Celebrating Excellence:

Kettering University’s Evening of Distinction & Determination 2024

On October 17, 2024, Kettering University hosted its prestigious Evening of Distinction & Determination at The Daxton Hotel, an event dedicated to honoring the remarkable achievements of its alumni and the generosity of its donors. The event, held in partnership with the Kettering/GMI Alumni Association, featured a networking reception, awards, and donor recognition, which were the highlights of this celebration of the University’s legacy of excellence. This year’s celebration recognized the 2024 Kettering/GMI Alumni Award winners and the generous donors who support the University’s mission. "Kettering is known for producing leaders, and this year’s awardees are fantastic representations of what Kettering does so well," said Jennifer Patterson, Vice President for University Advancement and External Relations.

Ronald “Ron” Pirtle ’77 received the Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award for his exceptional career in the automotive industry, including serving as president of Delphi Powertrain and Delphi Europe. Beginning his journey with General Motors in 1972, Pirtle held various leadership positions, culminating in a career marked by significant contributions and a commitment to excellence. “I always challenge myself to set really high personal standards for myself but also to set high standards for my team and the company that I was leading,” Pirtle said. “People are what make it possible to achieve those high marks.”

Wendy Bauer ’98 was honored with the Extraordinary Leadership Award. As Group President of 3M Transportation and Electronics Business Group, she oversees the company’s advanced materials, automotive and aerospace, commercial branding, display materials and systems, electronics materials solutions, and transportation divisions. Throughout her career, Bauer’s passion has come from building and inspiring globally diverse organizations to learn and grow while innovating with customers and partners to solve complex challenges. “When you're faced with an opportunity, and you find yourself pausing or saying, ‘Do I have what it takes to be successful?’ — the second you find yourself pausing is when you just need to go for it,” Bauer said. “Take a bet on yourself.”

The Engineering Achievement Award was presented to Edward “Ed” Tate, Ph.D. ’90, a trailblazer in renewable energy. As Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Virtus Solis Technologies, Tate’s career spanned three decades, including pivotal roles in developing GM’s first commercial electric vehicle. His work continues to influence sustainable energy solutions, with 41 patents to his name. He advised others to take risks. “There are a lot of frontiers that are opening up, and the pace of innovation is just going to increase,” Tate said. “There are a lot of opportunities for somebody who wants to make a mark in the world and really make it a better place.”

Thadeus “Thad” Eby ’02 received the Entrepreneurial Achievement Award for his role as Founder and CEO of Ombud, a software company revolutionizing document management and collaboration. Eby’s leadership has fostered a vibrant startup culture in Denver, earning Ombud recognition as one of Colorado’s notable companies. “I’m a big believer that you, as an entrepreneur, your number one goal should be giving back more than you take,” Eby said.

Nina (Dombrausky) Leask ’87 was awarded the Civic Achievement Award for her selfless contributions to the Muskegon community. Nina’s initiatives, including managing a Little Free Library and volunteering at local charities, reflect her commitment to enriching the lives of those around her. She shared her philosophy on volunteerism. “What’s most fulfilling about it is knowing you’re making a positive difference and that you’re able to use the skills that you have, or that I’ve gained over time, and the interest to really know I’m making a difference in my community and an individual and an organization,” Leask said.

The Human Relations Award was given to Sabin Blake ’99, who dedicated himself to supporting the LGBTQ+ community through his work with organizations, including the Ruth Ellis Center and GMPLUS. His efforts were instrumental in promoting inclusivity and community health. Blake says his experience studying abroad while at Kettering changed his life. “I was a part of the second group that went abroad to study in Europe, and I completely fell in love with the experience of being abroad, so I decided to move and switch my Co-op, so I wrote my thesis there, and it made me a global citizen, where the entire world became accessible to me through my experience at Kettering,” Blake said.

Harris Ng ’95, a Partner at Kearney Inc., received the Alumni Service Award for his outstanding volunteer work with the University, helping to engage alumni and mentor students. He shared his advice for students. “Take advantage of your time and your youth. You only get your youth and your energy one time," Ng said. “So take advantage of it. Try different things, try to learn things, try to experience different things.”

Lastly, the Young Alumni Award went to Amy (Allison) MacDonald ’15, an Engineering Group Manager at General Motors. Amy’s rapid ascent in the automotive industry and active involvement in professional organizations demonstrate her commitment to leadership and community. She spoke highly of her time at Kettering. “The cooperative experience while taking classes served to ingrain the academic principles into me through their practical application,” MacDonald said. “I was able to experience the relevance and usefulness of my education in real-time, which you simply cannot get at institutions that do not have experiential learning programs.”

An Evening of Distinction & Determination not only celebrated outstanding alumni but also recognized the visionary donors whose generosity drives Kettering University’s progress. Their support strengthens the University’s legacy of empowering leaders in engineering, business, and technology — leaders who shape industries and transform futures. This year, 21 donors joined the President’s Circle, recognizing gifts of $10,000 or more or planned gifts of $25,000 or more. The General Determination Society welcomed 17 new members for contributions of $25,000 or planned gifts of $50,000 or more. Seventeen donors joined the Founders Society, honoring gifts of $50,000 or more or planned gifts of $100,000 or more.

Five donors became part of the Innovator Society, which celebrates gifts of $100,000 or more, while another five joined the 1919 Society, recognizing contributions of $250,000 or more. “Many alumni have had very successful careers in a variety of fields,” said Keith Ridler ’75, a new 1919 Society member.  “It started with a Kettering degree, which opened up many opportunities for them.  I would encourage other alumni to consider setting up a scholarship to enable Kettering to offer a valuable, hands-on, and affordable education for future generations of students.”

At the Scholars Society level, two donors were honored for gifts of $500,000 or planned gifts of $1,000,000 or more. Finally, two donors joined the Bell Tower Society, Kettering’s highest giving level, reserved for gifts of $1,000,000 or more or planned gifts of $2,000,000 or more.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Robert K. McMahan, Kettering University President, shared a call to action for other alumni. “As significant as our achievements have been, to remain relevant and accessible to students in the future, we must be far, far more ambitious, so ultimately, this evening and all that we celebrate tonight is about forging that new ambitious future,” Dr. McMahan said. “We must never stop looking and moving forward. Together, if we continue to believe and invest in our students like previous generations invested in us, we will together create that new future.”

Click here to see the entire University Donor Honor Roll.