In this deeply insightful and inspiring episode of The Thing About Cars, we welcome Dr. Bob McMahan, President of Kettering University—a revolutionary institution turning higher education on its head with a one-of-a-kind co-op model that combines rigorous academics with real-world engineering experience.
Mickey, Misty, Ben, and Tim explore how Kettering’s approach creates professionals with not just degrees but patents, leadership roles, and two and a half years of experience before they even graduate.
From the school’s roots in Flint, Michigan’s auto industry explosion to its modern-day global partnerships and pioneering programs that uplift underserved youth and inspire young women in STEM, Dr. McMahan pulls back the curtain on a model of education that’s working—and thriving.
Also in this episode:
- The young woman who pivoted from French & sociology to suspension design wizardry
- A Cadillac with fins big enough to throw shade on your garage
- Flint’s surprising renaissance, from water scandal to whitewater parks
- Why humanities matter even in a hardcore engineering environment
- That time a physicist-art historian became a university president
Plus:
- Kettering’s car culture is alive and well (and obsessed with vintage Cadillacs)
- Formula SAE, motorcycles, and the TR-6 that stole Bob’s heart
- Trivia: What do tetraethyl lead, R-12 refrigerant, and a tragic mechanical bed have in common?
🎓 Whether you’re a parent, a gearhead, or just someone who believes school should mean more than lectures and letter grades, this episode proves that education doesn’t have to be broken—it can just be reengineered.
📍Learn more at kettering.edu
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