A New Chapter: Transitioning from Teaching to Congress

Dr. Berry Goes to Washington

Celebrating 39 Years of Teaching and Research

IIn 2024, Dr. Berry retired after an impactful 39-year career in teaching, administration, and research. His journey began in 1987 when he joined GMI (renamed Kettering University in 1998) as an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Berry advanced to Associate Professor in 1990 and was promoted to Professor and Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department in 1994. During his tenure as Department Head, Dr. Berry excelled in building partnerships with industry leaders and creating cutting-edge laboratories. These efforts led to the establishment of premier research and teaching facilities, attracted top faculty researchers, and expanded Kettering University’s industrial consulting and applied product development initiatives.

Impacting the Future

Dr. Berry’s remarkable career concluded with a $200,000 endowment to establish the Kingsberry Sustainability Lab, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to exploring alternative energy technologies for students and educators.

Celebrating the Journey

Several celebrations were given in Dr. Berry's honor. The African American Alumni Network selected two professors, Dr. Gheresus and Dr. Berry, for a distinctive awards ceremony and gala. Both professors were honored for their contributions to the students and staff during their careers. Read more about both professors here: Kettering University’s African American Alumni Network Honors Distinguished Members of the University Community.

Dr. Berry was also honored with an intimate celebration among the faculty and staff of the Mechanical Engineering department during his final days on campus.

Learn more about Dr. Berry’s extraordinary journey and enduring legacy here: Engineering a Legacy: Dr. Kingsley Joel Berry’s Lasting Impact on Kettering University

A few speical moments from the African American Alumni Network celebration honoring Dr. Berry’s 39 years of dedication and contributions to Kettering University.

A few special moments shared with the Mechanical Engineering faculty and staff on Dr. Berry’s last day.

What’s Next for Dr. Berry?

Dr. Berry currently serves in Washington, D.C., as an ASME Congressional Fellow in the office of Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona. He is the first ASME/AAAS FELLOW from Kettering University to serve in Congress. In this role, he contributes to policy development focusing on Artificial Intelligence, Renewable Energy, Quantum Computing, and STEM education.

Congressional Publications and Articles of Interest

Read Dr. Berry’s research on Deepseek-V3 and Chain of Thought prompting.
Read Dr. Berry’s recommendations for unleashing American energy.
Read and watch Dr. Sudip Parikh’s testimony on the need for proactive measures to modernize and strengthen the U.S. science and technology enterprise.
Recently, Dr. Berry traveled to Arizona to speak with the Navajo Nation about a proposed Cultural Preservation & Workforce Development AI Data Center.

Dr. Berry’s First Rocket Launch - A Dream Come True

Dr. Berry has always dreamed of seeing a live rocket launch. Thanks to Senator Kelly’s office, he was able to view the Spacex Dragon launch from the NASA observation deck on March 14, 2025. The launch even inspired his granddaughter, Zaria, to put on her space suit!