Lawrence Technological University
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Technological University, also known as Lawrence Tech or simply LTU, is a private university
located in Southfield, Michigan
. The school offers undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs in engineering
, science
, mathematics
, architecture
, graphic design, and business
. Lawrence Technological University's four colleges are Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Management.
Lawrence Tech was founded in 1932 in Highland Park, MI by the Lawrence brothers as the Lawrence Institute of Technology and adopted its current name in 1989. The school mascot is the blue devil, and the school colors are blue and white. Lawrence Tech moved to Southfield, Michigan from its site in Highland Park, Michigan in 1955. It is located at the Lodge and 10 Mile Road, at the present time.
Lawrence Tech has consistently been among the Top Tier for "Universities–Master's (Midwest)" by US News and World Report. It was ranked 37th out of several hundred Midwestern Universities in 2006, and 47th in 2007, 40th in 2008, and 55th in 2009. In addition, the University tied for 49th of 100 “Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs” in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Universities-Masters-Midwest in 2010. Other distinctions include: Princeton Review “Best in the Midwest” in 2010; Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognition, 2009; G. I. Jobs “Military Friendly School,” 2010; State of Michigan Center of Excellence for Sustainable Infrastructure and Structural Testing; an Intel “Top 50 Unwired Campus; a Michigan Green Leader; Architectural Record among "America’s Best Architectural Schools" in construction methods and materials; and Michigan's Going Green Award.” Bloomberg-Businessweek also reported that the earning power of a Lawrence Tech bachelor’s degree ranks in the highest 30 percent of all U.S. universities.
For nearly 80 years, Lawrence Tech has continued to prosper and accelerate its growth, hone its educational philosophy of theory and practice, build important community and professional alliances, and forge partnerships with the firms, organizations, and industries who hire Lawrence Tech alumni.
Wayne H. Buell, who served as president from 1964 to 1977 and as chair of the board and chief executive officer until 1981, worked to build a firm foundation for the University’s early emergence as a technological leader. He first advanced the notion that Lawrence Tech was a private college serving a public purpose.
Several new buildings, the addition of graduate degrees, and the massive growth of computer facilities marked the presidency of Richard E. Marburger, who served as president, 1977–93, and also as chair of the board of trustees and chief executive officer, 1981–93.
Charles M. Chambers became president in 1993 and served as chancellor in 2006. During his presidency, he oversaw significant enhancement of the University’s international reputation as a distinguished center of technological education and research. A Strategic Plan and Campus Master Plan were adopted to guide the University. Other achievements include: construction of the University Technology and Learning Center, University Housing-North; the A. Alfred Taubman Student Services Center; a redeveloped campus quadrangle; the Center for Innovative Materials Research; establishment of a Faculty Senate; conversion of the computer system to a client server model with full Internet2 connectivity and online library access; creation of Michigan’s first completely wireless laptop campus; and expanded bookstore, dining, and student activity facilities.
Lewis N. Walker was named interim president in February 2006, became president on July 1, and was inaugurated on November 2, 2006. He had previously served as provost, the University’s chief academic officer, and executive vice president. Walker is committed to developing the leadership skills of Lawrence Tech’s students and is working with faculty to add a leadership component to the curricula of all undergraduate programs. In addition, he is forging partnerships with universities worldwide that bring international students to campus and provide further opportunities for Lawrence Tech students to study abroad.
Lawrence Tech was founded on the principle that every person should have the opportunity for a college education. From the beginning, there were no restrictions on entering students relating to race, color, creed, or national or ethnic origin—only the requirement that students qualify for admission and have the desire to succeed. Working students could earn a baccalaureate degree by attending evening programs, day programs, or a combination of the two—a feature unique in 1932 and still remarkable today.
The school was originally called Lawrence Institute of Technology. Its present name, Lawrence Technological University, was approved on January 1, 1989, by the State of Michigan, and more clearly describes Lawrence Tech’s undergraduate and graduate mission.
Lawrence Tech was founded as a college of engineering with only a few hundred students and a handful of faculty. Today it offers over 60 programs in four colleges, with a total enrollment of nearly 5,000 students, and employs over 400 full- and part-time faculty. In terms of enrollment, Lawrence Tech is among Michigan’s largest independent colleges.
In 1950, associate programs were added to Lawrence Tech’s baccalaureate offerings. In 1952 the College of Management was created, having its origins in an earlier industrial engineering curriculum. Master’s degree programs in management were launched in 1989. The College of Architecture and Design evolved in 1962 from the former architectural engineering department and in 1993 launched a Master of Architecture program. The College of Arts and Sciences was established in 1967. Master’s degree programs in engineering were begun in 1990 and in Arts and Sciences in 1997. Doctoral programs were launched in 2002.
Concurrently, there has been an enormous expansion and improvement of facilities. The University’s first campus was located in Highland Park, in a building leased from Henry Ford adjacent to the huge manufacturing facility where he built the Model T and perfected the moving assembly line. As enrollment grew, the University acquired acreage in Southfield and in 1955 opened its first building on what had been a General Mills research farm. The campus has since expanded to over 100 acre (0.404686 km²) and 12 major buildings, as well as the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Affleck House in Bloomfield Hills, which was donated to the University in 1978.
In 1977, Lawrence Tech shed its “commuter” classification by opening the nine-story University Housing-South residence hall. The 1980s and 1990s were distinguished by the opening of the Wayne H. Buell Management Building and the Don Ridler Field House, numerous improvements to existing buildings, and a substantial increase in state-of-the-art laboratory and computer equipment. The University Technology and Learning Center opened in 2001, University Housing-North in 2002, and the A. Alfred Taubman Student Services Center and the Center for Innovative Materials Research in 2006.
and competes as an independent
member; however, the university will join the In 2012 the university will join the Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) for the 2012-13 academic year. The men's ice hockey team is a member of the participates in the American Collegiate Hockey Association
at the Division III
level as a member of the Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference
(MCHC).
Lawrence Tech reinstated athletic programs in 2011 and joined the NAIA. Men’s soccer and bowling, along with women’s volley joined the already established men's ice hockey team for the university's athletic offerings during the 2011-12 academic year. During its second season in the NAIA the university will begin competition in men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men's lacrosse, and women’s soccer.
Lawrence Tech fielded athletic teams throughout it's history from 1930 to the 1962. The 1950-51 men’s basketball team played the 1951 National Invitation Tournament
, held at Madison Square Garden
in New York.
Lawrence Tech was defeated by Dayton
, 71-77 in the opening round of the tournament. Blaine Denning, an alumni from the 1951 team went on to play professional basketball with the Baltimore Bullets
of the NBA.
Private university
Private universities are universities not operated by governments, although many receive public subsidies, especially in the form of tax breaks and public student loans and grants. Depending on their location, private universities may be subject to government regulation. Private universities are...
located in Southfield, Michigan
Southfield, Michigan
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which 0.04% is water. The main branch of the River Rouge runs through Southfield. The city is bounded to the south by Eight Mile Road, its western border is Inkster Road, and to the east it is bounded by Greenfield Road...
. The school offers undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs in engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, graphic design, and business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
. Lawrence Technological University's four colleges are Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Management.
Lawrence Tech was founded in 1932 in Highland Park, MI by the Lawrence brothers as the Lawrence Institute of Technology and adopted its current name in 1989. The school mascot is the blue devil, and the school colors are blue and white. Lawrence Tech moved to Southfield, Michigan from its site in Highland Park, Michigan in 1955. It is located at the Lodge and 10 Mile Road, at the present time.
Lawrence Tech has consistently been among the Top Tier for "Universities–Master's (Midwest)" by US News and World Report. It was ranked 37th out of several hundred Midwestern Universities in 2006, and 47th in 2007, 40th in 2008, and 55th in 2009. In addition, the University tied for 49th of 100 “Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs” in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Universities-Masters-Midwest in 2010. Other distinctions include: Princeton Review “Best in the Midwest” in 2010; Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognition, 2009; G. I. Jobs “Military Friendly School,” 2010; State of Michigan Center of Excellence for Sustainable Infrastructure and Structural Testing; an Intel “Top 50 Unwired Campus; a Michigan Green Leader; Architectural Record among "America’s Best Architectural Schools" in construction methods and materials; and Michigan's Going Green Award.” Bloomberg-Businessweek also reported that the earning power of a Lawrence Tech bachelor’s degree ranks in the highest 30 percent of all U.S. universities.
History
It was a firm belief in the future that motivated Russell E. Lawrence to found a university in 1932—in the midst of the economic chaos of the Great Depression. While less farsighted individuals made predictions of gloom, Russell Lawrence and his brother, E. George Lawrence (who led Lawrence Tech from 1934 to 1964), turned a dream of preparing students for leadership in the new technical era into reality.For nearly 80 years, Lawrence Tech has continued to prosper and accelerate its growth, hone its educational philosophy of theory and practice, build important community and professional alliances, and forge partnerships with the firms, organizations, and industries who hire Lawrence Tech alumni.
Wayne H. Buell, who served as president from 1964 to 1977 and as chair of the board and chief executive officer until 1981, worked to build a firm foundation for the University’s early emergence as a technological leader. He first advanced the notion that Lawrence Tech was a private college serving a public purpose.
Several new buildings, the addition of graduate degrees, and the massive growth of computer facilities marked the presidency of Richard E. Marburger, who served as president, 1977–93, and also as chair of the board of trustees and chief executive officer, 1981–93.
Charles M. Chambers became president in 1993 and served as chancellor in 2006. During his presidency, he oversaw significant enhancement of the University’s international reputation as a distinguished center of technological education and research. A Strategic Plan and Campus Master Plan were adopted to guide the University. Other achievements include: construction of the University Technology and Learning Center, University Housing-North; the A. Alfred Taubman Student Services Center; a redeveloped campus quadrangle; the Center for Innovative Materials Research; establishment of a Faculty Senate; conversion of the computer system to a client server model with full Internet2 connectivity and online library access; creation of Michigan’s first completely wireless laptop campus; and expanded bookstore, dining, and student activity facilities.
Lewis N. Walker was named interim president in February 2006, became president on July 1, and was inaugurated on November 2, 2006. He had previously served as provost, the University’s chief academic officer, and executive vice president. Walker is committed to developing the leadership skills of Lawrence Tech’s students and is working with faculty to add a leadership component to the curricula of all undergraduate programs. In addition, he is forging partnerships with universities worldwide that bring international students to campus and provide further opportunities for Lawrence Tech students to study abroad.
Lawrence Tech was founded on the principle that every person should have the opportunity for a college education. From the beginning, there were no restrictions on entering students relating to race, color, creed, or national or ethnic origin—only the requirement that students qualify for admission and have the desire to succeed. Working students could earn a baccalaureate degree by attending evening programs, day programs, or a combination of the two—a feature unique in 1932 and still remarkable today.
The school was originally called Lawrence Institute of Technology. Its present name, Lawrence Technological University, was approved on January 1, 1989, by the State of Michigan, and more clearly describes Lawrence Tech’s undergraduate and graduate mission.
Lawrence Tech was founded as a college of engineering with only a few hundred students and a handful of faculty. Today it offers over 60 programs in four colleges, with a total enrollment of nearly 5,000 students, and employs over 400 full- and part-time faculty. In terms of enrollment, Lawrence Tech is among Michigan’s largest independent colleges.
Concurrently, there has been an enormous expansion and improvement of facilities. The University’s first campus was located in Highland Park, in a building leased from Henry Ford adjacent to the huge manufacturing facility where he built the Model T and perfected the moving assembly line. As enrollment grew, the University acquired acreage in Southfield and in 1955 opened its first building on what had been a General Mills research farm. The campus has since expanded to over 100 acre (0.404686 km²) and 12 major buildings, as well as the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Affleck House in Bloomfield Hills, which was donated to the University in 1978.
In 1977, Lawrence Tech shed its “commuter” classification by opening the nine-story University Housing-South residence hall. The 1980s and 1990s were distinguished by the opening of the Wayne H. Buell Management Building and the Don Ridler Field House, numerous improvements to existing buildings, and a substantial increase in state-of-the-art laboratory and computer equipment. The University Technology and Learning Center opened in 2001, University Housing-North in 2002, and the A. Alfred Taubman Student Services Center and the Center for Innovative Materials Research in 2006.
Athletics
Lawrence Tech's athletic teams are known as the Blue Devils, the colors are blue and white. The school sponsors 21 intercollegiate teams. The university is a member of the NAIANational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
and competes as an independent
NAIA independent schools
NAIA independent schools are 4-year institutional members of the NAIA that play independent of any formal conference affiliation. Many NAIA independent schools are members of the Association of Independent Institutions , which allows members to have a formal route to NAIA tournaments.-See...
member; however, the university will join the In 2012 the university will join the Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) for the 2012-13 academic year. The men's ice hockey team is a member of the participates in the American Collegiate Hockey Association
American Collegiate Hockey Association
The American Collegiate Hockey Association is the national governing body of non-varsity college ice hockey in the U.S. The organization provides structure, regulations, promotes the quality of play, sponsors National Awards and National Tournaments....
at the Division III
American Collegiate Hockey Association
The American Collegiate Hockey Association is the national governing body of non-varsity college ice hockey in the U.S. The organization provides structure, regulations, promotes the quality of play, sponsors National Awards and National Tournaments....
level as a member of the Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference
Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference
The Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference or MCHC is an ACHA Division III conference made up of smaller colleges, universities, and community colleges in the state of Michigan.-ACHA National Champions:...
(MCHC).
Lawrence Tech reinstated athletic programs in 2011 and joined the NAIA. Men’s soccer and bowling, along with women’s volley joined the already established men's ice hockey team for the university's athletic offerings during the 2011-12 academic year. During its second season in the NAIA the university will begin competition in men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men's lacrosse, and women’s soccer.
Lawrence Tech fielded athletic teams throughout it's history from 1930 to the 1962. The 1950-51 men’s basketball team played the 1951 National Invitation Tournament
1951 National Invitation Tournament
The 1951 National Invitation Tournament was the 1951 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 12 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket....
, held at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in New York.
Lawrence Tech was defeated by Dayton
Dayton Flyers men's basketball
The Dayton Flyers men's basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Ten Conference representing the University of Dayton. They are known for a rivalry with Xavier University, playing for the Blackburn/McCafferty Trophy each year.-History:The...
, 71-77 in the opening round of the tournament. Blaine Denning, an alumni from the 1951 team went on to play professional basketball with the Baltimore Bullets
Baltimore Bullets
Baltimore Bullets has been the name of three different basketball franchises:* Baltimore Bullets , an American Basketball League franchise and National Basketball Association franchise that folded in 1954....
of the NBA.
Men's
- BasketballCollege basketballCollege basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
(2012-13) - BowlingBowlingBowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule...
- Cross CountryCross country runningCross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
(2012-13) - Ice Hockey
- LacrosseCollege lacrosseCollege lacrosse refers to lacrosse played by student athletes at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. In both countries, men's field lacrosse and women's lacrosse are played in both the varsity and club levels...
(2012-13) - SoccerCollege soccerCollege soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
Women's
- BasketballCollege basketballCollege basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
(2012-13) - Cross CountryCross country runningCross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
(2012-13) - SoccerCollege soccerCollege soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
(2012-13) - VolleyballVolleyballVolleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
Student life
Notable alumni
The following is a list of other notable alumni presented in alphabetical order of the last name.- Steven A. Ballmer, while still simultaneously enrolled in high school, participated in Lawrence Tech's Summer Science Institute, then spent a year at the University, excelling in six of Lawrence Tech's top mathematics classes. Ballmer is now CEO of MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
. - Bennie L. Benjamin, B.S. Civil Engineering 1955 - retired director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, which serves nearly half of Michigan's citizens and is one of the nation's largest water and waste treatment organizations
- John Buffone, B.S. Architecture 1974, B. Architecture 1975 - Little Caesar's Vice President of Architecture, oversaw design of Comerica ParkComerica ParkComerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
. He managed a team of hundreds of architects, artists, and designers to develop the ballpark, which features a carousel, Ferris wheel, and 150 feet (45.7 m) wide fountain. - Donald W. Date, B.S. Architectural Engineering 1949 - The late chief architect for the United States' Panama CanalPanama CanalThe Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
Co. His Canal improvements and modernizations significantly increased efficiency and tonnage transported through the Canal. - John DeLorean, B.S. Industrial engineering 1948 - Former GM executive who created the first muscle carMuscle carMuscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high-performance automobiles. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines muscle cars as "any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving." Usually, a large V8 engine is fitted in a...
and an American businessman who founded the De Lorean Motor CompanyDe Lorean Motor CompanyThe original DeLorean Motor Company was a short-lived automobile manufacturer formed by automobile industry executive John DeLorean in 1975. It is remembered for the one model it produced — the distinctive stainless steel DeLorean DMC-12 sports car featuring gull-wing doors — and for its brief and...
based in Northern IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. - Ed Donley, B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1943 - Former president of Air Products & Chemicals and Lawrence Tech's largest benefactor, and former Chairman of the United States Chamber of CommerceUnited States Chamber of CommerceThe United States Chamber of Commerce is an American lobbying group representing the interests of many businesses and trade associations. It is not an agency of the United States government....
in the 1980s. - Alan Haase, B.S. Electrical Engineering 1982 - President of AGC Aerospace & DefenseAGC Aerospace & DefenseAGC Aerospace & Defense is the unifying brand for a private equity firm - Acorn Growth Companies. Acorn, which is based out of Oklahoma City, invests in or acquires smaller companies within the aerospace and defense sector. Since inception, Acorn has acquired five businesses and started three.All...
Composites Group, accomplished turnaround expert in leading underperforming companies to produce profitable, sustainable growth. - Ronald Knockeart, B.S. Electrical Engineering 1963 - inventor of the laserLaserA laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
bar code scannerBarcode readerA barcode reader is an electronic device for reading printed barcodes. Like a flatbed scanner, it consists of a light source, a lens and a light sensor translating optical impulses into electrical ones...
and pioneered keyless entry door locks on cars. - John W. Laister, B.S. Aeronautical Engineering 1938 - During World War II, developed the revolutionary high wing/rear door cargo plane design still used in cargo aircraft worldwide.
- Thomas S. Moore, B.S.EE 1986- general manager of Daimler-Chrysler's advanced vehicle research and development program, called Liberty and Technical Affairs. He oversees development of all future ChryslerChryslerChrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
products, working with a five to 10 year lead time. - James P. Ryan, B.S. Architectural Engineering 1966 - owner and principal of one of the nation's leading architectural firms that specializes in commercial and shopping center development. Highly acclaimed designs include the Somerset CollectionSomerset CollectionSomerset Collection is an upscale super-regional shopping mall, with over 180 stores located in a Metro Detroit commercial area on 2800 W. Big Beaver Rd. in Troy, Michigan...
and Great Lakes CrossingGreat Lakes CrossingGreat Lakes Crossing Outlets is an enclosed shopping mall, super-regional in size, located in the city of Auburn Hills, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Developed and owned by Taubman Centers, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets features over 180 stores and restaurants, a food court, and a...
malls. - George W. Sierant, ME 1947 - engineered the first viable rear-facing child safety seatChild safety seatChild safety seats are seats designed specifically to protect children from injury or death during collisions. Automobile manufacturers may integrate child safety seats directly into their vehicle's design...
in 1966. The six-way seat adjuster was another of many driver comfort and safety innovations Sierant developed during his 34 years with General Motors. - Alfred TaubmanA. Alfred TaubmanAdolph Alfred Taubman is an American real estate developer and philanthropist from Michigan. He pioneered the modern shopping mall concept and was described by CBS News as a "legend in retailing" who became wealthy developing upscale shopping malls. He built shopping mall developer Taubman Centers...
, former Lawrence Tech architecture student - one of the nation's leading real estate developers, innovators, and owners of shopping malls throughout the U.S. He also owns Sotheby'sSotheby'sSotheby's is the world's fourth oldest auction house in continuous operation.-History:The oldest auction house in operation is the Stockholms Auktionsverk founded in 1674, the second oldest is Göteborgs Auktionsverk founded in 1681 and third oldest being founded in 1731, all Swedish...
auctioneers and until recently owned the A&W restaurant chainA&W RestaurantsA&W Restaurants, Inc., is a chain of fast-food restaurants, distinguished by its draft root beer and root beer floats. A&W was arguably the first successful food franchise company, starting franchises in 1921 in California. Today it has franchise locations throughout the world, serving a typical...
. - Lewis VeraldiLewis VeraldiLewis C. Veraldi, as Ford Motor Company vice president in charge of car development, was a key leader behind the creation of the Ford Taurus. The team concept he pioneered would assign a complete set of designers from different departments to work together...
, B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1968 - late father of the original Ford TaurusFord TaurusThe Ford Taurus is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in the United States. Originally introduced in the 1986 model year, it has remained in near-continuous production for more than two decades, making it the fourth oldest nameplate that is currently sold in the North American...
and SableMercury SableThe Sable was a very important sedan for both Mercury and the American auto industry.Ford had lagged in introducing mid-size front wheel drive cars to compete against General Motors' Chevrolet Citation and its best-selling Chevrolet Celebrity/Pontiac 6000/Oldsmobile Cutlass/Buick Century quartet as...
. As Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor CompanyFord Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
vice president in charge of car development, Veraldi pioneered cross-disciplinary personnel teams that led to the launch of these cars. The "team" development process he innovated has become the industry standard. - Vincent Dow, B.S. Electrical Engineering - Vice President of distribution operations for Detroit Edison, a subsidiary of Detroit-based DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE). He also serves on the board of directors and executive committee of the Better Business Bureau of Southeastern Michigan and the Gleaners Community Food Bank.
Notable faculty and staff
- Wayne Buell, B.S. Chemical Engineering 1936 - Lawrence Tech's president in 1964. Was a member of the first class to attend Lawrence Tech for four years from 1932-1936. The Buell Management building was named in his honor.
- Don Ridler - Before coming to Lawrence Tech in 1932 to build an athletic program, he coached Michigan's first professional football franchise. The Ridler Field House was named in his honor.