Mary Barra helps EcoCAR3 Hybrid Warriors celebrate Pi Day

Thanks to General Motors' Mary Barra, Wayne State University's EcoCAR3 team, the Hybrid Warriors, celebrated Pi Day in the most appropriate way - with pizza. Barra surprised all EcoCAR3 teams across the country with a pizza lunch and personally signed letter.

"I hope you take some time tonight to enjoy the food and company of your teammates as you all prepare for the year's final competition in May," the letter read. "You get to work hands-on with one of my favorite cars: the iconic Chevrolet Camaro!"

While most of Wayne State's students are on spring break, the Hybrid Warriors are hard at work in the EcoCAR garage, located in the College of Engineering. The team is preparing for the year two final competition in May, where they will showcase the progress made in vehicle integration.

"This was a fun surprise," said Miriam DiRusso, a mechanical engineering student and the team's engineering manager. "It's wonderful to receive support from such an important person in the automotive world."

"Thank you to Mary Barra and the organizers of EcoCAR for this treat," said Jerry Ku, associate professor of mechanical engineering and Wayne State's EcoCAR faculty advisor. "Gestures like this help motivate our students, who work long hours on this project in addition to their many other responsibilities."

EcoCAR3 is a four-year competition sponsored by General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy. The competition challenges student teams from 16 universities to redesign a Chevrolet Camaro to reduce its environmental impact while maintaining the car's muscle and performance. Wayne State University has the only EcoCAR team from Michigan.

View Hybrid Warriors Pi Day celebration photos.

View video.

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