Nov. 7, 2024
Ferris State Automotive students gain real-world experience servicing vehicles for campus and community members
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.”