About Roger Klungle

Roger Klungle and the University of Michigan-Dearborn have grown up together. Back in 1965, he was a member of one of the early graduating classes. He remembers when the campus was new.

“We were the early pioneers,” he said.

The education he received, which focused on cooperative placements, helped to prepare him for success. In 1982, after working for the U.S. Department of Defense and receiving his master’s and doctoral degrees, Klungle returned to UM-Dearborn to give back to a new generation of students. While serving as adjunct professor, he taught a legion of students, among them his daughter, Deborah, who obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial and systems engineering from UM-Dearborn.

And now, Klungle is giving back again in a different way: He established Dr. Roger G. Klungle and Debra Lynne Klungle Endowed Scholarship fund by a gift of $100,000 to support undergraduate scholarships for student majoring in industrial and systems engineering or manufacturing engineering.

“This gift will be very valuable in recruiting students for the undergraduate programs in industrial and systems engineering and manufacturing engineering (IMSE),” said Swatantra Kachhal, professor of IMSE, who added that Klungle has been an integral part of the department. Over the years, Klungle has taught both graduate and undergraduate courses and has also been involved in curriculum development.

Students who receive funding will be required to have strong academic performance as well as financial need. Klungle decided to establish the gift last year after hosting a small gathering of friends and fellow alumni from the university’s early years. During two days, the group, including Klungle’s close friends John Junge, Arnie VanZanten, and CECS Alumni Affiliate member Ron Modreski, toured the campus and visited with faculty and students.

“It’s time for us to help prepare a new generation of students to be just as successful,” Klungle said. “I’m hoping that my fellow alumni will join me in creating new opportunities for CECS students today.”