Tenneco is partnering with Michigan State University College of Engineering’s CoRe Experience program, designed to engage first-year engineering students in experiential learning opportunities inside and outside of the classroom.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication took place on Oct. 14 at MSU’s Wilson Hall, where Tenneco sponsored the renovation of the fifth floor lobby as a workspace for students to gather and collaborate on projects, activities and networking. Lou Anna Simon, MSU president; Brian Kesseler, Tenneco’s chief operating officer; Leo Kempel, College of Engineering dean; and other College of Engineering and Tenneco team members gathered to dedicate the new fifth floor lobby.
“We are pleased to support MSU’s CoRe Experience program. Our support of this initiative is driven by Tenneco’s commitment to engage and develop future talent and prepare them for cross-disciplinary functions within an organization like ours,” said Kesseler. “We look forward to growing our partnership with MSU to ensure that students have the resources and opportunities that will give them a strong foundation for an engineering career.”
Kempel thanked Tenneco for the nearly $300,000 gift and the support it will provide CoRe students. “As a global leader in automotive technology, Tenneco’s interest in and support of our students will help them become the professionals we need to tackle the world’s transportation challenges. Tenneco and MSU are a good match to guide future Spartan Engineers into creative solutions that reflect their passion for performance and efficiency,” he said.
Tenneco’s support of MSU’s College of Engineering encompasses several key areas. In the past year, the company has sponsored first-year design courses and led four senior capstone mechanical engineering projects. In addition, Tenneco is collaborating with the University and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) on an advanced combustion research program for undergraduate and graduate engineering students from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed to seek solutions to reduce fuel consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) and criteria pollutant emissions.
