Robotics

911�� Robotics Center Awarded $20,000 GM Community Impact Grant

lmadaus — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:51:37 +0000

911�� Robotics Center Awarded $20,000 GM Community Impact Grant

Grants

Robotics

FIRST

Robotics Community Center

VEX

Robotics

lmadaus Thu, 01/08/2026 - 10:51

911�� has been awarded a $20,000 Community Impact Grant from General Motors to support robotics center programming that expands hands-on STEAM education opportunities for students in Flint and Genesee County.

The funding will support hands-on training for students and mentors involved in the university’s eight robotics teams, as well as participants in the 2026 Intro to Computer-Aided Fabrication course. Programming will include experiential learning with robotics and aerial drone technologies, providing students with direct opportunities to design, operate, and test advanced systems used in modern industries.

The grant also supports drone-focused activities that reflect growing real-world applications, including industrial inspection, logistics, and remote data collection, fields where automation and risk reduction are increasingly critical.

“Kettering’s robotics and drone programs are built around applied learning. Our students don’t just study technology, they use it,” said Kim Shumaker, Director of Kettering’s Robotics Outreach & Robotics Center. “Grants like these help ensure more students can access meaningful, hands-on STEAM experiences that connect directly to future careers.”

The award is part of a broader $300,000 Community Impact Grant investment distributed to nine Genesee County nonprofit organizations. Through the program, General Motors is supporting youth education and community-focused groups, including the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint, Factory Two, and the Flint Children’s Museum, to advance STEAM education and road safety initiatives across the region.

“Local nonprofits can do their best work when they have support from local businesses, and we’re thrilled to contribute to their amazing and tireless efforts,” said Theo Lavergne, General Motors Flint Assembly plant executive director, in a statement issued by the company.

GM’s Community Impact Grants are selected in collaboration with local General Motors and United Auto Workers leaders and are designed to strengthen educational access, workforce development, and community well-being across the Flint area.

Beyond the grant funding, General Motors reports that its Flint-area employees contributed nearly $225,000 in personal donations and more than 10,500 volunteer hours to local causes in 2025 through GM Cares.

“I love this program because it helps bring our communities together,” Lavergne said, “It supports growth and learning, and allows our team members to see the direct impact that their hands, minds, and hearts have in the areas where we live and work.”

Fueling the Future: Alumni Association Awards $27,500 to High School Robotics Teams

lmadaus — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:41:10 +0000

Fueling the Future: Alumni Association Awards $27,500 to High School Robotics Teams

lmadaus Tue, 01/06/2026 - 11:41

The 911��/GMI Alumni Association (KGMIAA) is backing the next generation of problem-solvers, announcing this week that it has awarded $27,500 in sponsorships to 55 high school robotics teams (FRC, FTC, and VEX). Teams applied from 16 different states.

This effort is part of a larger commitment by 911�� to support robotics talent nationwide, both on and off campus. From hosting pre-college camps and national competitions to awarding scholarships, Kettering is a recognized hub for students who begin their STEM journeys through robotics.

The initiative represents a strategic effort by the KGMIAA to directly support the University’s recruitment efforts. The sponsorships are funded through proceeds from the annual Major Sobey Golf Outing and the generous contributions of alumni and donors to the Boost Robotics Campaign.

These 55 teams are part of a broader national robotics ecosystem that includes thousands of FIRST, FTC, and VEX teams competing this season, many of whom will engage with Kettering through events, camps, and campus visits.

"We were truly impressed by the high quality of all applications this year," said Mike Dubeck '88, Chair of the KGMIAA Board Recruitment Committee.

This year, applicants had the option to submit a video instead of a traditional essay. According to the committee, this gave teams a chance to showcase their engineering mindset, team dynamics, and creative energy in a more personal and compelling way.

"It is inspiring to see the caliber of talent and dedication in these high school students," Dubeck said. "By supporting these teams, we are not just funding robots; we are investing in future engineers and leaders who we hope will one day call 911�� home."

The sponsored teams noted that the funds would be critical for competition success, with many planning to utilize the money for various needs, including paying for registration fees, covering travel expenses, and purchasing essential parts and equipment for their robots.

A Network of Mentors

Beyond the financial support, the campaign highlights the deep personal involvement of the University’s alumni network in STEM education. The committee reported that 112 Kettering/GMI alumni are currently actively involved with these high school teams, serving as mentors, coaches, and technical and programming advisors.

"The alumni engagement we’ve seen through robotics is phenomenal," said Eric Szczepanski, Director of Alumni Engagement at 911��. "To learn that over 100 of our alumni are out there right now, volunteering their time to mentor these students, speaks volumes about the Kettering spirit."

Szczepanski noted that this level of involvement serves as a powerful reminder that Kettering graduates are more than engineers. They’re mentors, leaders, and community builders.

The KGMIAA and 911�� wish all sponsored teams the best of luck in their upcoming competitions.

911�� Robotics Team Wins Design Award, Qualifies for VEX-U Worlds

lmadaus — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:11:24 +0000

911�� Robotics Team Wins Design Award, Qualifies for VEX-U Worlds

Robotics

lmadaus Thu, 12/18/2025 - 10:11

KUdos, 911��’s VEX-U robotics team, opened its competitive season with a strong showing at the Illini VURC Cornfield Clash 1, hosted at the Siebel Center for Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Competing against 12 university teams from across the Midwest and beyond, including Purdue University, The Ohio State University, and the Milwaukee School of Engineering, KUdos earned second place overall and secured a VEX-U Worlds qualification in its first event of the season.

Their robot pair, Luigi and Guido, named after the mechanics from the movie Cars, combined consistent on-field performance with a documented engineering process that stood out to judges.

The team also earned second place in Skills and was recognized with the Design Award, one of the most rigorous judged awards at VEX-U competitions.

Design Award Recognition

The Design Award recognizes excellence in the Engineering Design Process, team organization, and professional documentation. Judges evaluate teams on the quality and completeness of their Engineering Notebook, the clarity of their team interview, and how effectively students manage time, resources, and collaboration.

According to the award criteria, winning teams demonstrate:

A fully developed and well-organized Engineering Notebook
Clear documentation of the design process from concept through execution
Strong alignment between notebook content, robot design, and interview responses
Effective communication, teamwork, and professionalism
A student-centered approach to problem-solving and iteration

KUdos met all criteria, earning recognition for both technical rigor and presentation.

Team members included:

Nathan Nguyen ‘26, Team Captain, Design and Fabrication Lead, Drive Coach
Mactar Gueye ‘30, Programmer, Designer, Driver
Daniel Buddington ‘30, Pit Crew, Driver
William Tritremmel ‘30, Pit Crew, Human Player

With a tournament finalist finish, a Design Award win, and a Worlds qualification secured at their first event, the team now advances to VEX-U Worlds, where they will compete against top university teams from around the globe.

911��/GMI Alumni Association Awards $30,000 in Sponsorships to High School Robotics Teams Across FIRST, VEX, and FTC

rnorris — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 16:39:27 +0000

911��/GMI Alumni Association Awards $30,000 in Sponsorships to High School Robotics Teams Across FIRST, VEX, and FTC

Alumni

Kettering Combat Robotics Team

rnorris Fri, 01/24/2025 - 11:39

The 911��/GMI Alumni Association (KGMIAA) announced today it has awarded $30,000 in sponsorships to more than 60 Michigan high school robotics teams participating in FIRST, VEX, and FTC programs. The initiative reflects a core value that drives 911��: equipping young problem solvers with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to shape the future.

The sponsorships provide resources for students to build robots, compete, and deepen their STEM experience. These students are following a hands-on path that mirrors the journeys of many Kettering and GMI alumni who began their careers with an early passion for STEM.

“We are incredibly proud to support these bright, motivated students who are exploring their interests in engineering and technology through hands-on experience,” said Joe Lemieux ’85, outgoing president of the KGMIAA. “Many of us — alumni of Kettering and GMI — can trace our own careers back to the formative experiences we had in high school and early college. These sponsorships not only provide the students with the resources to excel in their robotics competitions but also encourage their growth in STEM fields as they prepare for their future careers. These efforts also allow us to raise awareness of 911�� as a leading institution for STEM education and open the door for many students to consider us as the next step in their academic journey.”

KGMIAA’s sponsorships go beyond financial support. The Association also recognizes alumni who dedicate their time and expertise to mentor high school robotics teams, serving as coaches and advisors. This hands-on mentorship ensures students have guidance as they navigate competitions and plan their futures in STEM fields.

“We owe a great deal of thanks to our alumni who volunteer as coaches and mentor the next generation of robotics enthusiasts,” said Lorenzo Jones ’89, incoming president of the KGMIAA. “Their dedication to supporting their high school alma maters or their children’s teams is invaluable, and it’s inspiring to see how they continue to give back to their community. At the same time, these sponsorships introduce students to Kettering’s outstanding programs, creating opportunities for them to envision their future here with us.”

For 911�� and its alumni, this initiative underscores a commitment to investing in young innovators, providing them with experiences that build confidence, technical expertise, and a passion for tackling real-world challenges.

For a complete list of robotics teams that received a 2025 KGMIAA sponsorship, visit /robotics/kgmiaa-sponsorships.

About the 911��/GMI Alumni Association
The Kettering/GMI Alumni Association (KGMIAA) unites alumni in support of 911��’s mission to advance STEM education and innovation. With a focus on fostering lifelong loyalty, promoting core values, and providing financial support, the KGMIAA serves as a key resource for University leadership and alumni engagement. Membership is automatic for all graduates of Kettering/GMI, with no membership fees required. The KGMIAA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Learn more at kettering.edu/alumni.

911�� Awarded $25,000 in Grants for Robotics Center and Pre-College Robotics Programs

rnorris — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:08:13 +0000

911�� Awarded $25,000 in Grants for Robotics Center and Pre-College Robotics Programs

Campus

Kettering Combat Robotics Team

Grants

Robotics

FIRST

Robotics Community Center

Robotics

rnorris Tue, 02/20/2024 - 10:08

911��’s Robotics program has received $25,000 in grants from three organizations to support pre-college robotics camps and to purchase machining equipment for its Robotics Community Center.

Those philanthropic organizations and contributions include:

The Arthur G. Bishop Charitable Trust - $10,000
The James A. Welch Foundation - $10,000
The Nartel Family Foundation - $5,000

“The grants from the Arthur G. Bishop Charitable Trust, James A. Welch Foundation, and Nartel Family Foundation will empower students in Genesee County to attend Kettering's transformative summer camps, learn new skills and explore a college campus,” said Kim Shumaker, Robotics Community Center and Robotics Outreach Director at 911��.

The 9,600-square-foot Robotics Community Center opened in 2014. It features machining and designing areas, a regulation-size practice field and bays for robotics teams to store equipment.

Kettering’s pre-college robotics camps sharpen student's collaborative problem-solving abilities through hands-on activities. Because students are interested in many different aspects of robotics, camps cover various topics from programming to design to construction to leadership. Because all camps take place at Kettering, students are immersed in the college environment and can choose between day camps and residential camps.

The $10,000 grant from the Arthur G. Bishop Charitable Trust will help Flint and Genesee County students overcome financial barriers to participating in pre-college summer camps at Kettering and gaining experience with various robotics programs, including aerial drones. The grant also helps fund Robotics Center mobile camps and workshops, which can bring fun and learning through robotics to schools or facilities in underserved communities.

"Educational opportunities in Genesee County are key to our mission, so we are honored to continue our support of 911��'s stellar Engineering and Computer Science programs," said Dennis Leyder, Trustee of the Arthur G. Bishop Charitable Trust. “Besides expanding their understanding of robotics, students will gain teamwork skills to prepare them for the future. The students come away with a sense of accomplishment, and—best of all—it's fun.”

Similarly, the $10,000 grant from the James A. Welch Foundation will help reduce financial barriers for students from Genesee County, enabling them to participate in pre-college summer camps at 911�� and build their interest in STEM through various robotics programs, including drones.

"The Welch Foundation has awarded many grants to 911�� due to their support and outreach to Genesee County students and their cultivation and identification of talented youth," said Dr. Gail Ganakas, President of the James A Welch Foundation. "911��’s robotics programs engage teams to explore their gifts and talents in STEM activities. Students are provided opportunities to demonstrate higher-level thinking skills that often go unrecognized."

The $5,000 grant from the Nartel Family Foundation will fund the purchase and installation of a computer numerical control (CNC) machine in the Robotics Center. Students can cut various parts using the CNC machine and learn to use more advanced robotics build concepts such as computer-aided design (CAD).

"The Nartel Family Foundation is proud of 911��'s role in helping young people find their potential through pre-college programs and advanced machinery,” said Timm Allen, Communications Officer & Trustee of the Nartel Family Foundation. “We feel that what these young people learn and experience will help them in their future careers. We are honored to support 911��."

In addition to pre-college programs and machinery, gifts can also fund robotics scholarships. The University offered its first two scholarships to robotics students in 1999 and has awarded more than $5.5 million since then.

Robotics

911������ Robotics Center Awarded $20,000 GM Community Impact Grant

Fueling the Future: Alumni Association Awards $27,500 to High School Robotics Teams

911������ Robotics Team Wins Design Award, Qualifies for VEX-U Worlds

911������/GMI Alumni Association Awards $30,000 in Sponsorships to High School Robotics Teams Across FIRST, VEX, and FTC

911������ Awarded $25,000 in Grants for Robotics Center and Pre-College Robotics Programs

911�� Robotics Center Awarded $20,000 GM Community Impact Grant

911�� Robotics Team Wins Design Award, Qualifies for VEX-U Worlds

911��/GMI Alumni Association Awards $30,000 in Sponsorships to High School Robotics Teams Across FIRST, VEX, and FTC

911�� Awarded $25,000 in Grants for Robotics Center and Pre-College Robotics Programs