"You’ve earned a degree that requires a lot of hard work and discipline, and you have done it at a world-class University."
"Our discipline mandates our commitment to the public."
"You guys have had to endure the toughest undergraduate curriculum there is, in my opinion."
"We’re talking about the need to be able to work and communicate with people."
"My younger brothers and sisters, this place is tough! But you have faced this challenge, and soon you will receive your degrees."
"Your education cannot be taken away from you. That’s yours. You’ve earned it; it goes with you. But your reputation, however, is something you will have to continue to earn each and every day."
"The only thing we really have is our reputation. That’s what people remember."
"Seek opportunities to innovate, to be creative."
"Nine times out of ten the issue is not going to be that you didn’t do enough testing, or you don’t have enough information. Very often it will be the case that the facts are there, and they’re inconvenient."
"Your training and the challenges you have faced at Michigan Tech have made you mentally tough and intellectually sharp: forged in the hot furnace of the mechanical engineering department, quenched, and tempered until you are a problem-solving piece of high-temper intellectual steel."
"Your reputation is precious. It’s hard to repair, and you must protect it at all costs."
"Don’t confuse what you want the outcome to be with what the reality is."
"There are no limits for those who can hack the drill at this University."
"Never compromise on values that could reflect on your personal integrity and your reputation, or that of your employer."
"As you go through your professional life, there is nothing more important than credibility."
"My advice tonight, Ladies and Gentlemen, my younger brothers and sisters, is to take the next ten years and get as much additional education and real-world experience as you possibly can."
"Ethics are the cornerstone in business, and it doesn’t matter if you’re an engineer, an accountant, a salesperson."
"Furthering your education will give you options that others don’t have: the option to choose and the opportunity to be chosen."
"Do good wherever you go."
"As you go through your professional life, there is nothing more important than credibility."
"I'm the engineer and I've got your back."
"What I was able to experience far exceeded or went beyond any dreams that I had."
"Think about what your values are. Because first and foremost, you must know yourself completely."
"Project a positive attitude. Be direct. Use your ears. Be empathetic. Remain humble. Maintain a sense of humor."
"We really do impact the health and welfare of the people that we work with."
Banquet Keynote Speakers
Lawrence W. Staley
Fall 2019 Banquet
The speaker was Lawrence W. Staley, entrepreneur. Larry Staley graduated from Michigan Tech in 1986 with a bachelor's in degree in mechanical engineering and later went on to receive an Executive MBA at the University of Toledo.
Heidi A. Mueller
Fall 2018 Banquet
The keynote speaker was Heidi A. Mueller, Supervisor – 2.3L GTDI Engine Calibration, Ford Motor Company. Heidi Mueller graduated from Michigan Tech in 1993 with her bachelor’s in degree in mechanical engineering. She went on to earn her masters in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan in 1997.
Jolyn L. Russell
Spring 2018 Banquet
They keynote speaker was Jolyn L. Russell, Deputy Program Manager, Satellite Servicing Projects Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Jolyn Russell graduated from Michigan Tech with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1998. She received her MS degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics from Virginia Tech in 2000.
Denise M. Rizzo
Fall 2017 Banquet
The speaker was Dr. Denise M. Rizzo, Senior Research Mechanical Engineer, Powertrain Modeling & Simulation Team at US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC). Rizzo is a 2014 alumna with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics.
Robin Johnson-Cash
Spring 2017 Banquet
The keynote speaker was Dr. Robin Johnson-Cash, Technical Training Manager, Ford Motor Company. Cash is a 2015 alumna with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics.
Seth Newlin
Spring 2016 Banquet
The keynote speaker was Seth Newlin, Chief Engineer, Oshkosh Airport Products, Oshkosh Corporation. Newlin is a 1994 alumnus with both a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering.
Christopher Duke
Fall 2015 Banquet
The keynote speaker for the ME-EM Senior Recognition Banquet and Order of the Engineer Program for Fall 2015 was Christopher Duke, 1995 BS in Mechanical Engineering, Design Responsible Manager – Closures, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
Jeff Zawisza
Spring 2015 Banquet
The keynote speaker was Jeff Zawisza, Fellow at Dow Chemical and a 1983 ME-EM alumnus.
Gerald E. McGlynn III
Fall 2014 Banquet
Gerald E. McGlynn III, 1984 B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Michigan Tech, Intellectual Property Attorney, Howard and Howard; J.D., cum laude, from Detroit College of Law in 1988. Mr. McGlynn graduated from Michigan Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1984.
Lee Ann Rouse
Spring 2014 Banquet
The keynote speaker for the banquet was Ms. Lee Ann Rouse, President and CEO Omni Tech International Ltd. Lee earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1987.
Timothy P. Coffield
Fall 2013 Banquet
Timothy P. Coffield earned his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, with high honors, from Michigan Technological University in 1984. He has also completed a business degree from University of Colorado.
Colleen L. Jones-Cervantes
Spring 2013 Banquet
The keynote speaker for the banquet was Colleen L. Jones-Cervantes. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1983. After graduation, Colleen joined Chevron Corporation as a Project Engineer.
Eric Roberts
Fall 2012 Banquet
Eric Roberts (1993 BSME) was the keynote speaker at the Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics Department Senior Awards Banquet on December 11, 2012. Eric graduated from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1993. He began his career as a Manufacturing / Process Engineer with Kimberly-Clark in New Milford, CT.
John Soyring
Spring 2012 Banquet
John Soyring was the keynote speaker at the Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics Department Senior Awards Banquet. After graduating from Michigan Tech with a BSEE in 1976, the L’Anse, Michigan native John Soyring joined IBM. During his 36 career with IBM, he has held a variety of technical, professional, managerial and executive positions within the company.
Paul Rogers
Fall 2011 Banquet
Dr. Paul Rogers
Executive Director for Research
US Army
Tank Automotive Research Development & Engineering
Warren MI
Stephen L. Williams
Spring 2011 Banquet
Stephen L. Williams earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1986. He went on to earn both an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. After graduation from Michigan Tech, Steve began his career in his hometown of Cadillac, MI at Cadillac Rubber & Plastics as a Project Engineer.
Glen Simula
Fall 2010 Banquet
1980 graduate Glen Simula founded GS Engineering, one of several companies that spun off of the Keweenaw Research Center.