COVID-19

Ford Proud, Oakland Strong: Carmaker donates 50,000 masks to OU

Ford mask donation

Ford mask donation boxes

icon of a calendarOctober 16, 2020

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Ford Proud, Oakland Strong: Carmaker donates 50,000 masks to OU
Ford mask donation

Strong recruiting ties were a driving force behind Ford Motor Company’s generous donation of 50,000 disposable masks to the Oakland University community. The Dearborn-based automaker made the donation through its philanthropic arm, the Ford Motor Company Fund, as part of a goal to distribute 100 million masks nationwide  

Kathy Livelsberger, director of employer relations for OU’s School of Engineering and Computer Science, said OU’s status as a premier partner university with Ford helped make the donation possible. 

“We are very thankful for our partnership with Ford. Year after year, Ford recruits our engineering and IT students for internship and full-time opportunities,” said Livelsberger. “When OU became a premier partner university for recruiting, we became eligible for several programs offered by Ford and the Ford Fund. These include scholarships, grants and now this donation of PPE.”

Ford is working with the Ford Fund to identify donation recipients across the U.S., including African American communities, military veterans, food banks and schools.

“Students can’t learn if they don’t feel safe,” said Mike Schmidt, director of Education for the Ford Motor Company Fund. “Masks play a vital role in slowing the spread of COVID-19. That’s why Ford Fund and Talent Acquisition are working with our partners at Oakland University to encourage students and others on campus to be safe and respectful of others by wearing proper PPE.”

OU’s Emergency Management Specialist Mike Crum, Director of University Services/Property Management Kathryn Walters, and Director of Environmental Health and Safety Cora Hanson were among those who helped coordinate the donation and distribute the masks around campus.

During the pandemic, Ford continues to recruit OU students through virtual interviews and informational events. To learn more about these opportunities, contact OU SECS Career Services at k[email protected] or (248) 370-3211.

Learn more about Oakland University’s response to COVID-19.

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