Students from MSU’s Formula, Baja, Solar, MotoE, Rocketry and Concrete Canoe teams were onsite to receive a special delivery from Ford Motor Company. The 2023 F-350 Super Duty truck arrived at the William A. Demmer Engineering Centeron March 19, just in time for the upcoming competition season.
“The truck means a great deal to us,” said Owen Winegar, a senior electrical engineering student and MSU Solar Racing Team captain. “With three racing teams and several other student competition teams all needing access to vehicles and trailers throughout the year, having this truck is huge. It helps with competitions, testing and transporting materials, and having a newer vehicle also makes a big difference for safety and reliability.”
Three MSU mechanical engineering alumni from Ford were instrumental in securing the truck donation and presenting it to the College of Engineering. Director of Global Certification & Program Compliance Mike Landry ‘95, Chief Sustainability, Environment and Safety Officer Bob Holycross ’93, and Chief Engineer Ford Racing Elite Vehicles & Niche Projects Greg Goodall ’00 and ’02, rallied to make the donation and event possible for engineering students preparing for successful careers in industry.
"At Ford, our 123-year legacy relies on strong partnerships, and our relationship with Michigan State University reflects our shared values in driving Michigan’s innovation economy. As a proud MSU alumnus, I know these students are future colleagues whose Spartan work ethic and technical expertise will help turn Ford’s long-term vision into reality. By supporting these teams, we are ensuring the next generation of automotive leaders gain the hands-on experience they need to hit the ground running,” Holycross said. “Super Duty F-350 provides unmatched capability, and above all, this Built Ford Tough truck ensures the students get to their competitions safely and on time.”
An added bonus for students—a bird's eye view into a Ford Mustang GTD that Goodall arranged to have onsite for the event.Parked in the very workshop where student teams prepare for competition, the limited-production performance supercar showcased state-of-the-art racing technology and what pushing the boundaries of performance looks like.
“Getting an up-close look at the Mustang GTD was really valuable for our team,” said Abigale Short, MSU Baja team member and first year mechanical engineering preference student. “We could see the suspension, the engine and the kind of high-performance engineering that goes into a car like that. Our own cars are much simpler, so seeing that level of design in person was both inspiring and helpful.”
Close collaboration with industry and real-world learning experiences are essential components for delivering a world-class education and filling the talent pipeline.
“Today is a perfect example of how industry and MSU collaborate to prepare a practice-ready workforce,” said College of Engineering Interim Dean John Papapolymerou. “This donation is a game changer for our teams as they rely heavily on trucks and trailers for project development, testing and competition travel. We are grateful to Ford and our alumni for helping us position students for success.”
To learn more about the student competition teams benefiting from Ford’s generosity, read Student teams shine at William A. Demmer Engineering Center During MSU Family Weekend.
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