The prestige of UDM’s engineering programs has been a century in the making. During the 2011-2012 school year, the College of Engineering & Science celebrates the Engineering Centennial with a series of social events, educational presentations and special symposia to reflect on program achievements and focus on the future. It is planning for its second century through innovative programs, enhanced facilities and technology, and funding to support new initiatives.  

Celebrating the Centennial 

Centennial activities began Sept. 22 with recognition at Celebrate Spirit!, an annual University event that launches the school year; James Paul, a leader of Engineers Without Borders, was the featured speaker. On Sept. 30, approximately 340 alumni, corporate partners and friends celebrated the accomplishments of the University’s engineering programs at the Engineering Centennial Gala at Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich.  

The celebration continued the next day, Oct. 1, on the McNichols Campus as alumni and guests attended an Open House to view student projects and demonstrations, tour facilities, attend Mass and later dine at the Dakota Inn, a long-time favorite of alumni. A time capsule dating from March 1987 was opened at the Open House.  On Oct. 3, the campus community celebrated the Centennial with a picnic lunch and anniversary cake. Visit the Engineering 100 site to view photos and video from the celebration events.

On Nov. 3, the College hosted Ford Innovation Day with keynote speaker Alan Mulally, president & CEO of Ford Motor Company and a presentation by Derrick Kuzak ’73, ’74, ’76, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company.

Watch Mulally's presentation online.

Student winners of the Ford Innovation Contest were also recognized with their project entries. The contest objective this year was for student teams to identify opportunities that could improve existing vehicles – by developing innovative product concepts and designs that arise from emerging technologies. From 26 team entries, the final five teams included two from UDM, two from Villanova University and a team from St. Louis University, which was named the first-place winner of the competition. 

On Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, Bob Lutz, former vice chairman of General Motors Corporation, will speak on “Car Guys vs. Bean Counters” on the McNichols Campus. To learn more about upcoming Centennial activities, visit udmercy.edu/eng100  

Planning for the second century

Since the first engineering class was offered on Oct. 2, 1911, the College has awarded more than 13,000 engineering degrees in 17 different undergraduate and graduate programs. Graduates have made significant contributions to their professions and to society. Many have risen to top positions at leading corporations, including serving as president at Ford Motor Company; as CEO at DTE Energy; and as vice presidents at Xerox, Lear, GE, Boeing, General Dynamics and many other leading companies. Engineering graduates, including four deans of engineering colleges, also made profound contributions in government and higher education.  

College of Engineering & Science Dean Leo Hanifin noted, “This 100^th anniversary is a prestigious milestone for the University and the City of Detroit, but it goes well beyond that. The legacy of our engineering program is felt by the people and places around the world that have been positively impacted by the knowledge, skill and ingenuity of our graduates and faculty.”  

In recognition of this significant anniversary, the University has launched the Centennial Fund. The Second Century portion of the fund is being used for new programs, faculty development, enhanced learning tools, scholarships and pre-college programs. The Centennial Fund also is being used to heighten awareness of UDM’s engineering programs through a marketing campaign and Centennial activities this year. The marketing campaign includes radio, high school newspaper and online advertising; billboards and a new brochure. Recruitment efforts are expanded to include more out-of-state college fairs and increased mailings to prospective engineering students.  In addition, the first 100 freshman engineering students to enroll for Fall 2012 will receive a free “Centennial” laptop computer loaded with engineering software.  

To date, the fund has raised more than $1.1 million. Generous support has come from corporations and engineering alumni (see udmercy.edu/eng100). “This fund will help us attract the next generation of engineering students to UDM that is larger, better prepared and more diverse,” explained Hanifin.

For 100 years, the University of Detroit Mercy’s engineering programs have been defined by a character of quality, a spirit of service and a vitality that is continually renewed through innovation.

“Science and technology are powerful engines for making the world better, and our engineering graduates can help change the world,” said Hanifin.   “We not only teach our students to be competent engineers, we imbue them with the confidence, the mindset and the passion to become change agents.”

It is a significant legacy to build on as the engineering programs begin their second century at UDM.