A former student who believes he owes his current success to an Oxford High School teacher and his program is going well beyond mere words to express his gratitude.

Thanks to Mike Lawrence, a 2007 OHS graduate, when all is said and done, Dan Balsley’s automotive technology program will have approximately $3,000 in donated consumable supplies, including welding rods and wire, cleaners, tire swabs, drill bits, grease, washers, tire patches, nuts and bolts, solder, fuses and floor degreaser.

“There’s quite a list,” Balsley said.

“It’s an opportunity to give back to the program that I feel gave me so much,” explained Lawrence, who is the operations/engineering manager for Turn Key Automotive, located at 3262 Adventure Lane in Oxford Township.

“The stuff started coming in just this last week,” Balsley said. “Shipment after shipment, boxes on top of boxes of supplies and things we use in the shop. He said there’s more coming.”

Lawrence, who spent three years in the OHS auto program, wants Balsley to be able to focus more on educating students and not have to worry so much about the financial side of things.

“I wanted to do something for him to make things easier,” he said.

To accomplish this, he convinced not only Turn Key Automotive, but also Quality Fastener & Supply Co. and Steve’s Oxford Automotive, both Oxford-based businesses, to make donations to the program.

“When they found out what I was doing, they were eager to help,” he said.

Balsley is extremely grateful for this most generous gesture.

“It helps tremendously because a good portion of our budget (goes toward) consumable supplies,” he explained. “All this stuff is a constant expense. To have that burden lifted really helps out the program. That alleviates a lot of financial pressure.”

Lawrence has been working for Turn Key Automotive for 10 years.

The company provides parts, components and design/build services for the automotive industry. It specializes in performance parts, kits and low-volume niche programs.

Lawrence, who recently obtained his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Oakland University, isn’t shy about admitting he wouldn’t be where he is today with Balsley and his program.

“His program was able to get me ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) master-certified,” he said. “That gave me a leg up when I started working in the industry.”

“He was always near the top of the class and well-motivated and dedicated to his studies,” Balsley noted.

But the program did more than simply provide Lawrence with technical know-how. It helped him deal with a particularly difficult and painful event in his young life.

Between his sophomore and junior years, Lawrence’s father passed away. To help him process his grief, Balsley’s auto program became both an “escape” and an “outlet.” Working in the shop gave Lawrence a safe haven to focus his mind and his energies for hours at a time, a reason to stay in school and a place to stay out of trouble.

“I was interested in cars and I wasn’t really interested in anything else,” he said.

Lawrence can’t say enough good things about Balsley as a teacher and as a person.

“He truly cares. He makes a personal connection with as many of the kids as he can,” he said. “The passion he has – it’s contagious. He made me want to learn.”

Knowing how he’s positively impacted Lawrence’s life is “very touching” to Balsley.

“That’s the whole reason why I’m here – to see someone grow to that level and be successful,” he said. “That’s the magic. That’s what it’s all about for me (as a teacher). It’s very rewarding and makes me feel as though all of my time and effort was well spent.”

“In fact, that is why I’ve dedicated my life to teaching,” Balsley noted. “I believe it is the most important work there is. I try not only to provide the very best automotive training I can, but also teach my students how to interact and treat others in a kind and professional manner.”

Lawrence’s securing of donations for the auto program to help current students learn and better themselves is the icing on the cake for Balsley.

“It’s just very gratifying and heartwarming for me to see his success and his generosity, his willingness to give back,” he said.

“Mike’s generosity speaks more about his character than his training with me, but it is flattering to think that I have (played) a part in shaping the person he’s become,” Balsley noted.

Lawrence also helps OHS auto students by serving on an advisory committee that meets twice a year to help guide the program, keep it up-to-date and ensure it’s still preparing students to meet the needs of future employers.

To Lawrence, classes like auto technology are important because not every student is motivated by academics, athletics or the arts. Balsley’s class gives these students, who some folks mistakenly write off as “lost causes,” a place to explore new things, learn valuable skills, grow as people and ultimately, feel a sense of belonging and achievement.

“Everyone should explore their interests,” Lawrence said.

Besides, the world today has plenty of people with college degrees in business, communications and marketing, but it’s sorely lacking skilled tradespeople, according to Lawrence.

“You can’t find somebody to service your vehicle or plumb your house or fix your furnace or (air conditioning) unit,” he said.