Kettering University

Kettering University honored eight Sobey Scholar recipients, an award reserved for students inducted into an academic honor society and Kettering's Robot Society, during the 2026 Celebration of Distinguished Scholars on June 19.

Kettering University recognized its summa cum laude graduates during its 2026 Celebration of Distinguished Scholars on June 19. Summa cum laude students earned a grade point average of 3.90 or higher. This achievement represents the highest academic distinction. "Kettering University stands out among all of higher education as an institution that provides the very best education and career preparation combined, and these graduates embody the concept of mastery that underlies our entire educational model," University President Dr. Robert K. McMahan said. "This world needs their talents and abilities, their energy, their service, their determined focus, and their spirit. They have navigated college years through turbulent and uncertain times - but also with grace, grit, and resilience. And they have done so successfully." Since its founding in 1919, Kettering University has continually brought STEM-focused learning to life. Through a 50/50 blend of rigorous academics and paid Co-op employment, Kettering students work shoulder-to-shoulder with professors and industry leaders and enter the job market with 2.5 years of on-the-job experience upon graduation.

Kettering University awarded eight President's Medals at its 2026 Celebration of Distinguished Scholars to students who demonstrated excellence in cooperative employment, scholarship, and community engagement. "Kettering University stands out among all of higher education as an institution that provides the very best education and career preparation combined, and these graduates embody the concept of mastery that underlies our entire educational model," University President Dr. Robert K. McMahan said. "This world needs their talents and abilities, their energy, their service, their determined focus, and their spirit. They have navigated their college years through turbulent, uncertain times - but also with grace, grit, and resilience. And they have done so successfully." Since its founding in 1919, Kettering University has continually brought STEM-focused learning to life. Through a 50/50 blend of rigorous academics and paid Co-op employment, Kettering students work shoulder-to-shoulder with professors and industry leaders and enter the job market with 2.5 years of on-the-job experience upon graduation.

Kettering University's Formula SAE team reached a major milestone at Formula SAE 2026, successfully completing all dynamic events and finishing the endurance competition for the first time in 4 years. Competing against more than 100 collegiate teams from around the world, the team also introduced a new inline twin-cylinder engine platform after nearly two decades of using single-cylinder powertrains. The achievement reflects months of student-led design, manufacturing, testing, and collaboration while providing hands-on experience in vehicle engineering, project management, and advanced mobility technologies that prepare students for careers in the automotive industry.

Kettering University student Jack Hernandez presented original research at the 2026 Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) Annual Conference and Expo after being selected for a highly competitive NSF-supported Student Travel Award. The conference, held May 16-19 in Arlington, Texas, brought together researchers, students, and industry professionals from across the country to explore advancements in industrial and systems engineering. Hernandez's paper, "Data-Driven Labor Efficiency Analysis and Workload Balancing for Forklift Operators in the Automotive Industry," was accepted for presentation at the conference. His research focused on analyzing labor efficiency and operational workload distribution within automotive manufacturing environments using data-driven methods. The NSF-supported travel award was granted through a competitive national selection process. According to the IISE 2026 Student Travel Award Committee, Hernandez's application stood out for "its clarity, motivation, and alignment with the goals of this program," as well as his demonstrated commitment to professional and academic development within the industrial and systems engineering field. The award supported conference registration and helped offset travel and lodging expenses, enabling Hernandez to share his work with the broader engineering community while building professional connections with researchers and industry leaders. Hernandez pursued studies in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at Kettering University, where students combined rigorous academics with professional Co-op experience to address real-world industry challenges.

Students from Kettering University's KUdos robotics team earned the Innovate Award at the VEX Robotics World Championship after developing a unique competition strategy that helped them stand out on the global stage. The team designed two robots, Rafiki and Simba, to connect at the start of each match and climb together for maximum points, an approach team members said had never been attempted before in VEX competition. KUdos members balanced the demands of robotics competition while alternating between classes and paid Co-op work experiences through Kettering's 50/50 model. Students collaborated remotely across academic and Co-op terms using CAD software, shared documentation, and virtual meetings. The Innovate Award recognizes teams that introduce creative engineering solutions and original approaches to competition strategy.

At the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference in Louisville, Kettering University students advanced deep into competition, with eight finalists emerging from a team of 13. The group secured a first-place finish, two second-place awards, multiple finalist honors, and 13 semifinal medals, reinforcing the strength of Kettering's applied business education.

Kettering University congratulates more than 200 students named to the Winter 2026 Dean's List. The Dean's List recognizes overall academic performance based on the student's term grade point average (GPA). To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must satisfy the following requirements: be a degree-seeking student with a minimum term grade point average of 3.5, no grades below B, and a minimum of 16 earned credits for the term. "Being named to the Dean's List is a testament to the dedication and excellence of our students," Kettering University Provost James Zhang said. "It reflects their hard work and their ability to thrive in a challenging academic environment. Our rigorous programs are designed for driven students to push boundaries and inspire growth. I am very proud that so many of our students have risen to that challenge with remarkable success."

A group of Kettering University students was inducted into Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE), the international honor society for the computing and information disciplines. The 2026 induction recognizes students who have demonstrated academic excellence and a strong commitment to the field of computer science. Membership in Upsilon Pi Epsilon is reserved for students who rank among the top of their class in computing-related programs. Inductees are selected based on their academic performance, integrity, and potential for continued achievement in the discipline. Students inducted this term include Nick Demaestri, Brandon Fant, Dylan Grace, Kaia Hospodarsky, Isaac Huggins, Demetri Karras, Chase Luedke, Cle Moorer, and Connor McCarty. Through Kettering University's hands-on academic model, these students have developed the technical foundation and applied experience that position them for continued success in computing and related fields.

Kettering University welcomed the incoming B-Section class at its fall Convocation earlier this month. Held in the Connie and Jim John Recreation Center, the ceremony brought together 254 new students and their families to mark the official start of their Kettering experience. While many students hail from Michigan, the incoming class represents nearly 20 states and eight countries. Roughly half of the students have declared Mechanical Engineering as their intended major, with Electrical Engineering and Computer Science rounding out the top three. "By attending Kettering University, you've made a bold and exciting choice. One that now ties you to a proud tradition of excellence, of ambition, of transformation, both in and beyond the classroom," said University President Robert K. McMahan. "Here, you'll combine theory and practice in ways that prepare you not just for a job, but for a future you help define." As part of Kettering's signature 50/50 model, students will complete 11 weeks of intensive coursework on campus before heading to their first Co-op employment assignment, gaining professional experience that will set them apart in the job market. "To our new students: you're taking this first step with purpose, with courage, and with the full support of a community that believes in you," said Dr. McMahan. "This is your moment to explore who you are and begin to shape who you want to become."

Three Kettering University students took first place in the FinTech track at Hack Dearborn 4, a hackathon hosted on October 11th and 12th, 2025, at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Andrew Ricard, Ansh Suryavanshi, and Melvin Cloud earned the top honor in their track for developing the E-Ink Gift Card, a secure, battery-free, NFC-enabled card featuring an e-ink display that updates dynamically when tapped. Unlike traditional cards, the E-Ink Gift Card displays no static card numbers. Instead, its identifiers are fully tokenized and encrypted. Each transaction generates a temporary cryptogram used only during authentication, ensuring card data cannot be copied or reused. The design also enables secure reloading and activation through an accompanying mobile app or point-of-sale system, providing transparent, auditable control for users and merchants alike. Organized in partnership with Major League Hacking (MLH), Hack Dearborn 4 brought together students from across the region for more than 24 hours of coding, collaboration, and problem-solving. The event featured workshops led by Google engineers, networking opportunities, and challenges spanning a range of technical domains, including artificial intelligence and financial innovation.

Kettering University recognized five Esports athletes for their outstanding performance, leadership, and dedication during the 2024-2025 academic year. Now in its second year, this annual recognition highlights students who consistently demonstrate drive, teamwork, and initiative, qualities that set them apart within the growing Esports program. Each recipient received a trophy as a token of appreciation for their commitment and leadership, underscoring Kettering's continued support of student excellence both in and out of the arena. "These awards are still new to our program, but they've quickly become an important way to recognize our students who truly step up," said Daniel Nowaczyk, Director of Esports. "Throughout the year, these athletes have demonstrated excellence in their roles, from strong in-game performance and team leadership to their flexibility and determination to make a positive impact."

Kettering University awarded 418 bachelor's degrees during its 2024 commencement ceremony on June 15, setting the stage for these graduates to take on roles as leaders and innovators in a breadth of industries and areas ranging from mobility, new energy vehicles, intelligent manufacturing, to AI and sustainability. "Kettering University stands out among all of higher education as an institution that provides the very best education and career preparation combined, and these graduates embody the concept of mastery that underlies our entire educational model," University President Dr. Robert K. McMahan said. "This world needs their talents and abilities, their energy, their service, their determined focus, and their spirit. They have navigated college years through turbulent and uncertain times - but also with grace, grit, and resilience. And they have done so successfully." Alumnus and Regional President of Caesars Entertainment Sean McBurney '03 (Mechanical Engineering) delivered the 2024 Commencement address. A business leader who rolled the dice on a non-traditional application of his expertise, McBurney oversees hotel, gaming, food and beverage, retail, surveillance, security operations, marketing, and human resources operations for nine of Caesars Entertainment's properties in the Las Vegas region. Over the last two years, the region set an all-time revenue record. McBurney received an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration during the 2024 Commencement ceremony. His advice to graduates? "Your success is limited only by your imagination," McBurney said. "I had an extraordinary education here. You have had an extraordinary education here. You have developed a skillset, discipline, and experience that can set you on virtually any career path you desire." Since its founding in 1919, Kettering University has continually brought STEM-focused learning to life. Through a 50/50 blend of rigorous academics and paid Co-op employment, Kettering students work shoulder-to-shoulder with professors and industry leaders and enter the job market with 2.5 years of on-the-job experience upon graduation.

Maggie Simons ('25, Chemical Engineering) earned the Spring 2025 Outstanding Thesis Award from Kettering University. The Outstanding Thesis Award recognizes exceptional performance in Kettering's Senior Thesis Project. Candidates for this award must have received a grade of "Pass with Distinction" on their thesis and be nominated by their faculty advisers. "Kettering University stands out among all of higher education as an institution that provides the very best education and career preparation combined, and these graduates embody the concept of mastery that underlies our entire educational model," University President Dr. Robert K. McMahan said. "This world needs their talents and abilities, their energy, their service, their determined focus, and their spirit. They have navigated college years through turbulent and uncertain times - but also with grace, grit, and resilience. And they have done so successfully." Since its founding in 1919, Kettering University has continually brought STEM-focused learning to life. Through a 50/50 blend of rigorous academics and paid Co-op employment, Kettering students work shoulder-to-shoulder with professors and industry leaders and enter the job market with 2.5 years of on-the-job experience upon graduation.

The Eta Eta chapter of the Order of Omega initiated nine new members on September 9. The Order of Omega is the premier leadership honor society for members of fraternity and sorority organizations. The Order of Omega recognizes upperclassmen who have exemplified high standards in scholarship, leadership, and involvement within their respective organization and the campus and local community. Members share the common goal of recognizing outstanding student leaders.

Kettering University announced the new student leaders of the Kettering Student Government for the Spring 2024 Term.