News Release
College of Engineering & Science Hosts 78th Annual Slide Rule Dinner Dance
The University of Detroit Mercy’s College of Engineering & Science will be hosting their 78th Annual Slide Rule Dinner Dance on March 27, 2010 from 6 p.m. until midnight at the Detroit Cobo Conference Center, Riverview Room. This year, William L. Kozyra, chairman of the board, CEO & president, TI Automotive and Lawrence Berkowski, group vice president, BASF Corporation will be honored for their contributions to engineering and science.
UDM Engineering Alumnus of the Year — William L. Kozyra graduated in 1980 with a Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering and received an MBA from Michigan State University in 1988. He has been the chairman of the board, CEO and president of TI Automotive for the past two years where he oversees over 100 manufacturing and technology facilities in 27 countries worldwide.
Prior to his role with TI Automotive, Kozyra was president and CEO of Continental AG North American, vice president and general manager of Bosch Braking Systems’ Brake Products division, and president of Budd Company’s Wheel and Brake Division. Kozyra has also given back to UDM and the community in numerous ways. A member of the College of Engineering & Science Advisor Board, he is also on the Alumni Advisor Council for the mechanical engineering department, and is also on the executive board for the Detroit Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Science Alumnus of the Year — Lawrence A. Berkowski received his Bachelors in Chemistry from the University in 1983 and his Masters in Chemical Engineering in 1985. He also received an MBA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Berkowski is the group vice president with BASF Corporation for the past two years. He has previously worked as business director of BASF’s Polyurethane Systems and with GE Plastics US, Europe, Corporate, and Capital for 11. Berkowski is active in serving the University. He has served on the President’s Cabinet since 1985, served on the Titan Club Board between 1990 and 2005, and is currently on the College of Engineering & Science Advisory Board.
The social part of the evening begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner, awards, and dancing at 7 p.m. For more information about tickets, contact Melanie Dara at 313-993-1218 or darame@udmercy.edu.
Release date: March 25, 2010
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