Alumni

1952–2022 Pat grew up in Ferndale, Michigan, and went on to graduate from Michigan Technological University in 1975 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. His mom was from London, England. She was 14 during the London ‘blitz’ of WWII. His dad, from west Tennessee, flew for the Army Air Force in B-17s as a recon photographer. His dad met his mom while on leave in London, by pretending he was lost! Pat grew interested . . .

Bob Thresher earned a B.S. Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1962. He returned to Michigan Tech after working for the Boeing Company to receive a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1967, followed by a Ph.D. from Colorado State University in 1970. After completing his doctorate, he worked as a Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington D.C. He then spent four years as an assistant professor . . .

Judy Swann earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1983. Following graduation, she accepted a position as a Patent Examiner with the Patent and Trademark Office of the United States Department of Commerce in Alexandria, Virginia. Judy has remained with the Patent Trademark Office throughout her career, and now serves as a supervisory Patent Examiner. During the course of her career . . .

Nancy graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. She also attended the Ford College Graduate Program. After this, she worked as a Product Design Engineer for over three years and was responsible for design and development of an all-new power tilt, power-telescoping column at Ford Motor Company. She was awarded US Patent No. 5,520,416 Power Tilt, Telescoping . . .