Automotive Star

Weber State’s automotive technology YouTube channel hit a milestone this year. Views have surpassed the 10-million mark, and the channel has nearly 50,000 subscribers.

The unlikely video star, automotive technology professorJohn Kelly AAS ’91, BS ’93, M.Ed. ’98, wanted to give students better views of the complex processes he was teaching, so he started filming the lectures and posting them on YouTube.

“It’s just taken off like crazy. I can’t believe it. That wasn’t my intention,” Kelly said, laughing. “I have received messages from people all over the world — people who are using my training videos in their own automotive programs and people who are do-it-yourselfers who want to repair their vehicles.”

Faithful viewers have noted changes over the years. Kelly wears a microphone for better audio. He uses two high-resolution cameras for better picture quality and angles. And, Kelly, who has muscular dystrophy, now delivers his lectures from a wheelchair. 

“This has turned into my hobby for me. Being in a wheelchair for the past three years limits my hobbies,” Kelly said. “My co-workers, when they see me early and late and on Saturdays, say, ‘You sure spend a lot of time here.’ And I say, ‘Well, this is what I do for fun.’”