Baker College student to compete in national diesel mechanics competition

Nic Levesque, of Grosse Ile and a student at Baker College’s Auto/Diesel Institute (ADI) of Michigan, is one of 80 individuals who will compete in the American Trucking Associations’ TMCFutureTech national student technician competition, Friday, Sept. 18, in Orlando, Florida.

Levesque was selected by his employer, TravelCenters of America, based on his in-shop performance. He works as a diesel technician at a TA Stopping Center in Monroe. TravelCenters, which employs nearly 3,000 technicians across the U.S., selected two of its student technicians to enter the annual competition. As a student, Levesque will represent the ADI at the competition.

Robert Ellsworth, ADI program director of diesel technologies, said, “Nic always adds to each class with his curiosity and upbeat, positive attitude. This combined with his drive for success and the high quality of training provided at the ADI, and Nic is off to a successful career start in his life's passion. We’re cheering him on.”

Levesque has been practicing for the national contest in addition to completing his final term in the diesel service technology associate program at the ADI and working full time.

“I love diagnosing and fixing trucks, and am looking forward to the ATA competition,” Levesque said. “I’ve trained at TravelCenters National Training Center in Seville, Ohio, and between what I learned at the ADI and from my incredibly helpful fellow TA technicians, I think I’m ready! Preparing for the contest has also helped me learn more about my profession.”

TMCFutureTech is organized by the ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) and is North America’s premier skills competition for commercial vehicle technician students. The competition consists of a set of skill stations for technician students. Winners will be announced during the awards banquet Sept. 19. The competition is being held during the ATA’s 2017 Fall Meeting & National Technician Skills Competition, Sept. 16-21.

The ADI offers associate and certificate technology programs in diesel and automotive services that are accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). The diesel service technology program holds NATEF’s Master Accreditation.

The 43,000-square-foot ADI facility has two fully equipped automotive labs, three diesel labs, four engine and transmission labs and three lecture classrooms.

For more information about Baker College automotive and diesel programs, contact Mike Konopacke in the admissions office at mike.konopacke@baker.edu, 989.729.3350 or 1.800.879.3797, or visit www.baker.edu.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Founded in 1911, Baker College grants doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees, as well as certificates in diverse academic fields including applied technology, business, education, engineering, health science, information technology and social science. Baker College has on-ground campuses throughout Michigan and offers online programs that can be completed 100 percent online without ever visiting a campus. In 2016, the Online Learning Consortium recognized Baker College Online with the OLC Quality Scorecard Exemplary Endorsement, the highest ranking for online higher education programs. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.

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