Ivy Underhill, OSU Institute of Technology graduate and Warren CAT® Oklahoma City technician, is no stranger to being the only female competitor in male-dominated events, so it was no surprise when she won the top apprentice position out of all the ThinkBIG participants in the Caterpillar® Dealer Top Apprentice Program in Melbourne, Australia.

The Dealer Top Apprentice Program is a reward and recognition program held annually since 1979 at the Melbourne Learning Center.

“The experience of competing in DTAP was memorable, and the knowledge I gained will stick with me well into the future of my career,” said Underhill. “It taught me a lot about what I know but also what I have yet to learn. I had a great time learning and troubleshooting in the competition, and I also had an amazing time traveling around Melbourne to some of the local CAT® facilities.”

According to Kenneth Trantham, CAT® instructor for OSUIT’s School of Transportation & Heavy Equipment, Underhill has a special quality that allows her to excel in anything she sets her mind to and is the first female to complete OSUIT’s CAT® Dealer Prep program.

“She didn’t just stand out as the first young lady we graduated from the program; Ivy can do anything she sets her mind to,” said Thrantham. “She played varsity football, took auto mechanics classes and wrestled in high school. Ivy is like the light in the middle of the room; she draws people in.”

That dedication placed Underhill among the top apprentices for her territory, qualifying her for a chance to compete internationally at DTAP.

She credits OSUIT for preparing her for the competition and providing her with the knowledge and experience to do it on a global level.

“OSUIT was an amazing stepping stone for my career and prepared me well for this competition,” she said. “The style of learning at OSUIT and the skills taught by my instructors gave me what I needed to perform well and inevitably win this competition. The instructors are amazing and deserve recognition for their awesome job and positive impact on the future!”

Underhill said confidently that she is prepared to ‘Be the One They Call’ thanks to the training and knowledge she received at OSUIT, with a trophy and plaque on the Wall of Fame in the Melbourne training center to prove it.