MCC awarded grant from Dunning Foundation to support advanced automotive technology education | State News

Macomb Community College was awarded a $35,000 grant from the Margaret Dunning Foundation to purchase advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) service and calibration equipment. It will help expand the experience of Macomb’s automotive technology students with connected and automated vehicles.

 The ADAS service and calibration equipment is used to diagnose and repair ADAS systems such as blind spot detection, cross traffic alerts and adaptive cruise control. Macomb students studying automotive technology will use the ADAS service and calibration equipment to learn how these systems work, how to diagnose issues, how to conduct repairs and calibrate sensors.

 “This new equipment enables us to provide our automotive students with a state-of-the-art education in ADAS systems, making them better prepared for the workplace,” said Ben Cruz, director, Center for Advanced Automotive Technology, Macomb Community College. “As the automotive industry continues the shift to connected and automated vehicles, ADAS-enabled vehicles are more and more common every day. To keep pace, employers are looking to hire technicians with hands-on experience with these systems.”

About the Margaret Dunning Foundation

The Margaret Dunning Foundation was founded by Ms. Dunning in 1997. She was born in 1910 in Redford Township and moved with her mother to Plymouth in the 1920s. During her lifetime, Dunning was a successful businesswoman, philanthropist and civic booster. She was a major supporter of many Plymouth nonprofits, including the Plymouth District Library and the Plymouth Historical Society. In addition to her personal philanthropy, Dunning was a classic car enthusiast and regular participant in the Woodward Dream Cruise with her 1930 Packard 740 Roadster.

Dunning died in 2015 at the age of 104. Her estate provided additional funding for the Margaret Dunning Foundation, which continues to support her charitable interests and legacy. For more information: margaretdunningfdn.org.