David Ibn-Ezra named as a Donley Distinguished Graduate

When David Ibn-Ezra learned he was a recipient of the 2025 Donley Distinguished Graduate Award, his first call was to his mother in Israel.

“She was so excited and proud of me; that moment alone made all the hard work worth it,” he said.

David, a senior in Mechanical Engineering, thrived while at Lawrence Technological University (LTU), balancing rigorous coursework, professional experience and leadership opportunities.

“I value the close relationships I’ve been able to build with my professors,” he shared. “I also appreciate the long-standing reputation and history of LTU’s engineering department, which has provided me with both a strong technical foundation and a sense of pride in being part of that tradition.”

As President of Hillel (JSO), David fostered student connections. He served as co-captain of the LTU Formula Electric team and proudly represented LTU at the Israeli American Council Summit in both 2022 and 2024.

David’s work extended beyond campus. He worked as a test engineer intern at Gentherm, led a Design of Experiments mannequin study and designed an automated GM seat heat-up testing system that now saves the company over $66,000 annually. On his own time, David coached youth baseball in Israel, Canada, and the U.S. He mentored members of the LTU baseball program as well as young players in initiatives like The Miracle Field.

“David consistently shows concern for the well-being of others and is a shining example of what an LTU Blue Devil should be,” said Stan Eldridge, David’s former baseball coach, who nominated him for this award.

After graduation, David plans to return to Michigan and pursue his career in the automotive industry.

Author: Pam Houghton