Alumni

Dr. James C. Gerdeen (BSME '59) retired as Professor and Department of Mechanical Engineering Chair from the University of Colorado - Denver. After graduation, Jim worked in industry before completing his MS in 1962 from Ohio State University and later his PhD from Stanford in 1965, both in mechanical engineering. He returned to Michigan Tech as a faculty member from 1968 to 1989. He received his M. Divinity, Theology . . .

Dillon Bennetts graduated from Michigan Tech with a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology and a Minor in Naval Systems Engineering in 2022. He also earned a Master of Science Degree in Manufacturing Engineering in 2024. Dillon is currently employed with General Dynamics Electric Boat (Strategic Weapons Systems) in Groton, Connecticut, as an Engineer 1 – Systems. Dillon states: "Being a graduate of the . . .

Paul W. Fernstrum, a mechanical engineering alumnus, is chairman and past president of Menominee-based RW Fernstrum amp; Co., a third-generation family-owned company that invented—and continues to manufacture and market—the Gridcooler keel cooler, a marine engine heat exchanger, which was developed during World War II for landing craft. Paul began his career at RW Fernstrum as a draftsman. In 1975 he designed the . . .

Karl LaPeer is currently a partner at Peninsula Capital Partners, LLC, a Detroit-based $1.9 billion private equity firm.  From 1998-2009 he was Senior Vice President amp; Principal, and from 1996-1998 he was an Investment Manager. He and his partners at Peninsula Capital began with $20 million in capital back in 1995, and they have since invested over $1.5 billion, in more than 140 small and mid-sized companies with . . .