Kettering Graduates Receive SAE Award for Automotive Excellence

WARRENDALE, Pa., Sept. 27, 2007 -

Kettering University graduates Jacob Hirschman, Justin Keiffer and Brian Kulling are recipients of SAE International's Heinz C. Prechter Award for Automotive Excellence. They were presented the award during the SAE Foundation Banquet in Detroit.

The award, established in 2003, recognizes young entrepreneurs in the automotive industry and provides seed funds to enable them to bring their ideas to fruition. The award honors the work, life and memory of Heinz C. Prechter, founder of the American Sunroof Company, now ASC Incorporated.

The SAE Foundation funds this grant. In addition to supporting the awards, recognition and scholarship programs of SAE International, the SAE Foundation develops and funds programs and incentives that foster student interest in engineering, scientific and technical education.

As seniors at Kettering University, Hirschman, Keiffer and Kulling formed an S corporation, Mid Michigan Bioenergy, with the goal of developing a biodiesel plant in their home state. They also performed un-funded research on biofuels for BOSCH and received a grant to attend the National Biodiesel Board Conference and Expo in San Diego, Calif.

Each is a member of SAE International, and each holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Kettering University.

Hirschman, originally of Alma, Mich., works for Liberty Renewable Fuels, LLC, in Owosso, Mich. Keiffer, originally of Carson City, Mich., works for Precision Shooting Equipment in Tucson, Ariz. Kulling, originally of White Lake, Mich., works for Key Plastics in Plymouth, Mich.

To set up an interview with the award recipients, please contact Dawn Hibbard at Kettering University, dhibbard@kettering.edu.

To learn more about SAE International's Heinz C. Prechter Award, please contact pr@sae.org.