Ann Arbor, Mich. (March 17, 2014) — Toyota Technical Center (TTC) announces $20,000 in grants to FIRST Robotics of Michigan. For over 35 years TTC, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan has been the driving force behind Toyota's engineering, advance research & development activities for North America and employs over 1,100 team members. 

FIRST Robotics grants were provided to the Ann Arbor Huron River High School – A2 Geeks ($5,000), the FIRST Robotics State Competition ($10,000) and as part of Toyota’s commitment to Michigan Athletics and the Ann Arbor community, Toyota made a donation to FIRST Robotics of Michigan and the Michigan Engineering Zone (MEZ) for every power play goal scored by the Wolverines this season.

A $5,000 check was presented at the Michigan vs. Minnesota hockey game on Saturday, March 15 by Kristen Tabar, vice president of TTC Technical Administration and Jeff Makarewicz, vice president of TTC Corporate Strategy to U-M engineering (MEZ) students Alissa Recker, Justin Lopas, Jenna Ross, and Executive Director of Student Affairs of the College of Engineering, Jeanne Murabito.

“At Toyota, we are committed to improving student’s education by supporting programs that not only offer training and technology but include a mentoring component as well,” said Kristen Tabar, VP of Technical Administration. “We are honored to have the opportunity to partner with the A2 Geeks-Huron River High School and MEZ through FIRST Robotics that share the same priorities”.

“The College of Engineering students who serve as mentors at the MEZ share their knowledge of engineering, the College process and life itself with Detroit High School students,” said Jeanne Murabito, executive director for Student Affairs at University of Michigan. “For the mentors it is an opportunity to help reinvent community and to share and receive knowledge that will last for a lifetime.  These mentors truly change the world for the students at the MEZ.”