Baker College’s Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan has been given a $51,558 Paccar MX-13 diesel truck engine, a donation from Berger Dealer Group of Dearborn, Michigan, to enable engine-specific technician training. Berger also donated the specialized tools, software and related manuals to service the engine.

Paccar engines are designed for optimized performance, weight savings and durability in Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF trucks. The 12.9L MX-13 is Paccar’s largest heavy-duty diesel engine.

The donation is one of the largest in the history of the ADI, which opened in 2007.

“Because there is a tremendous need for skilled diesel service technicians, businesses are looking to educators to help develop a pipeline of talent,” said Aaron J. Maike, Baker College of Owosso president. “We are honored by Berger Dealer Group's confidence in ADI programming as demonstrated by this incredibly generous donation. Providing this state-of-the-art diesel engine as a teaching tool strengthens a program that is already one of the most recognized in the region, attracting students beyond Michigan’s borders.”

The reaccreditation process of Baker College’s diesel service technology program in March 2017 influenced the donation. Berger Dealer Group COO and CFO Mike McNutt volunteered to help provide the independent evaluation required for reaccreditation by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).

“I saw first hand the ADI’s impressive program curriculum, instructors, facilities, and equipment,” Berger said. “This donation allows us to quickly get this engine in front of students who can learn from it, gain additional skills that will be valuable to future employers, and provide quality service for the Kenworth trucks we sell.”

Berger Dealer Group is a Kenworth heavy truck dealership with locations in Dearborn, Clinton Township, Saginaw, and Lansing, Michigan. The company provides service on a range of heavy trucks and engines at three locations and is Michigan’s only Kenworth PremierCare Gold Certified Service provider.

Following a brief presentation of the engine to ADI staff and students May 12, two Berger Group Dealer Group service managers provided instruction about the engine, specialized tooling, software and related service manuals to ADI faculty.

The 43,000-square-foot ADI facility in Owosso was built specifically for the study of automotive and diesel services technologies. The diesel service technology program has certificate and associate degree options and holds NATEF Master Accreditation.