Nine alumni of Lawrence Technological University have been inducted into the College of Engineering Hall of Fame in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their profession and the world.
Michigan State Transportation Director Kirk Steudle speaks at the inaugural induction ceremony for the College of Engineering Hall of Fame at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield on Nov. 30. He was inducted by Edmund Yuen, chair of the Department of Civil Engineering, and Nabil Grace (right), dean of the College of Engineering.
The members of the inaugural class, who were inducted at a Nov. 30 ceremony, are:
- Todd Brooks is an engineering supervisor at Ford Motor Company’s Body and Chassis Test Lab and an aviation electronics technician with the Navy Reserve. He earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology in 2007, the same year he was named Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year.
- Edward Donley was president and chairman of Air Products and Chemicals Inc., which he joined in 1943 and grew from a small Detroit-area firm to a Fortune 500 company. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1943.
- Jennifer A. Hitchcock is executive director for Research and Technology Integration (RTI) at the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), in Warren. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1988 and a master’s degree in global leadership and management in 2009.
- William Innes made numerous contributions to the auto industry in the areas of manufacturing and product engineering during 39 years with the Ford Motor Company. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1953.
- Larry Lawson is executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Corp. andpresident of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. He leads the corporation’s military aircraftbusiness. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1980.
- A. Leon Linton is the founder and CEO of Southern Systems Inc. (SSI) of Memphis, which designs, builds, and installs custom conveyor systems for manufacturing and distribution facilities. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1962.
- Gretchen Minnhaar is an architect and an artist in Grand Rapids. She earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering in 1959.
- Kirk Steudle has served as Michigan’s transportation director since 2006 under both Democratic and Republican governors. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1987.
- Lewis Veraldi, who died in 1990, was vice president of product and manufacturing engineering at Ford Motor Company. He pioneered the car team development approach that produced the highly successful Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable in 1986. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1968.
