Graduates of Ferris State University’s College of Engineering Technology will hear
from an alumnus rich with industry experience as Robert Hegbloom, the president and
CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s Ram Truck brand, receives an Honorary Doctorate
of Business and Industry at the university’s final Spring 2016 commencement ceremony
on Saturday, May 7.
Hegbloom earned his Bachelor of Science in Automotive Management, as well as an associate degree in Automotive Service Technology, in 1986. He advanced from parts and service management to various market management positions, before being named director of truck, commercial and SUV product planning, in 2010. Hegbloom became director of Ram Brand product marketing a year later, and president and CEO of the brand, in 2014. In the two years since, Hegbloom has become the head of Ram Brand, nationally and internationally.
Ferris President David Eisler and Board of Trustees Chairman Paul Boyer noted in Hegbloom’s
Honorary Doctorate citation that the Muskegon native provided an “example of excellence
for all Ferris students,” and praised his Fall 2015 visit, along with other Ram Brand
leaders to the Big Rapids campus.
Hegbloom’s contingent engaged College of Engineering Technology and College of Business
students, offering them perspective on the corporation’s plans for expanding brand
sales globally.
Hegbloom, along with fellow alumni and Honorary Doctorate recipients Vivian Rogers Pickard and Jeff Harrold are credited by Boyer as “concrete examples of what can be accomplished by striving for excellence.”
The College of Engineering Technology commencement ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 7 in Jim Wink Arena of the university’s Ewigleben Sports Complex. More than 1,700 graduates will participate in one of eight ceremonies on May 6 and 7 in Big Rapids, as approximately 2,400 Ferris students complete their degree programs in the Spring 2016 semester. Ferris President David Eisler will see the total number of graduates during his tenure surpass 40,000 when the commencement schedule is complete.
Read about other Spring 2016 honorary doctorate recipients:
Click Jeff Harrold for more information.
Click Vivian Pickard for more information.
PHOTO CAPTION: Robert Hegbloom, a Muskegon native and 1986 graduate of Ferris State University’s Automotive Management program will receive an Honorary Doctorate from the university on Saturday, May 7. Hegbloom will address graduates of the College of Engineering Technology in a 4 p.m. ceremony in Jim Wink Arena, part of the Ewigleben Sports Complex in Big Rapids.