Ferris State Automotive students gain real-world experience servicing vehicles for campus and community members
Nov. 7, 2024
her car that students worked to repair.
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —
Kate O’Connor knew right where to go when a warning light on her Audi’s dashboard
lit up: Back to work, to see students in Ferris State University’s Automotive Service Floor.
Ferris State students working on the vehicle are pictured here.
O’Connor is dean of Ferris State’s College of Engineering Technology, which prepares
students for rewarding careers in a variety of fields. The Automotive Service Technology
program trains people to become skilled technicians able to perform preventive maintenance,
wide ranging repairs, and adjustments to all kinds of vehicles.
Students gain hands-on experience working interacting with customers and working with
vehicles in the Automotive Service Floor, which is open to the public during the fall
and spring semesters.
“This is my seventh Audi, a brand I have been faithful to as I admire their technology,”
O’Connor said. “One evening I was going to run an errand, and my husband and I determined
my car needed a battery, right away.”
O’Connor got in touch with Ferris alumnus and Assistant Professor Jeremy Themm, who
welcomed her bringing the car to the service floor, which serves a steady stream of
customers from the university and the greater community.
“Jeremy said the students could do the job and my being their dean was in no way taking
advantage of their efforts,” O’Connor said. “I was treated so professionally, from
the intake process to the installation, where assistant professor Paul McNair was
supervising students as they helped each other complete the task. It was a wonderful
learning experience to see first-hand.”
The service floor is open mornings, and customers are asked to call (231) 591-5991
oe email [email protected] to schedule an appointment.
The university does not charge for labor other than a $10 shop fee to cover some costs.
Customers are charged for parts, which are purchased through Ferris State’s accounts
to ensure repair accuracy, part warranty, and timely vehicle turnaround.
Ferris State has been a leader in automotive training for more than 50 years.
Students can earn an associate degree in the Automotive Service Technology program,
then have the opportunity to build upon their education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree
in automotive management or Automotive Engineering Technology within the School of
Automotive and Heavy Equipment.
The Automotive Engineering Technology program that prepares students to apply basic
engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals
engaged in developing, manufacturing, and testing self-propelled ground vehicles and
their systems.
The Automotive Management degree offers a blend of technical expertise and management
skills and principles. The program provides practical exercises and project work that
use current industry examples, processes and systems to simulate realistic research
and problem-solving situations at manufacturer, supplier and retailer levels.
O’Connor expects to be a return customer. She recently acquired an 1978 MGB, sharing
her father’s love for MG sports cars.
“I had some service done, with a Ferris-educated technician handling that work,” O’Connor
said. “Our conversation about the car and his education was delightful and I was very
impressed by the work done. I know now I can look to our Automotive students on the
service floor and program graduates with area shops, when I am looking to have maintenance
or repairs done, down the line.”
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