Executives attend semiannual External Advisory Board meeting | Blaser Meritorious Service Award presented to Cummins Inc.'s Gary Parker
On Friday, April 10, 2015, over 60 industry and government executives attended the Ohio State Center for Automotive Research's (CAR) semiannual External Advisory Board meeting, as well as an unveiling for the center's new direct current fast charging station.
The meeting's agenda included a welcome and open question and answer time with the College of Engineering's Dean David B. Williams; and timely updates from CAR administration specific to the center's current research, strategic and marketing endeavors.
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the prestigious Dwight A. Blaser Meritorious Service Award, a citation presented annually to recognize individuals whose sustained and extraordinary personal services have had a significant and lasting effect on the advancement of Ohio State’s Center for Automotive Research. The 2015 recipient is Gary Parker, director, powertrain systems of Cummins Inc., who is recognized as a champion for his continuous support of university-industry partnership. The award was presented by Carla Bailo, the university's newly-appointed assistant vice president for mobility research and business development.
Additionally, meeting attendees joined the campus and local community to celebrate the unveiling of Central Ohio's first direct current fast charging station. The equipment has been generously donated by Nissan North America as part of the Nissan EV Advantage Program, aimed at installing a network of DC fast chargers throughout the region.
The day would not have been complete without student interaction. At lunch guests enjoyed the opportunity to view up close projects designed, built and implemented by undergraduate students participating in the Motorsports Capstone Design Program, which is directly sponsored by industry partners. The projects afford experiential learning to students, preparing them to meet real world challenges.
At the conclusion of the presentations and discussions, guided tours of the center's facilities and laboratories rounded out the day's activities.
See photos from the event here.