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Chuck Hutchins is pictured with grandson Eric C. Montague (far left), son of Linda A. Hutchins, M'78 BSE CO ENG and John T Montague, a Stanford EE;
grandson Eli S. Skeggs, age 10, son of Beth L. Hutchins, M 1982 AB LSA, and Peter Skeggs; and his wife Ann, M 1957 BS DES. Eric was born during the
1990 Solar Car race which Michigan won. |
Whether it's traveling to Australia for a 3,000-km World Solar Challenge race or calling fellow alumni to inspire their support of the ME department, the college or the university in some way, Charles S. Hutchins doesn't think twice. In recognition of his dedication he earned the 2004 Alumni Society Distinguished Service Award.
Hutchins graduated with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics in 1957. A visionary who saw the need for open architecture computer numerical control and real-time data collection on the factory floor, he is recognized as a pioneer of computer aided manufacturing (CAM). Hutchins lead the development of Compact II, a programming language for numerically controlled machine tools, and twice co-founded companies named Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc., both leaders in the CAM field.
In addition to having served on the Alumni Society Board of Directors and the Executive Advisory Board of the ME department, Hutchins has been a sponsor of every Solar Car team since the Solar Car Team's formation in 1989. From waving a Michigan flag at the finish line of a race or facilitating teamwork among students to resolving a technical problem, he consistently shares his time, resources, expertise and access to an accomplished network of colleagues and friends, according to Michael Brackney, the team's project manager.
For Hutchins, winning the Alumni Society Distinguished Service Award is "like icing on the cake.”
"You see the challenges that these kids face, and the pressure of a racing deadline--it's really a sophisticated car--and how well they pull it all together,” he said. “It's fun to watch and cheer! Each year the car only gets better. To win four first-place American Solar Challenge trophies in eight races, that's no small feat."