A team of students from OU is one of the first in Michigan — and one of a select few in the nation — to develop a fuel-efficient Formula Hybrid vehicle in a competition that promotes drive train innovation and the use of alternative energy.
Surprisingly, this competition isn’t just for aspiring engineers. It’s for business students too. OU engineering students are designing, building and racing a high-performance, plug-in hybrid vehicle in the Formula Hybrid International Competition at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in May 2011. SBA students are responsible for business planning, accounting, finance, graphic arts and public relations.
“The students learn how to work across disciplines and gain real-world business experience,” says Mohan Tanniru, SBA dean. “We are proud to support such an effort of excellence through integrative thinking and hard work. These are the types of leaders needed to transform this region.”
Accounting major Steve Manduzzi, SBA ’09, joined the team to fulfill an internship requirement. It didn’t take long to recognize the value of the experience. Although his internship ended last summer, Manduzzi stayed.
“It’s an eye-opening experience to work with different mindsets in different disciplines,” says Manduzzi. “We have constructive debates to better understand each other’s positions and, ultimately, further our common goal.”
This sentiment is echoed by others on the team.
Kirk McGuire, project president/CEO and an electrical engineering student, says, “The business guys didn’t always understand where we were coming from. But fair being fair, we didn’t always appreciate their concerns.”
This cross-disciplinary approach is vital to learning about working in the real world. It’s also essential to turn out a superior product.
“Engineers would much rather design and build a car than create a business plan, oversee legal requirements or secure financing,” says McGuire. “Having business students on the team meant the engineers could focus on what they do best, without worrying about the business details.”
Team sponsors include OU’s SECS, the SBA’s Center for Integrated Business Research and Education (CIBRE) and Magna Electronics.
By Kathy Pomaville Pate, CAS ‘90
This article appeared in the Summer 2010 issue of SBA Insight
A team of students from OU is one of the first in Michigan — and one of a select few in the nation — to develop a fuel-efficient Formula Hybrid vehicle in a competition that promotes drive train innovation and the use of alternative energy.
Surprisingly, this competition isn’t just for aspiring engineers. It’s for business students too. OU engineering students are designing, building and racing a high-performance, plug-in hybrid vehicle in the Formula Hybrid International Competition at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in May 2011. SBA students are responsible for business planning, accounting, finance, graphic arts and public relations