Alumni Fun Facts
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Ronald Knockeart, BSEE’63, invented the laser bar code scanner and pioneered keyless entry door locks on cars.
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A member of the first class to attend Lawrence Tech for four years from 1932-1936, Wayne Buell, BSCheE’36, became Lawrence Tech’s president in 1964.
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Former GM executive John DeLorean, BSIE’48, created the first “muscle car.”
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Former president of Air Products & Chemicals and Lawrence Tech’s largest benefactor, Ed Donley, BSME’43, was Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the 1980s.
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Before coming to Lawrence Tech in 1932 to build an athletic program, Don Ridler coached Michigan’s first professional football franchise.
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Steven A. Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, participated in Lawrence Tech’s Summer Science Institute, then spent a year at the University, acing six of Lawrence Tech’s top mathematics classes while still co-enrolled in high school.
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Thomas S. Moore, BSEE’86, is general manager of DaimlerChrysler's advanced
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George W. Sierant, ME'47, improved childrens' chances of surviving car accidents by engineering the first viable rear-facing child safety seat 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.
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The “father” of the original Ford Taurus and Sable was the late Lewis C. Veraldi, BSME'68. As Ford 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.
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During World War II, John W. Laister, BSAeroE'38, developed the revolutionary
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Former Lawrence Tech architecture student, A. Alfred Taubman, is one of the nation's leading real estate developers, innovators, and owners of shopping malls throughout the U.S. He also owns Sotheby's auctioneers and until recently owned the A&W restaurant chain.
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James P. Ryan, BSArE'66, is owner and principal of one of the nation's leading
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Little Caesar’s Vice President of Architecture John Buffone, BSAr’74, BAr’75, oversaw design of Comerica Park. He managed a team of hundreds of architects, artists, and designers to develop the ballpark, which features a carousel, Ferris wheel, and 150-foot wide fountain.
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The chief architect for the United States’ Panama Canal Co. was the late Donald W. Date, BSArE'49. His Canal improvements and modernizations significantly increased efficiency and tonnage transported through the Canal.
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Bennie L. Benjamin, BSCivE'55, is retired as director of one of the nation's largest water and waste treatment organizations -- the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, which serves nearly half of Michigan’s citizens.
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