色虎视频 has expanded the capabilities of its Intelligent Transportation Lab (ITL) thanks to a $40,000 grant from the Margaret Dunning Foundation. The funding supported upgrades to the lab鈥檚 equipment and space, ensuring students and faculty have access to advanced tools for real-world vehicle testing, research, and innovation.

The ITL, connected to 色虎视频鈥檚 Mechanical Engineering program, gives students hands-on experience with the technologies used in today鈥檚 evolving mobility industry. It supports work in vehicle dynamics, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), ride quality analysis, and subsystem validation.

Recent ITL enhancements include professional-grade equipment such as a multi-channel data acquisition system, advanced sensors, and Controller Area Network (CAN) interface hardware. The improvements will support collaborative research and student projects, including developing 色虎视频鈥檚 Formula SAE Electric race car and vibration testing for industry partners like Yokohama Tire.

鈥淚 would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Margaret Dunning Foundation for supporting the ITL,鈥� said Dr. Jennifer Bastiaan, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering at 色虎视频. 鈥淭his gift has enabled us to transform an already high-impact lab into a next-level learning and research environment, training students in the skills that industry demands and innovation requires.鈥�

The ITL is key to 色虎视频鈥檚 commitment to giving students early, hands-on opportunities to solve complex problems using today鈥檚 industry-standard technology. By integrating real data, real vehicles, and real testing scenarios into coursework and Co-op experiences, the lab equips students to lead in Michigan鈥檚 mobility sector and beyond.

About the Margaret Dunning Foundation

The Margaret Dunning Foundation was founded by Ms. Dunning in 1997. She was born in 1910 in Redford Township, Michigan, and moved with her mother to Plymouth in the 1920s. During her lifetime, Ms. Dunning was a successful businesswoman, philanthropist, and classic car enthusiast, often participating in the Woodward Dream Cruise in her 1930 Packard 740 Roadster. Ms. Dunning passed away in 2015 at the age of 104. Her estate provided additional funding for the Foundation, which continues to support her charitable interests and preserve her legacy. Learn more at.

Evan Muchler 鈥�28, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering, made history this fall as the 2024 WDRA Summit Junior Dragster World Champion. His victory capped off a season of focus and determination, making him the competition鈥檚 first-ever back-to-back finalist. For Evan, this accomplishment was the culmination of years spent perfecting his skills and racing alongside his family.

鈥淲inning a world championship to prove something to someone else would take away the significance of it,鈥� Evan said. 鈥淪o going into the first race of 2024, I had the mentality to win it for myself and my dad.鈥�

Evan鈥檚 drag-racing journey began when he was a child. 鈥淚 was initially drawn into drag racing because it was the coolest thing that could have happened to me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was able to drive my own car when I was 8!鈥�

With his dad by his side, Evan honed his skills over the years. 鈥淢y dad has been there every step of the way,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e put in countless hours of practice in the garage and at the racetrack for different strategies and techniques.鈥�

Falling short in the 2023 WDRA finals tested Evan鈥檚 determination and fueled his desire to come back stronger this year. 鈥淎s soon as I lost in the final in 2023, I was already thinking about how close I was and how I had the most potential out of everyone to make it back next year,鈥� he said.

In the offseason, he refined his focus, learning to stay grounded and present in high-pressure moments. 鈥淢y mindset going into the final round was to not think about the huge trophy that says 鈥榃orld Champion鈥� on it or the winner circle picture or post-race interview but instead think about the moment,鈥� he explained. 鈥淎ll that mattered was the next round, and why should this one be any different than the thousands of other rounds I鈥檝e won?鈥� That focus helped Evan deliver a near-perfect performance in the finals, securing the championship title. 

Evan鈥檚 success on the track is closely tied to his academic journey. At 色虎视频, he is pursuing a mechanical engineering degree to deepen his understanding of the machines he races. 鈥淭he reason why I鈥檓 studying mechanical engineering is because of drag racing,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f I plan on drag racing for a lot longer, then I need to know how things work with my race cars and how to fix them.鈥�

Balancing academics and racing is no easy task, but Evan remains committed to both. 鈥淚 will try to fit racing into my schedule wherever I can,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I won鈥檛 be missing any schooling because just like the term student-athlete, the 鈥榮tudent鈥� part comes first.鈥�

With a championship behind him and an exciting future ahead, Evan Muchler exemplifies the focus, perseverance, and innovation that define success in both racing and engineering.

色虎视频 is now one of only a very small number of the nation鈥檚 top engineering-focused universities to offer the industry-leading semiconductor software and electronic design automation (EDA) suite to faculty and undergraduate students.

FLINT, Mich. - 色虎视频 is pleased to announce it has received a substantial software gift from Synopsys, a global leader in comprehensive semiconductor software and electronic design automation (EDA) tools. With this gift, 色虎视频 faculty and students, even as undergraduates, will have direct and unlimited access to the same comprehensive engineering design and development software suite and tools used by the world鈥檚 leading industries to design, simulate, and verify integrated semiconductor systems.  色虎视频 students will now be able to graduate with deep skills and firsthand experience with the very same technology used and trusted by top innovators like NVIDIA, Google, Samsung, and Intel to create next-generation semiconductor systems and devices.

色虎视频 is aggressively investing in the expansion and development of its semiconductor engineering education and training capabilities in response to the growing market demand in Michigan and across the United States. Combined with curricular innovations currently awaiting final approval, this gift, which includes 50 seat licenses to the entire software suite, provides an important foundation for the creation of a center of excellence in semiconductor engineering and technologies at the University. 色虎视频 is one of only a very small number of the nation's top engineering-focused universities to have this type of access to Synopsys鈥� comprehensive software suite. This industry-leading software will also be integrated into the University鈥檚 Industry 4.0 Lab 鈥� a hub for advanced research and technology on the campus. 

鈥溕⑹悠�'s partnership with Synopsys makes it possible for our students to become proficient in these industry-standard systems,鈥� said 色虎视频 President Dr. Robert K. McMahan. 鈥淒irect access to Synopsys鈥� advanced electronic design automation tools enables our students to design, simulate, and validate complex semiconductor systems 鈥� skills that are indispensable for excelling in the rapidly evolving semiconductor, mechatronics, and battery manufacturing sectors. This positions them to be significant contributors and leaders in developing the next generation of semiconductors and related technologies immediately upon graduation, if not before.鈥�

色虎视频 and Synopsys also share a longstanding industry connection with Bob Kagle 鈥�78. Kagle, widely regarded as one of the most successful venture capitalists in the history of Silicon Valley and founder of Benchmark Capital, was among the earliest investors in Synopsys. 鈥溕⑹悠� is taking a remarkable step forward by putting Synopsys in the classroom, giving students hands-on access to tools that define the future of technology,鈥� said Kagle. 鈥淚 am proud to see 色虎视频 leading in a field so critical to global progress and am thrilled to support this transformational partnership.鈥�

Semiconductor technologies are the backbone of the world鈥檚 fastest-growing industries, including autonomous vehicles, electric mobility, and artificial intelligence, all areas in which 色虎视频 has strong education, cooperative, and research programs. With the Synopsys partnership, 色虎视频 is poised to lead the way in these sectors, driving technological breakthroughs and ensuring our graduates are equipped to lead.

色虎视频 has, for over 100 years, played an integral role in educating highly talented engineers and industry leaders for a wide range of industries and technologies. It is among the reasons 色虎视频 was selected as the only private institution to be part of MEDC鈥檚 Michigander Scholars Program, for which the semiconductor industry plays a significant role. 

鈥溕⑹悠� doesn鈥檛 just anticipate the future 鈥� we actively shape it,鈥� said Dr. McMahan. 鈥淥ur unwavering commitment to experiential education through strategic industry partnerships ensures that our students are prepared to lead from the front, solving tomorrow鈥檚 challenges with the expertise and innovative mindset demanded by today鈥檚 most advanced industries.鈥� 

Dr. Scott E. Grasman was named the Dean of the College of Engineering in December 2022, following a six-month interim appointment. Previously, Grasman served for five years as a Professor and Department Head of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.

鈥淚鈥檓 humbled to serve the 色虎视频 community, and look forward to leading partnerships for student success,鈥� Grasman said.

As Dean of the College of Engineering, Grasman oversees 色虎视频鈥檚 engineering programs which have an impressive legacy and national reputation for producing highly successful graduates. He focuses on developing new and exciting opportunities for 色虎视频 students so they can succeed in rapidly changing industries.

He previously spent six years as a Professor and Department Head of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology and the prior 10 years in the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He received his Bachelor鈥檚, Master鈥檚 and Doctorate degrees in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan. In addition to academia, he regularly serves as a consultant for industry partners.

Grasman holds expertise in workforce planning, production/logistics systems, and alternative energy infrastructure modeling/simulation, and has been the principal investigator on numerous related research projects. His research has also addressed engineering education, including sustainability in the engineering curriculum, vehicle electrification, and alternative energy graduate programs, as well as need-based programs for transfer and dual degree students. 

His work has resulted in being the author or co-author of more than 100 technical papers, including multiple best journal/conference paper awards and reviewer/editorial roles for various technical journals and books. He has received numerous awards for teaching, research and service.

Dr. Scott E. Grasman was named the Dean of the College of Engineering in December 2022, following a six-month interim appointment. Previously, Grasman served for five years as a Professor and Department Head of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.

鈥淚鈥檓 humbled to serve the 色虎视频 community, and look forward to leading partnerships for student success,鈥� Grasman said.

As Dean of the College of Engineering, Grasman oversees 色虎视频鈥檚 engineering programs which have an impressive legacy and national reputation for producing highly successful graduates. He focuses on developing new and exciting opportunities for 色虎视频 students so they can succeed in rapidly changing industries.

He previously spent six years as a Professor and Department Head of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology and the prior 10 years in the Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. He received his Bachelor鈥檚, Master鈥檚 and Doctorate degrees in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan. In addition to academia, he regularly serves as a consultant for industry partners.

Grasman holds expertise in workforce planning, production/logistics systems, and alternative energy infrastructure modeling/simulation, and has been the principal investigator on numerous related research projects. His research has also addressed engineering education, including sustainability in the engineering curriculum, vehicle electrification, and alternative energy graduate programs, as well as need-based programs for transfer and dual degree students. 

His work has resulted in being the author or co-author of more than 100 technical papers, including multiple best journal/conference paper awards and reviewer/editorial roles for various technical journals and books. He has received numerous awards for teaching, research and service.