Alfa Jango titles. “We wanted to steer away from any sense of exaggerated importance,” he explained.

He and Talavera have launched Alfa Jango (http://www.alfajango.com/) in preparation for graduating from Kettering this June. “Ben always wanted a company with word ‘alfa’ in the name and I always wanted a company with the word jango in the name,” said Schwartz, hence the web, branding, marketing, infrastructure and information management company with the quirky name.

Quirky names are somewhat of a specialty with Schwartz, a Mechanical and Electrical Engineering major from Wilmington, N.C., who is also a founder of “Moment of Inertia,” which is an engineering term used to describe the rotational analog of mass, and co-founder of RateMyStudentRental.com, a website that allows students to rate the apartments, houses, even dorms where they stay during their terms on campus (www.ratemystudentrental.com).

“Moment of Inertia,” or MOI, is a popular party band at Kettering and they manage to keep up a healthy concert schedule locally when they are on campus. They are currently working on their second CD, recently recording some of the music on campus, and trying to launch an independent rock tour of southeastern Michigan called “Rock D-Town,” featuring local bands in local concert venues.

Juggling all this AND their last semester of college, Schwartz and Talavera seem very calm, almost laid-back. Schwartz casually explained how Alfa Jango was a spin off of his original company “No BS Web Design and Development,” started when he was a sophomore.

“Alfa Jango came about because I started doing more marketing work and consulting than actual web development,” said Schwartz. “I partnered with Ben Talavera, a Computer Engineer with a minor in Computer Science. He does the information and infrastructure work and I handle the web, marketing and business development.”

“A number of ‘No BS’ clients started asking for marketing advice so it morphed into Alpha Jango and Ben came on board,” Schwartz explained. “We do any kind of marketing, but we try to specialize in companies who need to market to our generation, the Echo-Boomers. Who better to market to us, than us?”

Indeed. For both their “No BS” clients and their new Alfa Jango clients, Schwartz and Talavera start out with traditional marketing plans and media, and then branch into the “new” media of Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and other online social networking venues to market to their peers. 

“A lot of companies that specialize in this type of marketing STUDY how to reach people with this media, but we’ve been using it from the inside out,” said Schwartz. “We use it just as a matter of course, so we have an edge in how to use it for marketing.”

Beyond marketing to fellow Echo Boomers, Alfa Jango helps companies utilize new technologies to grow their businesses from the inside out. “As companies grow, they have trouble with how they share information within the company,” explained Schwartz, “we build custom software to help companies grow and continue to operate efficiently, by solving internal communication infrastructure problems to help deal with growth, what we call scalable infrastructure,” he added.

To keep ahead of the technological curve Schwartz is involved in networking groups and professional associations in the Ann Arbor, MI, area. He helped organize Digital Edge Michigan (DEMI - www.digimich.com), which started out as networking group for web entrepreneurs. Schwartz, Kristen Winter, a fellow RateMyStudentRental.com founder and Kettering student, and Joe Minock, founder and CEO of WhatUNeed, LLC, saw the potential for DEM and began working to turn it into a non-profit incubator for web start ups in Michigan. “Digital Edge is about bringing together the web community,” said Schwartz, “we have more than 100 casual members and 75 active members now. And actually a few people over 30 have joined,” he joked, referring to the average age of Echo Boomers who are mostly under 30.

Running with the big dogs of the new technology-based business model, Schwartz is fast becoming recognized as a Michigan Internet player, serving as the youngest “expert” on discussion panels such as the “Internet User Experience Conference” at Washtenaw Community College, sponsored by the Usability Professionals' Association, and the New Enterprise Forum, focused on innovative new business models, sponsored by the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MIsbTdc) and GLEQ.

Fellow expert panelists for these events included Scott Collins, Slashdot; Derek Mehraban, CEO, Ingenex Digital Marketing; Ed Vielmetti, director of Social Media, Pure Visibility; Howard Brown, co-founder and CEO, CircleBuilder Software; Joe Minock, founder and CEO, J. Edward Media Group/AccuGet.com; and Rick Warner, CEO, Parking Carma.

In between classes, serving as expert panelists, calls from clients and MOI gigs, Schwartz and Talavera are dreaming big for their Rock D-Town Michigan rock tour (www.RockDTown.com). The plan is to get five or six of the best area bands from southeast Michigan to perform at locally-owned venues in a summer concert tour in July and August, and throw in an element of community service. 

Their goal is to promote the creative culture of Detroit and get people involved in charitable work.  “We’re trying to work it out to give all proceeds from the Rock D-Town tour to charity,” Schwartz said. To get people involved in service, the plan is to have participating band members do community service projects in the areas where they will be playing that night and invite fans to join them.

To make the Rock D-Town Rock Tour dream a reality, Schwartz, Talavera and Winter are putting their new technology skills to use to help find funding for the project. The Rock D-Town idea is one of eight finalists for the month of May on the web site IdeaBlob.com, where users vote on their favorite ideas, and at the end of each month, the idea with the most votes gets $10,000 to help make it happen.

“If we can win this $10,000, we could really make the rest of the nation stand up and listen to what’s going on in Detroit,” said Schwartz. But that $10,000 prize would be just the first step in making the Rock D-Town Rock Tour a nationally recognized event. “We’re also in the process of working out some major sponsorship and bringing a nationally known band to headline the tour,” added Winter. The band under consideration is originally from the area, keeping in line with the tour’s Detroit focus.

Contrary to how he appears to people with half his energy, Schwartz claims he is not a work-a-holic. “I like working if its fun and my thing,” he said of his hectic schedule.  “I work a lot, but I still have a healthy social life. Sometimes the social life wins over the work or school life,” he admitted.

He indirectly credits Kettering for fostering his entrepreneurial endeavors. “Kettering is not exactly known for having a lot of social activity,” Schwartz said, “but it’s a great place to make connections, to network, to meet a lot of people like me who are ready to start stuff. If I were at a state school, I probably wouldn’t be doing half of this,” he said, referring to Alfa Jango, MOI, RateMyStudentRental.com and the Rock D-Town Rock Tour.

“I’m crazy happy with my life right now. I’m 23 years old and I can’t stand not having anything to do. I may have stress on a daily basis, but it’s a stress I enjoy,” he said.

Written by Dawn Hibbard
810.762.9865
dhibbard@kettering.edu

Kettering University will host a Java Engagement for Teacher Training (JETT, http://jett.acm.org/ ) Program on campus Saturday, May 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kettering’s participation in this program, which also takes place at other institutions throughout the year, represents the University’s ongoing focus in reaching out to the Michigan high school community and highlights the importance of studying Computer Science at the higher education level.

The JETT program is a partnership between the Association for Computing Machinery’s (ACM) Computer Science Teachers Association and the College Board. The long-term goal of this program is to provide pedagogically-oriented workshops and resources in Java for secondary high school computer science teachers by universities. Additionally, the JETT program offers all secondary computer science engineers a comprehensive, centralized online Java repository hosted by ACM.

According to Dr. Jim Huggins, associate professor of Computer Science at Kettering and coordinator for the May 17 program at Kettering, the basis for Kettering’s desire to host the event is based on several points.

“We wanted to provide encouragement for high school CS teachers.  In many high schools, CS is a small enough subject that there's at most one CS teacher in the building.  We're hoping to provide a forum for teachers to talk with each other and support each other,” he said.

Huggins also explained that this program offers a chance to provide ideas and resources to high school CS teachers, many of whom are teaching the same sorts of concepts that Kettering’s CS Dept. teaches on a regular basis.  “None of us are perfect, but all of us as instructors learn about ideas and tools and techniques that have worked for us. 

“Part of being an academic community is sharing those good ideas with others to use.  We hope that sharing these ideas will help some of our colleagues at the high school level to teach more effectively,” he said. Kettering CS faculty who will lead sessions include Dr. John Geske, interim department head of Computer Science, Huggins, Dr. Peter Stanchev, Dr. David Vineyard and Dr. Saroja Kanchi.

This event also represents a unique opportunity to connect Kettering to a number of local high schools.  Ultimately, this sort of programmatic connection could help the University attract prospective students to study at Kettering while advancing interest in the field of Computer Science.

Furthermore, it provides yet another means to spread the word about the institution’s nationally-ranked brand of cooperative education, which provides an important incentive to companies when hiring engineering graduates with several years of experience in the field before they even graduate from college.

For high school CS teachers, the JETT program helps create a community of computer science educators who can share “best practices” and successful pedagogical methods to improve how they teach and how students learn Java. Thus, in many respects, this program offers a mentorship opportunity for teachers to develop their instructional capabilities and share with one another their methods and approaches to teaching Java to high school students.

Kettering joins a long list of prominent, nationally known institutions of higher education that have also served as one of many host sites for the program throughout the year,  including Duke University, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania and Indiana University, among others.

Support for the JETT program was made possible by Kettering’s Office of External Affairs, which is lead by Bob Nichols. This support allows Kettering to offering this program free to all CS high school teachers interested in participating. Huggins said for this year’s program at Kettering, all CS teachers from Michigan-based high schools are welcome to participate in this May 17 event.

For more information about the JETT program at Kettering University and to learn how you can participate, contact Dr. Jim Huggins, associate professor of Computer Science, at (810) 762-9500. ext. 5439, or email jhuggins@kettering.edu. To learn more about JETT and to register for the Kettering sessions, visit http://jett.acm.org/.

Written by Gary J. Erwin
810-762-9538
gerwin@kettering.edu