BYU-Idaho Automotive Alumni & Student Newsletter
Fall 2017
School is Back in Session
It is hard to believe that another summer is over and students are heading back to school. We wanted to send out a quick update to keep all of you in the loop about what is happening on campus and around the world with the BYUI automotive program, its students and alumni.
Welcome to the newest Automotive Faculty Member: Enrique Reyes
Enrique Reyes will be joining us as a full-time faculty member in the Automotive program beginning this fall semester. He is a graduate of BYU-Idaho and has several years of industry experience. Prior to coming here he Earned his Master's Degree in Career Technical Education at Western Michigan University. He also taught for seven years at Ivy Tech Community College and Southwestern Michigan College. His experience and skills will be a great asset to the current and future students of BYU-Idaho.
Why We Do What We Do
No matter how far you move from Rexburg or how many years go by, we hope that you will always cherish your time at BYUI and feel a connection with the automotive program.
We strongly believe that contrary to what we hear so often in the media today, that it is possible for people to have an exciting career where they can make a difference and get paid well, too!
We hope that while you are in school we can give you the confidence and the tools you need to begin your journey, and that following graduation you can continue on a path of learning, growing and doing what you love as you support your families and give back to others.
Supermileage Team Succeeds
The BYU-Idaho Supermileage team traveled to Marshall, Michigan this summer to compete in the SAE Supermileage competition. They took the vehicle that they built, which was designed for optimum fuel efficiency.
After several challenges and setbacks, the team ultimately succeeded, placing 10th overall and achieving 408 mpg.
This group of students worked extremely hard to accomplish this and are already preparing to beat their record at the 2018 competition.
Still Growing!
As of this Fall semester, there are now over 330 majors in the automotive program at BYUI. As the largest automotive bachelor's degree program in the United States, it has continued gain national attention from employers and others in the industry. Several new organizations began recruiting our students on campus this past year, with even more coming this fall. We are excited to host FCA this semester for their fist visit to campus.
The reputation of BYU-Idaho's automotive program has continued to grow as you (our alumni) have spread across the globe and continue to add great value to the organizations you work with. Thank you for all that you do!
Student Spotlights
Hailey Tuchtenhagen is working at Case New Holland in Illinois, helping to test drivelines and materials for the agricultural equipment manufacturer.
Miguel Lopez is employed by Jasper Engines in Indiana as a Quality Captain. He works in the gasoline engine division to ensure parts meet or exceed OEM standards and specifications.
John Mastin recently graduated and is working for Toyota of North America in Texas as an Automotive Technology Trainee, with the goal of becoming a product engineer.
Adam Rutledge is currently an intern at Volkswagen of America where he works in the Electronics Research Laboratory in California.
In the News:
The automotive program was recently featured in some news articles. Click on the links below to see two of those articles.
How can you get involved?
- Talk to your employer about hiring BYUI automotive students or about getting involved in our advisory committee
- Update your LinkedIn Profile and connect with the automotive faculty members
- Join our "BYU-Idaho Automotive" LinkedIn group & network with students & alumni
- Share your success stories, advice, and encouragement with us; we will pass them on
- Donate financially to BYUI or an automotive student
- Tell us what we can do better!
Contact us at www.byui.edu/automotive or on LinkedIn. We'd love to hear from you!
This newsletter can be downloaded as a PDF file.