Alumni

Most magna cum laude graduates of Michigan Tech seek jobs in their field of study to begin their career. For 2005 alumnus Joe Berger (pronounced Bur-jur), who earned his bachelor's degree with a 3.8 grade point average in mechanical engineering, this was not the case. His career started on the field - playing in the National Football League. There are plenty of twists and turns on Berger's road to being a pro football . . .

Diana earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1978. She earned her Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1982 and her PhD in 1985, both from the University of California, Berkeley. She conducted research in internal combustion engines as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota and at Ford Motor Company before transitioning to patent law in 2000. She . . .

Kristin Kolodge (Schwalbach) graduated from Michigan Tech in 1995 with her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. After attending Women in Engineering during Summer Youth Programs, she was hooked. Michigan Tech was the only school she applied to. Kolodge’s career started as a contract employee for Chrysler and was hired on directly several months later. She spent 19 years at Chrysler, working to create . . .

Paul W. Fernstrum, a mechanical engineering alumnus, is chairman and past president of Menominee-based RW Fernstrum amp; Co., a third-generation family-owned company that invented—and continues to manufacture and market—the Gridcooler keel cooler, a marine engine heat exchanger, which was developed during World War II for landing craft. Paul began his career at RW Fernstrum as a draftsman. In 1975 he . . .