Friday, January 29th, 2010

Jerry Cuper, an advisor and instructor in the Department of Engineering Technology, has been selected as the Lawrence Tech Staff member of the Month for January by the Staff Recognition Committee of the Staff Senate. 

Since 1978, he has taught and advised students in both daytime and evening programs while working in industry.

Cuper has an MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Lawrence Tech. He began with an associate’s degree from Macomb Community College and has completed an engineering apprenticeship. He obtained his degrees in the evening while working full time and thus understands the effort and perseverance required for students to complete their degrees.

He has many years of experience in engineering, management, and planning. Most of his career was with the Ford Motor Company. Cuper managed the Technology Review Center to help showcase suppliers’ new technologies, developing and helping to implement the Supplier “Big Bang” Process, revolutionizing the way supplier technologies were integrated with Ford products. Additionally, Cuper developed the first automotive production application of graphite fiber reinforced plastic; this bracket was later honored with the Materials Engineering “Award of Merit.”

Cuper’s passion is muscle cars, specifically the iconic Ford Mustang. He recently leased his 20th Mustang, a 2010 GT convertible, complete with decals and striping.  His first Mustang was the 1965 2+2 Fastback, toward which he saved for over a year. In the intervening years, he has owned various models of the car, including fastbacks, hatchbacks, notchbacks, convertibles, and one Cobra, and gravitates toward bold colors like yellow and lime green. As one might expect, Cuper takes very good care of his Mustangs, and his garage is outfitted for year-round hot-water washes. 

Cuper was nominated for staff member of the month by the Department of Engineering Technology secretary Angelina Card, who said of him, “Jerry is probably the most overlooked staff member on campus. His effort and dedication to the students both old and new is apparent. … He doesn’t leave students to fend for themselves. He works hard to make sure that whatever problem a student may have, it will get solved to the best of his abilities. The students view him as a friend more than an advisor. Jerry loves his job, and the students are very satisfied with his service to them. Additionally, he is fun to be around and very easy to work with.”

Though his role as both a staff advisor and course instructor for Engineering Technology is demanding, Cuper nonetheless relishes his work. He credits his passion and enthusiasm for learning for his ability to help students discover, understand, and ultimately reach their educational and professional goals.

The Staff Council recognizes full- and part-time Lawrence Tech staff each month for their outstanding contributions to the University. Nominees exhibit professionalism, dedication, and integrity in the workplace and excel in the performance of their work duties. Nominations are accepted at any time from any Lawrence Tech constituent (staff, faculty, or student) through the Staff Senate website .

 

– Nicole Huntsperger

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