William L. Kozyra '80, chairman of the board, CEO & president, TI Automotive and Lawrence Berkowski '83, '85, group vice president, BASF Corporation, were recognized as the College of Engineering & Science alumni of year during the College's 78th Annual Slide Rule Dinner Dance, March 27 at the Detroit Cobo Conference Center.

William Kozyra '80

Engineering Alumnus of the Year
William L. Kozyra graduated in 1980 with a bachelor's 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 America, 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.

Lawrence Berkowski '83, '85

Science Alumnus of the Year
Lawrence A. Berkowski received his bachelor's in Chemistry from the University in 1983 and his master's 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 has been actively involved with the University. He has been a member of 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.

At the 2010 Slide Rule Dinner (left to right): UDM President Gerard Stockhausen, S.J., Alumni of the Year Lawrence Berkowski and William Kozyra, and E&S Dean Leo Hanifin.

Faculty awards
The College also recognized several faculty members with awards at the dinner. Biology Professor R. Gerard Albright, S.J., received the Cornerstone Award. Recalling St. Peter who was the "cornerstone" of the Catholic Church, the Cornerstone Award honors a person who has given many years of service for the betterment of the College, who has been an inspiration to students and faculty alike, and who has left a distinctive influence on the College that will last for many years to come.

E&S Dean Leo Hanifin (right) presents Biology Professor R. Gerard Albright, S.J., with the Cornerstone Award.

The award for Science Faculty of the Year went to Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry Matthew Mio, and the Engineering Faculty of the Year award was presented to Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering James Lynch.

Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry Matthew Mio (left) and Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering James Lynch.

To view photos from the Slide Rule Dinner, visit the online gallery.