News

OWOSSO, Mich. – Baker College of Owosso held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 21 to launch its new state-of-the-art Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan (ADI).

Rising enrollment, increased workforce needs and enhanced reputation led to the 11-month construction and grand opening of the 43,000 square-foot facility located on 11.8 acres on S. M-52. The new facility will welcome approximately 450 students when fall classes start on Monday.

“The opening of the new Auto/Diesel Institute facility establishes Baker College of Owosso as a national-level provider of high-quality service technicians in both the auto and diesel areas,” said Peter W. Karsten, Baker College of Owosso president. “The additional capacity provided in this high-tech facility will allow us to attract students from geographical areas across the United States.   Baker College of Owosso is pleased to continue to invest in Shiawassee County and the mid-Michigan area to educate and train the workforce for tomorrow.”

The new ADI facility includes two fully equipped automotive labs, three diesel labs, four engine and transmission labs and three lecture classrooms. Programs offered at the ADI include automotive service and diesel service certificate and associate degrees, and the new automotive diesel service management bachelor’s degree program that was added fall 2011. Future potential programs include alternative energy and collision repair.

“We recognize the importance of proper training when it comes to diesel repair,” said Chris Boyd, human resource manager, Precision Motor Transport Group (PMTG). “With the demand for qualified diesel technicians on the rise and the supply on the down slide, PMTG is very excited to see Baker College of Owosso’s new ADI facility. Over the last two years PMTG housed several internship students and provided a place
of employment for five graduates.”

The project’s contractors included TMP Architecture, Inc., Bloomfield Hills; Morgan Construction Company, Flint, construction management; and several local subcontractors.

Student enrollment in the diesel service technology program increased 320%–from 70 students in 2007 to 294 in the 2011-12 academic year. The automotive services technology program includes an additional 151 students enrolled in the 2011-2012 academic year.

Baker College is Michigan’s only college to receive master accreditation for diesel service by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).

For more information about enrolling in the ADI, please contact Mike Konopacke at , or call the Baker College of Owosso admissions office at 989.729.3350 or 1.800.879.3797.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It is a nonprofit higher education institution, serving more than 40,000 students on 12 campuses and in three satellite locations. Baker grants certificates and associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, health sciences, education and human services, and various technical fields, as well as a doctorate of business administration. As a career college, the Baker College system is pleased to report that 97 percent of its available graduates are employed. For more information about Baker College, please check out our website at www.baker.edu.