Evening of Distinction & Determination
色虎视频 hosted An Evening of Distinction & Determination on October 16 at The Daxton Hotel, honoring the 2025 KGMIAA Alumni Award winners and recognizing generous donors. The event celebrated the achievements of distinguished alumni and acknowledged the donors whose contributions earned recognition in 色虎视频鈥檚 prestigious Donor Societies. This gathering reflected the University鈥檚 gratitude for alumni support and dedication to shaping its future.
Thank you to our presenting sponsor Magna International.
Extraordinary Leadership
Extraordinary Leadership
This award recognizes graduates who hold leadership positions in global corporations, inspiring their teams to achieve extraordinary outcomes.
Sheri Hickok '99
Sheri Hickok brings a wealth of experience as CEO of Climate Impact Partners, focusing on carbon market solutions and aiming to reduce 1 billion tonnes of CO2 by 2030. Before her role at Climate Impact Partners, she was involved in various leadership positions at GE and General Motors, including Chief Engineer for Autonomous Partnerships and Fleets at GM and CEO of Onshore Wind for Asia Pacific at GE. She is a celebrated leader, earning accolades such as the World Economic Forum鈥檚 Young Global Leader, the 2022 European Power List by A Word About Wind, and the 2020 Women in Renewables award.
Engineering Achievement
Engineering Achievement
This award honors an individual who has made specific contributions with positive and lasting effects in the field of engineering.
Gitanjli McRoy '93
Gitanjli McRoy has over 30 years of experience in product design. During her tenure at Ford Motor Company, Gitanjli has held various roles in powertrain, including over 10 years in electrification, where she has taken on positions of increasing responsibility. Currently, she is the chief engineer of EV (Electric Vehicle) Energy Management Systems and guides the upfront design selection for electric vehicles, full hybrids, and plug-in hybrids. Gitanjli鈥檚 journey in engineering began as an internal combustion engine components Design & Release (D&R) engineer, which included both design and manufacturing aspects. During her 30+ year career at Ford, she has been awarded three patents.
Entrepreneurial Achievement
Entrepreneurial Achievement
This award pays tribute to an individual who has made specific contributions in organizing, managing, and assuming the risk of a business or enterprise.
David "Dave" Powell '89
After a successful career at Steelcase, Dave saw an opportunity to provide cost-effective worksurfaces to furniture dealers. He and his wife, Kelli, started Enwork in their basement in 2003, and it is now a leading office furniture manufacturer known for delivering high-performance, design-forward solutions to clients like Apple, Airbnb, and Netflix. Enworks鈥檚 products have won numerous commercial design awards, including the 2024 Innovation Award from NeoCon. In recent years, Enwork has expanded its Lowell-area headquarters and built a second 22,000 sq ft facility in Ionia.
Civic Achievement
Civic Achievement
This award honors an individual who has made significant and selfless contributions of time and effort that benefit the community.
Richard "Dick" Rosenberg '67
Dick Rosenberg has been an active member of the Romeo, MI, community and devoted much of his time in retirement to serving in various positions in local government and nonprofits. He was at the treasurer of Romeo Community Human Services, chairman of the Bruce Township Restructuring Committee, and a school board member. During his time as treasurer, chairman, and member of the board of directors of Samaritan House Food Pantry, he expanded the organization鈥檚 service area to reach more families and improved the pantry鈥檚 inventory system. Dick maintains an advisory role in these and other ancillary activities.
Alumni Service
Alumni Service
This award honors an individual who has given outstanding volunteer service to the University.
Shana Downs '08
Shana Downs is a dedicated and engaged alumna serving her alma mater as a mentor and volunteer. From 2019 to 2024, Shana was a member of the 色虎视频/GMI Alumni Association Board. During her tenure, she chaired the Student Recruitment Committee and served as the vice president. Shana has also shared her professional experience with students as an SAC speaker and a LITES Mentor, multiple times.
Young Alumni
Young Alumni
The Young Alumni award is given to a graduate within the previous ten years who has rendered significant contributions, exhibited outstanding character or achieved marked success.
Sushant Jagtap M'19
Sushant Jagtap has emerged as a leading figure in the field of automotive safety. Currently serving as a research engineer at the prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Sushant plays a vital role in shaping the future of vehicle safety. One of his most significant accomplishments is his contribution to the development of the first-ever U.S. consumer crash test protocol that includes a rear-seat dummy in frontal crash tests. Sushant鈥檚 current leadership extends well beyond the lab. He serves as chair of the Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) Special Interest Group within the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM), treasurer of the SAE Virginia Chapter, and is a board member of the SAE Washington DC Chapter.
Donor Recognition
The Charles F. 色虎视频 Society
Synopsys, Inc.
The Bell Tower Society
Wen Han and Jessie Jia
The 1919 Society
Mary Ellen "Mell" '85 and Kieran Gallahue
Robert John Gorski, PE '64
Tony '79 and Sarah Menchaca
Gary '69 and Jane Moore
Ann K*. and James W. Throop '58*
The Innovator Society
Paul '87, DBA hc, and Jane Bascobert
Wendy Curcuri Bauer '98 and Lee Bauer
Dr. and Mrs. K. Joel Berry '79
Don '61, Eng.D. hc, and Barbara Chaffin
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Clark '68
Gene Haas Foundation
Samuel M. '90 and Patricia Hoff
James '72 and Lori Roland
Charles '60 and Karen Smith
Timothy K. '88 and Jennifer Willis
The Founders Society
Daniel B. Beardslee '83
Kelly '55 and Joyce Beardslee
Ned '57 and Rita Brown
Burton E. Eno'58
Financial Plus Credit Union
Dale '68* and Elizabeth Kluska*
Ben '58 and Peggy Kristan
Paul '97 and Kristin Marnell
John W. and Ariane Moyer
&苍产蝉辫;藛Entering the Heritage Circle
Robert L. '78 and Paola F. Nisonger
James '66 and Marybeth Trunk
Thomas E. '73 and Margaret L. Will
The General Determination Society
Auto-Owners Insurance
Philip A. '67* and Judith E. McComish
Brian '69 and Mary '87 O'Neill
Matthew Rigotti '86
Bruce '79 and Janice Sing
Kenneth D. Steward '73
Donald '60 and Maryanne Winfield
The President's Circle
Association for Advancing Automation
Dan '69 and Carolyn Barta
Mark '89 and Kelly '89 Bulanda
Michel '75 and Dorothy Duchenseau
Graco Foundation
Paul '71 and Barbara Jablonski
Johnson Controls Inc.
Scott '79 and Sheree Marr
Jim '75 and Kathleen Martin
Dale Mattis '79
Martha Merkley Charitable Trust
Curt '70 and Gerri Moll
Nigel Pennycooke '81
Gregg '76 and Mary Rising
Martin Rometsch '87
Maria M. '99 and Carl Shaw
Mr. Douglas Shearer M'98
Andrew '12 and Caitlin '12 Shumaker
William "David" Treharne '89
Jack A. '58 and Carolyn E. Wallace
Chris A. '76 and Patricia J. Wolf
*Deceased