News Post

GUEST SPEAKER on high performance tech and popular culture/Black Geek Week

Where the Rubber Meets the Road:
A town hall conversation with automotive designer Ralph Gilles
on the business of high performance technology and popular culture

1:30-3:00 pm, Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Beckman Institute Auditorium (Rm 1025), 405 N. Mathews, Urbana, IL 61801
RSVP at https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/757396

On Wednesday, February 6, 2013, Chrysler Group Design Senior VP and President SRT Brand, Ralph Gilles will participate in a town hall conversation on the business of fusing popular culture, engineering, and high performance technology in automobile research, design, marketing, promotion, and sales.

This IPOWERED Hip Hop Leadership Lecture Series conversation will be moderated by Dr. William Patterson from the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations.  The IPOWERED Hip Hop Leadership Lecture Series is an interdisciplinary approach to engage faculty, student, staff, and the community on issues related to community revitalization and sustatinability. Students and faculty interested in design, entrepreneurship, engineering, technology, and popular culture are strongly encouraged to attend. This event is open to the public, and members of the media are encouraged to attend.

Ralph Gilles was educated at Michigan State University and College for Creative Studies in Detroit.  He began working at the Chrysler Corporation upon graduation in 1992.  Gilles has been actively involved in reshaping the image of the Chrysler Corporation with innovative product development using various forms of culture, such as hip hop, to engage a modern car buying public interested in nostalgia, modern design, and high performance. “Imported from Detroit” has become a marketing slogan that captures that essence with the rebirth of the Chrysler 300. Gilles serves as executive sponsor of Chrysler’s African American Network and plays a leading role with The Chrysler Global Diversity Council.

An avid car enthusiast who enjoys spending time at the track, go-karting and watching Formula 1 auto racing, Gilles has participated in the Targa Newfoundland Rally, the Car and Driver One Lap of America and the SRT Viper Cup Series. Gilles has earned numerous academic and industry awards. Gilles holds a MBA from Michigan State University (2002) and a BFA in Industrial Design from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit (1992). Gilles was born in New York City.

This event is co-sponsored by Illinois Engineering Freshmen Experience (IEFX), Morrill Engineering Program (MEP), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Technology and Management, Business Career Service, Technology Entrepreneur Center (TEC), Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations, Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center, College of Engineering, College of Business, College of Fine and Applied Arts, Office of Diversity Equity and Access, Office of Public Engagement, and Shelby Motors.   The Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations (OIIR), part of the Division of Student Affairs, is dedicated to recruiting and retaining underrepresented students, diversity education, civic engagement, and fostering inclusive leadership skills.

Please RSVP at https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/7573963.

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