CAMS announcement among highlights of 61st Northwood University International Auto Show
The 61st Northwood University International Auto Show was one for the history books, as university leaders, alumni, students, and industry professionals officially celebrated the launch of the Center for Automotive & Mobility Studies (CAMS).
“The formation of CAMS is a natural extension of Northwood University’s commitment to fostering innovation, excellence, and sustainability in the automotive retail and mobility industries,” stated President Kent MacDonald. “Through industry-focused academic programs, relevant research, and strategic industry partnerships, we will empower students, professionals, and communities to drive meaningful change in these dynamic sectors.
“We are proud to be America’s leading university serving the automotive and aftermarket industries,” MacDonald added. “CAMS is the next phase in Northwood’s long-standing reputation as a leader in automotive education.”
Attendees at a sold-out Auto Show Gala on Friday, Oct. 4, at the Midland Country Club, celebrated CAMS’s mission to become the preeminent institution for automotive education and thought leadership worldwide.
“Northwood University has a rich tradition of serving as a bridge between academia and the automotive retail and automotive aftermarket industries,” stated Dr. Matt Bennett, Vice President of Strategic Alliances and CAMS. “The creation of CAMS is an evolution in automotive education for Northwood University and the entire automotive and mobility industries.”
CAMS will encompass undergraduate and graduate education, non-credit and professional training for industry-focused organizations, and innovative research by renowned faculty.
CAMS highlights include:
- Northwood’s automotive marketing and management degree program delivers innovative learning experiences from faculty from the automotive industry. It is committed to providing students with real-world practice to help them achieve successful careers.
- Northwood’s automotive aftermarket management degree program is the only degree program of its kind for students who want to work in the $380 billion+ auto care industry.
- The University of the Aftermarket offers extensive non-degree education, professional training, and certifications for those working in the automotive aftermarket sector.
- Masters-level degree programs focused on the automotive industry are offered for high-performance professionals seeking to contribute more to their organizations.
- New degree programs will be created for powersports, recreation vehicles, and other mobility segments.
- The CAMS Research Institute will be at the forefront of automotive research, driving innovation in areas like electric vehicles, autonomous driving, connected systems, aftermarket alignment, and sustainable transportation solutions. It is led by Dr. Dave Oventhal, Northwood’s inaugural Subaru of New England Professor of Automotive Strategy.
- Bob Kron, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Rydell Company, is a new Executive-in-Residence who will significantly enhance students’ understanding of the dynamic automotive industry.
- Northwood is currently accepting applications for an Endowed Chair of Automotive Studies.
- Summit events will bring together automotive industry leaders and experts to share insightful discussions and networking opportunities. Northwood’s first CAMS Industry Summit was held on Thursday, Oct. 3, and focused on key topics facing the automotive industry today, including retail trends, dealer relations, F&I, compliance and regulations, and the state of the automotive aftermarket sector.
“Thursday’s summit provided an invaluable platform for industry insights and emphasized the importance of collaboration between academia and industry,” Oventhal noted.
CAMS will also highlight student-first initiatives, including the Northwood University International Auto Show, the nation’s largest, student-run outdoor exhibition for aftermarket companies and automotive brands. It will also spotlight the Northwood University Aftermarket Club and NU Auto Club registered student organizations, where students turn their passion for the vehicle mobility industry into career opportunities.
CAMS will operate from multiple locations on Northwood University’s campus in Midland, Michigan, including the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies and a new hotel and conference center that will replace the current NADA Hotel and Conference Center.
During the June 6 President’s Freedom Celebration at Northwood University, alumnus Dr. Alan Jay Wildstein of the Alan Jay Automotive Network and leaders from Reynolds and Reynolds announced two respective $5 million gifts for the new facility. The facility will feature state-of-the-art academic classrooms, a conference center, upgraded hotel accommodations, and an inviting lobby.
The CAMS guidance structure will include an advisory council comprised of automotive industry leaders, ensuring it remains at the forefront of automotive education. This council will provide strategic guidance, industry insights, and support for the Center’s initiatives.
“Its all-encompassing nature makes CAMS bigger than just one building or program,” noted Elgie Bright, who chairs Northwood’s Automotive Marketing and Management degree program. “It positions Northwood to foster new and existing relationships, bringing today’s leaders in automotive to campus to meet current students and future leaders who will drive global economic and social progress.”
Northwood has launched a CAMS website featuring a video premiered at Friday’s gala highlighting how Northwood University has fueled innovation while creating generations of graduates who have become successful ethical leaders in the automotive and automotive aftermarket sectors.
“CAMS is committed to incorporating The Northwood Idea, our university’s guiding philosophy, to instill a sense of personal responsibility, individual freedom, earned success, and the importance of free enterprise in all graduates,” Bennett noted. “As America’s Free Enterprise University, Northwood believes these are the foundations that drive success. Our alumni are proof that The Northwood Idea is alive, with over one-third owning their own businesses. It is a testament to the efficacy of our values-based education.”
Northwood’s goal is to have CAMS fully operational by 2026. For more information, visit https://www.northwood.edu/cams/.
