Auto department receives $60K grant from Margaret Dunning Foundation

Last April, Lakeview’s automotive technology teacher Jim Schenieder submitted a request for a grant to upgrade the auto department’s technology and tools. Thirty days later, the Margaret Dunning Foundation approved the grant, awarding the auto department $60,000.

Margaret Dunning, a Plymouth, Michigan native, was known for her love of cars and dedication to supporting young people interested in automotive careers. She founded The Margaret Dunning Foundation in 1997 to fund automotive education programs, particularly in southeast Michigan.

Schneider’s grant proposal aimed to enhance the learning experience by ensuring each student had equal access to high-quality tools.

“I wanted every student to have access to the same tools when we go out in the shop,” he explained. “Now each workstation will be equipped with a $10,000 toolkit, allowing every group to work from identical sets,” Schneider continued.

The impact of the grant has already been felt in the shop. For both the students and Schneider, the new tools have made a noticeable difference.

“We had a lot of missing things before, so there were certain jobs we couldn’t complete. Having all of those new tools means we can finish anything,” said senior auto student Aidan Bastine.

“The students are excited to work with new tools and equipment. It’s motivating them to take better care of everything and stay more engaged in their work,” Schneider stated.

The new toolkits also improve organization in the shop. Previously, students accessed a shared tool room, making it difficult to track and return equipment. With individual workstations now fully stocked, students can maintain better organization and efficiency.

“It makes a lot of our jobs easier. It’s a lot less stressful now that we don’t have to look around as much because everything is compact and organized,” stated senior auto student Seven Kempkens.

“This isn’t the first time the auto department has received funding, but Schneider acknowledged that grants of this size are rare.

“The automotive industry recognizes the need for skilled technicians and actively supports programs like ours,” he said.

Thanks to the Margaret Dunning Foundation, the new tools will serve students for years to come, fostering the next generation of automotive professionals at Lakeview.