Honors Banquet Recognizes the Most Outstanding Kettering University Graduates of 2024

Kettering University students are known for striving for excellence in everything they do. Since its founding, Kettering University has continually brought STEM-focused learning to life. Through a 50/50 blend of rigorous academics and paid Co-op employment, all our graduates begin their careers with 2.5 years of real-world industry experience, giving them a tremendous advantage over their peers from other universities. This year, the Honors Banquet recognized the efforts of more than three dozen 2024 graduates who exceeded even those high expectations during their Kettering careers. The invitation-only event recognized these top graduates in several award categories.

In 1919, Major Albert Sobey launched the Co-operative education program that would eventually become Kettering University. Sobey also was the school's first president until his retirement in 1950. The University established the Sobey Scholar Awards in 1961 to honor exemplary students who have demonstrated the highest levels of scholarship and leadership at Kettering University. Honorees must be a member of the Robot Society, the University's most distinguished honor society, as well as a member of another academic honor society or have achieved cum laude status.

Seven Kettering graduates met the demanding criteria to become Sobey Scholars in 2024. They are:

• Alexandra Ann Bahm, B.S. Management, Clinton Township, MI
• Kimberly Linnette Betty, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Flint, MI
• Emma Catherine Bishoff, B.S. Management, Burton, MI
• Leah Michelle Garczynski, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Plymouth, MI
• Kristen Jean Gury, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Canton, MI
• Thomas Weldon Sprecher III, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Electrical Engineering, Marietta, GA
• Felipe Antonio Villalobos, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, San Pablo, CA

The President's Medal was first awarded in 1996. Recipients must exhibit extraordinary professionalism and job performance while engaged in their Co-op experience. A President's Medalist must also demonstrate outstanding scholarship and have made notable contributions to Kettering University and the surrounding communities.

Eight Kettering graduates earned the President's Medal in 2024. They are:

• Henry Warren Grasman, B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Computer Engineering, Flushing, MI
• Kristen Jean Gury, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Canton, MI
• Ariana Elizabeth Hunt, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Monroe, MI
• David Gerald Kavanagh, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Shelby Township, MI
• Mattie Ann Reich, B.S. Computer Engineering, Flushing, MI
• Thomas Weldon Sprecher III, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Electrical Engineering, Marietta, GA
• Felipe Antonio Villalobos, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, San Pablo, CA
• Alayna Grace Wanless, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Unionville, MI

Every student who earns a Bachelor's degree from Kettering University must satisfactorily complete a senior thesis. The thesis represents the culmination of a student's academic experience. Two students earned Outstanding Thesis Awards this year for producing a thesis that exceeded the University's highest expectations and expertly integrated theory and practice.

Lauryn Nicole Tithof, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Owosso, Michigan, earned a 2024 Outstanding Thesis Award for her work "Universalized H-Point Process" under Faculty Advisor Dr. Scott Grasman while in the Co-op program at Lear Corporation. Her thesis project replaced manual H-point testing with a semi-automated process that improved efficiency by as much as 84% and reduced the risk of injury by 100%.

Alexandra Lakota Kekel, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Grand Blanc, Michigan, earned a 2024 Outstanding Thesis Award for her work during her Co-op employment at Munro & Associates Inc. in Troy, Michigan. As is sometimes the case when working on high-level projects and emerging technology, the company deemed her thesis confidential. Her Faculty Advisor, Dr. Bashar AbdulNour, said Kekel's 309-page report is one of the most technically valuable and the best thesis he has ever seen.

Kettering University is known for its rigorous academic standards and challenging coursework. This year, 39 students met those challenges head-on, earning their degrees with a grade point average of 3.90 or higher, granting them summa cum laude status. They are:

• Mary Samantha Allen, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Westland, MI
• Kimberly Linnette Betty, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Flint, MI
• Parker J. Buszka, B.S. Computer Science, Farmington, MI
• Rebecca L. Dengel, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Bay City, MI
• Andrew Thomas Dixon, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Shelby Township, MI
• Anna Christine Dumanois, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Clio, MI
• Luke Patrick Fenstermacher, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Canton, MI
• Shannon Nicole Fillwock, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Grand Blanc, MI
• Taiden Rexford Foryt, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Rochester, NY
• Jack William Gaddis, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Waterford, MI
• Joyce May Gaffner, B.S. Applied Biology, Ortonville, MI
• Bobby Rupesh Gandhi, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Shelby Township, MI
• Henry Warren Grasman, B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Computer Engineering, Flushing, MI
• Kristen Jean Gury, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Canton, MI
• Tyler J. Holdwick, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Harbor Beach, MI
• Emily Corinne Hong, B.S. Management, Marysville, MI
• Ariana Elizabeth Hunt, B.S. Chemical Engineering, Monroe, MI
• Parker Lee Jensen, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Holland, MI
• Spenser Alex Keys, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Huntington Woods, MI
• Mitchell Wallace Kusser, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Howell, MI
• Christopher George Mars, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Corunna, MI
• Lily Moran, B.S. Computer Science, Plymouth, MI
• Gregory Robert Morrill, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Flint, MI
• Sean Patrick Morse, B.S. Electrical Engineering, St. Johns, MI
• William Christian Kevin Moss, B.S. Computer Science, Freeport, MI
• Tanner P. Moszak, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Victor, NY
• William Chad Raines, B.S. Computer Science, Clarkston, MI
• Mattie Ann Reich, B.S. Computer Engineering, Flushing, MI
• Jared Patrick Robinson, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Flint, MI
• Jenna Michelle Salmen, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Schaumburg, IL
• Crystal Yaesong Smalligan, B.S. Management, Grand Rapids, MI
• Thomas Weldon Sprecher III, B.S. Electrical Engineering, B.S. Computer Engineering, M.S. Electrical Engineering, Marietta, GA
• Unya Chuanromanee Sripradisvarakul, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI
• Courtney Elizabeth Stone, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Lake Orion, MI
• Brady Marshall Tackabury, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Birch Run, MI
• Joel Anthony TenHaaf, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Caledonia, MI
• Lauryn Nicole Tithof, B.S. Industrial Engineering, Owosso, MI
• Alayna Grace Wanless, B.S. Electrical Engineering, Unionville, MI
• Allison Lynn Warners, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Jenison, MI

"There is not a better-prepared group of students in the country than the Kettering University students we honor today," Kettering University Provost Dr. James Zhang said. "They are remarkable."

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