Kettering University
| Kettering University | |
|---|---|
| Established | October 20, 1919[1] |
| Type | Private |
| Endowment | $48.3 million[2] |
| President | Robert K. McMahan Jr.[3] |
| Provost | Robert Simpson |
| Academic staff | 145 |
| Students | 1,922[4] |
| Undergraduates | 1,599[4] |
| Postgraduates | 323[5] |
| Location | Flint, Michigan, USA |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colors |
Gold and Blue |
| Website | www.kettering.edu |
Kettering University (formerly General Motors Institute and GMI Engineering and Management Institute) is a university in Flint, Michigan, offering degrees in engineering, math, science, and business. The campus is located along the Flint River on property that used to be the main manufacturing location for General Motors. It is named after inventor and former head of research for General Motors Charles Kettering.[6] The school's undergraduate population is approximately 2,000 students.[7]
Contents |
History
The history of Kettering University is deeply tied to the development of the American automotive industry. The school was originally founded as The School of Automobile Trades on October 20, 1919 by Albert Sobey under the direction of the Industrial Fellowship of Flint as a night school, training individuals for careers in industry. In 1923 the school became known as the Flint Institute of Technology. General Motors acquired the school on July 12, 1926, renaming it General Motors Institute of Technology. In 1932 the name of the school was shortened to General Motors Institute.[2]
GMI focused on creating leaders for business and industry (sometimes called the West Point of Industry[8]) and pioneered many educational firsts including the co-op program (following the development of this program at the University of Cincinnati in 1907), freshmen level manufacturing courses (Production Processes I & II), and automotive degree specialties. A fifth-year thesis requirement was added in 1945, along with the ability to grant degrees. The first bachelor's degree was awarded on August 23, 1946.[2]
The co-op program required applicants to find a GM division to be their sponsor. Work and school were mixed in six-week rotations, dividing the student body into A-section and B-section. At any given time, when A-section was in school, B-section was at work. After six weeks, B-section would go back to school and so on. This resulted in students moving eight times per year and a 48-week school/work year. Because General Motors used the school to train its engineers, tuition was partially subsidized.
In June 1980 (the Class of 1985) co-op rotations were expanded to twelve weeks. After GM reduced operations in Flint, the company and the University separated on July 1, 1982, although GM continued to hire co-ops from GMI.[2] The name of the institution became "GMI Engineering & Management Institute" although the letters "GMI" were retained to allow easy identification with the old General Motors Institute. New co-op employers began participating, including Magna International of Canada, and the University began charging full tuition.
On January 1, 1998 the school's name was formally changed to Kettering University in order to:
- create an identity separate from General Motors and the auto industry,
- avoid confusion with General Motors University, a General Motors training center created in 1997.[9]
- honor Charles F. Kettering, an early 20th century inventor, a proponent of cooperative education, and an early benefactor of the school.[10]
Admissions
| Kettering University Presidents |
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The 2006 freshman class of 398 students was selected from 2,157 applicants with 1,534 admitted. 86% of freshmen scored 600 or above on the math section of the SAT and 84% scored over 500 on the verbal section.[11] Students averaged a 3.54 high school GPA and an average ACT score of 26.[12] Approximately 83% of the degree-seeking undergraduate student body is male.[13]
Academic programs
Kettering University offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Business Administration, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The university also offers a Bachelors of Business Administration.[14] The University also offers Master's degrees in Business Administration (MBA), Information Technology, Manufacturing Management, Operations Management, Manufacturing Operations, Engineering Management, and Engineering.[15] Although courses differ with major, for most undergraduate programs, completion of 160 credit hours is needed for graduation.
Kettering also offers students more than 40 minors, concentrations, specialties and courses of study[16], including a pre-med program. Kettering's pre-med program also has early assurance agreements with both the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine[17]and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)[18], ensuring Kettering pre-med students admittance to the schools upon graduation.
Sections
Kettering is one of the few engineering schools that prepares students for the workplace through 100% participation in an experiential learning and co-op program. In addition to classwork, students spend half the year acquiring full-time professional work experience. This is broken into four rotations of 11 week terms. The student body is separated into two sections, A and B. A-Section attends classes from July to September and then from January to March, while B-Section attends classes from October to December and April to June. During the three-month periods between class terms, students work full-time with one of over 500 co-op employer partners.[19] As a requirement to graduate, each student must complete five work terms and a major project for their employer in the form of a thesis. On average a student earns between $40,000 and $65,000 throughout their co-op experience.[20] The curriculum is designed to be completed in four and one-half years, although it is possible to complete it in four years.
Campus
Kettering University consists of six buildings and nearly 90 acres (360,000 m2) of land. In 1995, Kettering built a park spanning over much of this land. In addition to this, the Connie and Jim John Recreation Center opened on August 5, 1995[2]; it offers students a larger selection of activities. With over 75,000 cubic feet (2,100 m3), some of the more notable aspects are its Olympic sized pool, indoor track and numerous tennis, basketball and racquetball courts.[21] These enhancements totaled over $7 million dollars to construct.[22]
Kettering offers two of these six buildings for student housing. The school's Campus Center is the location of the Admissions and Public Relations offices as well as the student cafeteria.
The C.S. Mott Engineering and Science Center opened in July 2004[2] and contains an entire fuel cell systems and powertrain integration labs.[23] This $43 million dollar facility also contains several other laboratories such as emissions, bioengineering and various others for the core science courses for most students.
Kettering is also one of the few schools in the nation to have a crash safety center, in which students are able to experience crash testing and develop effective safety equipment.[21] Also located in the Academic Building, Kettering offers a variety of other engineering labs such as machining, welding, polymer processing and injection molding.[24]
Student life
Forty eight percent of students live in either the 445-student residence hall or Campus Village Apartment complex adjacent to campus, capable of housing 211. Others live in Greek housing facilities or private rental properties near campus. Kettering students stay involved in over 15 Greek organizations, student government and recreational activities.[25]
Clubs
Kettering Student Government sponsors many student clubs to promote an atmosphere conducive to social interaction. Most clubs receive money from the University to operate. However, some clubs are self financing, either because they wish to avoid the restrictions placed on the Kettering Student Government (KSG) sponsored clubs or because they are unaware that funding is available.
Greek life
The university has a very active Greek system, which is recognized as an excellent source of service opportunities and leadership training. Over 40% of the student body is currently involved in a fraternity or sorority[26]. Before on campus housing was available, membership was as high as 80%.
Many North-American Interfraternity Conference (IFC) fraternities have chapters at Kettering as do several National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities. The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) has several local chapters that are also affiliated with Kettering. IFC, NPC, and NPHC each have a school-wide council with representatives from each member organization. These councils are designed to facilitate communication between the different groups, and to facilitate relations with the University on matters such as school-wide events and membership. In addition to the recognized organizations there are several unrecognized organizations including a local Christian fraternity and a local Christian sorority.
During the first few weeks of school, freshmen are "rushed", a period of recruitment where all Greek organizations host events and attempt to recruit new members. Fraternities promote their events with signs, calendars, personal visits, and by painting the bull dog, a campus tradition.
WKUF-LP
The low-power radio station WKUF-LP is run by Kettering University students and staff. It was founded in November 2004.
Notable alumni
Kettering University has approximately 28,000 alumni.
See also
References
- ^ Kettering University Key Dates
- ^ As of June 30, 2009. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2009 Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2008 to FY 2009" (PDF). 2009 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. http://www.nacubo.org/Documents/research/2009_NCSE_Public_Tables_Endowment_Market_Values.pdf. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
- ^ New president named
- ^ a b As of April 2011. [1]
- ^ As of April 2011. [2]
- ^ Inventor of the week, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- ^ U.S. News and World Report
- ^ Kettering Fast Facts
- ^ General Motors Training and Education
- ^ Charles Kettering biography
- ^ Yahoo College Facts
- ^ Princeton Review
- ^ Kettering University | Best College | US News
- ^ Kettering Undergraduate Programs
- ^ Kettering Graduate Programs
- ^ Academic Programs
- ^ Early assurance - News Article - Kettering University
- ^ Assurance agreement - News Article - Kettering University
- ^ Kettering Employer Partners
- ^ Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation
- ^ a b Peterson's College Close-Up
- ^ Whatsupdowntown
- ^ fuelcellworks
- ^ Kettering Facts
- ^ College Data
- ^ Kettering University History of Greek Life
External links
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