More than 40 Students to Earn the University’s Highest Academic Honors
On June 21, Kettering University will honor more than 340 undergraduates and 150 graduate students at its 2025 Commencement Ceremony. This milestone event marks not just the culmination of rigorous academic achievement but the beginning of bold career journeys.
Founded in 1919 as a night school for automotive engineers, Kettering University has since become a global leader in STEM education. Through its rigorous academics and hands-on research, as well as its pioneering cooperative educational model, Kettering graduates are prepared to tackle the biggest challenges and shape the future.
The Class of 2025 arrived at Kettering during a time of rapid technological shifts and went to work, building solutions, leading innovation, and driving progress across industries. Each graduate has completed not only a rigorous academic program but also over 2.5 years of immersive Co-op experience, earning while they learn and transforming their knowledge into applied leadership. As the Class of 2025 takes its place at the forefront of tomorrow’s industries, they carry with them not just a degree, but the confidence, ingenuity, and purpose that define a Kettering education.
The Celebration of the Class of 2025 will begin the night before Commencement with the Academic Honors Banquet on June 20. The invitation-only event recognizes several outstanding groups of graduates, including:
Notable Student Accomplishments and Honors
President’s Medalists: Students who have demonstrated excellence in cooperative employment, scholarship, and community engagement.
Dakota-Duyen Thi Avallone, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Milford, MI
Joli Sage Forgach, B.S. Biochemistry, Fenton, MI
Alyssa L. Hagan, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Highland, MI
Lance Isaac Krueger Lipasek, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Washington, MI
Dylan Hoang Pham, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Lansing, MI
Varun Rallabandi, B.S. Computer Science, Troy, MI
Maggie Elizabeth Simons, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Clinton Twp, MI
Amanda Rose Smith, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Beverly Hills, MI
Sobey Scholars: Students who have been inducted into an academic honor society and Kettering’s Robot Society.
Stephen Josiah Alexander, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, La Porte, TX
Martin Ortega Cordoba, B.S. Computer Science, Clarkston, MI
Tanisha Isabella Francis, B.S. Computer Engineering, Flint, MI
Jaydin Tremayne Freeman, B.S. Computer Science, Auburn Hills, MI
Colin Leonard Mazzola, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Northville, MI
Katelyn Marie Petersdorf, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Shelby Township, MI
Isabella Catherine Weingartz, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Chesterfield, MI
Summa Cum Laude Awardees: Students who earned a grade point average of 3.90 or higher.
Inti H. Aguilar Ornelas, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Flint, MI
Syed Mustafa Ahmed, B.S. Computer Engineering, Rochester Hills, MI
Dakota-Duyen Thi Avallone, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Milford, MI
Maxwell Cameron Battist, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Williamston, MI
Wyatt Matthew Bloch, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Burlington, MI
Nathan Edward Diaz Cahilig, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Warren, MI
Joseph Jerome Calamia, B.S. Electrical Engineering, St. Clair Shores, MI
Connor James Carene, B.S. Computer Science, Gaylord, MI
Noah Francis Cole, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Sterling Heights, MI
Logan Joseph Deniston, B.S. Computer Science, Portage, MI
Jonathan Henry Eby, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Ida, MI
Cash Daniel Ericson, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Jonathan Andrew Gooch, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Sturgis, MI
Chad Gary Goodwine, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Shelby Township, MI
Alyssa L. Hagan, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Highland, MI
Nicholas Jeffrey Hong, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Marysville, MI
Dean Francis Kalebjian, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Columbus, MI
Daniel Walter Harrison Kamp, B.S. Computer Engineering, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Amanda Marie Koziol, B.S. Computer Science, Shelby Township, MI
Jack W. Krugh, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Chelsea, MI
Rayaansh Kumar, B.S. Computer Engineering, Flint, MI
Nicholas Michael Lipcsik, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Plymouth, MI
Matthew Joseph McMahon, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Lake Orion, MI
Adam Robert Meyer, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Warren, MI
Jacob A. Morrison, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Oxford, MI
Rebekah Marie Mosier, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Clayton, IN
Phu Anh Nguyen, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Warren, MI
Valentino Pecaj, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Fenton, MI
Dylan Hoang Pham, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Lansing, MI
Varun Rallabandi, B.S. Computer Science, Troy, MI
Noah James Ray, B.S. Computer Science, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Portage, MI
Thomas Mark Schneider, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Oil City, PA
Alexander J. Shores, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Lapeer, MI
Amanda Rose Smith, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Beverly Hills, MI
Christa G. Spencer, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Ortonville, MI
Ian David Spitael, B.S. Engineering, Saline, MI
Ryan Michael Stiles, B.S Mechanical Engineering, Gladwin, MI
Brendan Scott Sting, B.S. Computer Science, Grand Blanc, MI
Frank Vincent Tilli III, B.S. Computer Science, Clarkston, MI
Andrew Paul Tower, B.S. Chemical Engineering, East Lansing, MI
Vinh-Han Truong, B.S. Computer Science, Novi, MI
Matthew James Vanderhoff, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Sterling Heights, MI
Maggie Elizabeth Simons, Outstanding Thesis Award Winner
B.S. Chemical Engineering, Clinton Twp, Michigan
Simons is a President’s Medalist graduating Magna Cum Laude. She earned the Outstanding Thesis Award for her work, “Improving Drafting Efficiency for Patent Applications Using Generative Artificial Intelligence,” completed in collaboration with Howard and Howard Attorneys, PLLC, under Dr. Susan Farhat’s supervision. Her research explored how large language models can streamline patent application drafting, reducing time and accelerating the patent acquisition process — a critical advancement for the field of intellectual property. Simons is also a member of the Honors Program, sorority Alpha Gamma Delta, and the National Order of Omega. Upon graduation, she plans to attend Wayne State University Law School on a full-ride merit scholarship with the goal of one day practicing patent law and intellectual property law.
Maximilian J. Vanovermeer-Santamaria, Dual Degree Recipient
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, M.B.A., St. Clair Shores, Michigan
During his Co-op experiences at American Axle & Manufacturing and BAE Systems, Vanovermeer-Santamaria contributed to 3D modeling, efficiency improvements, tooling design, vehicle retrofits, and root cause analysis, demonstrating his commitment to real-world solutions. On campus, he was President of the Target Club, Treasurer of the Trap and Skeet Club, a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, the Order of the Engineer, and Gamma Sigma Alpha, the national Greek Honor Society. He has accepted a position as a rotational mechanical engineer at Williams International after graduation.
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Freeport, The Bahamas
Graduating Magna Cum Laude, Stubbs is a member of the Robot Honor Society, Pi Tau Sigma, the international honor society for mechanical engineers, and the National Society of Black Engineers. She distinguished herself during her Co-op at Lear Corporation, where she developed grounding system topologies for a new vehicle electrical distribution system and led a Materials Cost Excellence initiative. On campus, Stubbs served as President of the International Club and Vice President of M.A.G.I.C., and a counselor for the Academically Interested Minds summer program. She has accepted an offer to work as a product engineer in the wiring department at Lear Corporation after graduation.
The ceremony’s commencement address will be delivered by Kettering alumna Sherry House ’94, Chief Financial Officer at Ford Motor Company. Over her career, House has held influential roles across the mobility industry, from leading finance and operations at autonomous vehicle pioneer Waymo to steering Lucid Motors through its public debut and the launch of luxury electric vehicles. At Ford, House oversees all finance functions, including Accounting, Financial Planning and Analysis, Treasury, Tax, Investor Relations, Economics, and Audit, as well as the Ford Credit business. House’s career, from early Co-op rotations to executive leadership at the forefront of the mobility sector, exemplifies the rigor, purpose, and impact that define a Kettering education. In recognition of her distinguished contributions to the global automotive industry, the University will confer upon her the honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration.
The University will also honor Frank Perna, Jr. ‘60, the retired CEO of MSC Software, with the honorary Doctor of Engineering degree. Perna holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University. Perna spent over 50 years as a registered Professional Engineer working at a number of industry leaders, including General Motors, Sun Electric, and Bell & Howell, among others. He now serves as Director of The Valentine Foundation, which funds critical educational and conservational activities.
