Stan Johnson, the designer of the graphics on many of Kulwicki’s cars, talks with some engineering students. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)
Dean Brett Peters (center) and mechanical engineering student Matt Loomis (left) are interviewed by Jim Tretow, also a UWM alum, on the live podcast “Racing Roundup” after the event. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)
Members of the UWM student chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers decorated their Baja racecar in the style of Kulwicki's No. 7 Ford Thunderbird. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)
Andrew Graettinger, assistant dean for research in UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science, highlighted some of Kulwicki’s accomplishments, quoting him as saying: “Getting the education may have put me behind schedule a few years with my racing career, but it is paying off… It’s an asset that I’m proud of.” (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)
Jon Jeffords, who helped organize this event, was a member of the WLPX team that assisted Kulwicki at the race garage and at Slinger Speedway in the late 1970s and early ’80s. He is currently the manager of the Emissions Certification Test Lab at Kohler Engines. (UWM Photo/Troye Fox)
Former pit crew members and friends of the late Milwaukee NASCAR driver Alan Kulwicki shared memories at an event March 31 to mark the 30th anniversary of Kulwicki’s death.
The event was outside the Kulwicki Garage in the engineering building at UWM. Kulwicki earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1977.
Kulwicki was the first full-time driver in stock car racing to have a college degree in engineering. In 2009, the Kulwicki family funded a scholarship for UWM engineering students interested in a career in motorsports. Since 2010, 14 UWM students have received the scholarship, including two women. The endowed gift also supports the student Baja team and a faculty fellowship for engineering research, currently held by Associate Professor Roshan D’Souza.