The college seeks more scholarships and endowed chairs as it hits Empower Extraordinary milestone
The Michigan State University College of Engineering has reached its goal for the Empower Extraordinary capital campaign and continues to propel forward. "This is unprecedented support for our college and its students," said Engineering Dean Leo Kempel. "The college has surpassed its goal of $80 million more than a year early, thanks to our devoted alumni and friends. This campaign total doesn't mean we've reached an end," Kempel continued. "We still need more endowed faculty positions and we must continue to raise funds for undergraduate scholarships, but it is time for a collective cheer."
The success of the recently concluded Empower Extraordinary capital campaign captured the Spartans Will of our community as much as anything else. The college met its campaign goal of $80 million early and then surpassed it by 42 percent, with a total of $114 million. Thanks to the help of our alumni, business and industry, and many friends, we secured 22 new endowed faculty positions -- the most of any college on campus -- and created new scholarship opportunities for our next generation.
Read more on the college's campaign success here.
Giving to MSU for almost 70 years
Ceo Bauer (’49) never forgets his commitment to serve
At age 96, Ceo Bauer (’49) has a simple secret for living a fulfilling life: service.
“Try to make things better where you are. That’s what you do. Every day, every minute,” he said.
An impressive giving history to MSU is one of the ways Bauer shows his long commitment to service.
He’s made an annual gift to MSU every year for 68 years, making him one of MSU’s longest-running annual donors. He’s supported Spartan athletics, bands, WKAR and the college where he earned his degree: engineering.
He’s also made a provision in his will to support Spartan Engineers in the future.
His commitment is easy as far as he’s concerned. “It’s my duty to America and MSU. I’m a graduate,” Bauer said.
Bauer’s lifetime of service started early. At the age of 19, during World War II, he was drafted and later joined the 95th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army as a rifleman. He was severely wounded during combat to seize the fortress city of Metz, France. For their outstanding combat action, the division earned the nickname “Iron Men of Metz.”
He has returned to Metz every five years since 1987, interacting with the French and participating in liberation ceremonies. He was designated a “liberateur” by the city in 1968. This spring he received the French Legion of Honour for his service and accomplished career.
“I'm very honored,” he said. “Now I can pass away smiling.”
Follow this link to read the full article about Ceo Bauer.
Thank you - 113 donors
2018 Give Green Day raises $23,055 for Spartan Engineering
The Michigan State University College of Engineering received $23,055 from 113 gifts on #GiveGreenDay on Tuesday, Nov. 27.
Donations during the 24-hour national day of support will strengthen funds for Spartan Engineering students and programs, including $3,680 for the Diversity Programs Endowed Discretionary Fund.
More than 4,000 donors helped MSU set another #GiveGreenDay record, raising $739,348 in 24 hours – that’s up $150,000+ from last year.
$12.7 million gift
Historic $12.7 million gift headed to MSU College of Engineering and BEACON Center
The Michigan State University College of Engineering has received its largest individual gift in the history of the college.
A $10.7 million bequest from a California entrepreneur joins a previous cash gift of $2 million, bringing his total giving to $12.7 million to support the college and the BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action, one of the National Science Foundation's Science and Technology Centers. The commitment is from computer scientist John R. Koza, who is considered the "father of genetic programming."
Read more on this landmark gift of $12.7 million here.
$5 million commitment
MSU receives $5 million commitment for engineering scholarships
A graduate of Michigan State University, whose only hope of completing his college education in the 1960s was a scholarship, is paying it forward with a $5.3 million gift to the College of Engineering. The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, will use cash and estate planning to commit $5.3 million to an endowed College of Engineering scholarship.
Read more on this $5.3 million commitment for scholarships here.
New endowed professorship
$1 million gift to MSU College of Engineering establishes Creative Engineering Endowed Professorship
Thomas Wielenga, a 1978 graduate of Michigan State University, so believes in the value of the creative process that he is investing $1 million to kick-start the next teaching paradigm in the College of Engineering.
The $1 million gift creates the Wielenga Creative Engineering Endowed Professorship, which is designed to be a springboard for new approaches in educating mechanical engineering students.
“We have not applied the technology of today in creative ways to drive down the cost of education,” Wielenga said. “I’m hoping this endowed professorship will find technical ways to reduce costs, improve the capabilities of students, and move us toward new teaching models.”
Follow this link to read the full article about the Creative Engineering Endowed Professorship.
ECE endowed fellowship
Minnesota couple supports electrical and computer engineering at MSU
A Minnesota couple known for helping students cultivate an interest in math and science has committed $750,000 to support graduate students in electrical and computer engineering at Michigan State University.
Paul E. and Ruth E. Bauhahn of Fridley, Minn., are continuing their philanthropic efforts through a charitable bequest of $675,000 for the Bauhahn Fellowship in Electrical and Computer Engineering and another $75,000 for the MSU Electrical Engineering Discretionary Endowed Fund. The bequest recognizes MSU in the family’s estate plan.
Paul Bauhahn said today’s job market requires workers with advanced skills.
“That’s why we want to help with this fellowship in electrical and computer engineering,” he explained. “I feel there’s so much to learn because knowledge has become so complex and that’s why we want to support graduate education.”
Ruth Bauhahn’s interest are at the intersection of electrical and computer engineering, and neuroscience.
“I spent 25 years at Medtronic, where I worked in the development of products with an emphasis on the brain, tremors and Parkinson’s,” she noted. “I think the direction Michigan State is moving propels a solution for neuro-degenerative disease. Good graduate students will be able to advance those efforts."
Follow this link to read more about the Bauhahn's endowed fellowship.
Supporting mechanical engineering students
A gift from James Schmidt '71 advances innovation in the Manufacturing Teaching Laboratory
A plaque recognizing the friendship of James A. Schmidt to the Michigan State University College of Engineering was unveiled on Sept. 10 during the dedication of the JASchmidt Manufacturing Teaching Laboratory in the Engineering Building.
Schmidt, along with his partner Karen West, Engineering Dean Leo Kempel, and others gathered in the Engineering Building to reveal the nameplate that honors the 1971 mechanical engineering graduate and his gift of $250,000 making the lab possible.
James Klausner, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, spoke about the role of teaching in today’s manufacturing marketplace.
"Our students go into many diverse disciplines," Klausner said, "and so we want them to be thinking outside the box. Experiential learning is an important component of engineering education, and facilities like this encourage innovation. Your generous gift is used by our students both day and night. We really appreciate your support."
Follow this link to read the full article.
Beth Burns (’86)
"Remember your roots and leave a legacy," computer science graduate advises
Beth Burns thinks that not knowing what you want to be when you grow up is a blessing; not knowing provides an individual with a curious eye toward self-discovery and introspection.
Beth, who was initially from Detroit and has lived in Chicago since graduation, earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 1986 from Michigan State University. She is proud that her goal of lifelong learning has held steady throughout her career.
Follow this link to read the full story about Beth Burns.
Joe Thorp '81
Joe ('81) and Laurie ('81) Thorp commit $1 million toward the undergraduate experience
Joseph M. Thorp ('81, mechanical engineering) and Laurie Thorp ('81, horticulture) firmly believe in the value of the land grant mission and its transformative impact on students and the world. They have committed to a $1 million future gift in support of undergraduate education, split between the MSU Colleges of Natural Science and Engineering. They will also provide cash gifts annually to support undergraduate students.
Follow this link to read more about the Thorps gift.
John R. Dorgan
The right chemistry to power the future
John R. Dorgan is one of the newest endowed chair holders at Michigan State University. An expert in polymeric materials and a nationally recognized leader in developing composite materials for manufacturing, he is the first David L. and Denise M. Lamp Endowed Chair in Chemical Engineering at MSU. Dorgan came to MSU from the Colorado School of Mines, where he guided a successful effort to organize C2B2 — an industry-sponsored research center involving four institutions.
Follow this link to read more on this new endowed chair.
CMSE $500,000 endowment
Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering (CMSE) receives its first graduate fellowship endowment
Michigan State University has announced a $500,000 graduate fellowship endowment to the Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering (CMSE)—the first in the department—from MSU alumnus Raymond Ginther and his wife. The gift will establish the Raymond P. and Marie M. Ginther Graduate Fellowship Endowment, which will provide academic and research support to recruit one or more exceptional graduate students each year.
Follow this link to read more on this investment in CMSE.
Tenneco supports CoRe
Tenneco provides nearly $300,000 in support for the CoRe Experience
Tenneco, a global supplier of Clean Air and Ride Performance technologies, is partnering with Michigan State University College of Engineering's CoRe Experience program, designed to engage first-year engineering students in experiential learning opportunities inside and outside of the classroom.
Follow this link to read more about Tenneco's support of CoRe.
$250,000 for CoRe
Consumers Energy Foundation invests $250,000 in CoRe first-year engineering experience
The Consumers Energy Foundation, a long-time supporter of the CoRe Experience first-year engineering program at Michigan State University, is contributing $250,000 to continue their support of the next generation of engineering and computer science students. The donation was announced March 15. MSU's CoRe Experience is an integrated living-learning community in the MSU College of Engineering that prepares engineering students through activities that range from academic classes, to team building, strengthening interview skills, and fun seasonal celebrations.
Follow this link to read more on this gift to CoRe.
Empower Extraordinary
Campaign update: Engineering raises $63 million; at 79 percent of $80 million goal
For the third consecutive year, the MSU College of Engineering has ended the year in record-breaking fashion. In 2015-16, alumni, corporate friends, and generous donors helped raise $19.3 million. That's up from $16.4 million the year before and $12.6 million in 2013-14. The college's fundraising totals contribute to MSU's Empower Extraordinary success.
Michigan State University raised $272 million in 2015-16 -- its best fundraising year in the university's history. The $272 million is a major step toward MSU's Empower Extraordinary campaign goal of $1.5 billion.
Follow this link to read more about the campaign update.
Enhancing Bridge Research
$2 million estate gift will endow bridge research at MSU
The largest single donation ever given to Michigan State University's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering will enhance research focused on the nation's strained transportation infrastructure. An anonymous couple from the Greater Lansing Area has designated $2 million of their estate to fund an endowed faculty chair with an emphasis on bridge research.
Follow this link to read more about the bridge research.
$1.7 million gift
Craig Rogerson '79 donates $1.7 million real estate gift to advance chemical engineering
MSU's ability to advance the fields of chemical engineering and materials science has been enhanced with a real estate gift appraised at $1.725 million to support the College of Engineering.
An endowed faculty position and scholarship will be created through the gift from Craig A. Rogerson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Chemtura. He is a 1979 chemical engineering graduate of MSU.
Follow this link to read more about Rogerson's donation.
CoRe investment -- $200,000
Bosch and the Bosch Community Fund renew $200,000 for the CoRe Experience
Bosch and the Bosch Community Fund have continued their support of MSU with $200,000 in grants for the university's Engineering CoRe (Cornerstone and Residential) Experience. CoRe is designed to engage first-year engineering students in experiential learning opportunities, inside and outside of the classroom. Bosch's corporate human resources department provided $70,000, while the Bosch Community Fund awarded a $130,000 grant. In addition, the Bosch Community Fund provided a $70,000 grant to support the university's STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Success program to develop high school students' foundational math skills before entering undergraduate programs.
Follow this link to read more about the Bosch Community Fund.
A gift of appreciation
$400,000 from a grateful former student launches the Anil K. Jain Endowed Graduate Fellowship
A $400,000 cash gift will honor one of the world's foremost authorities on pattern recognition, computer vision, and biometric recognition with the creation of an endowed fund in his name at Michigan State University. The gift was announced June 1, 2015.
The Anil K. Jain Endowed Graduate Fellowship is an anonymous gift from an international businessman who was a visiting scholar in computer graphics and image processing in Jain's laboratory in the early 1980s. The fellowship fund will support doctoral-level research on pattern recognition, computer vision, and biometric recognition. The Department of Computer Science and Engineering will select the recipients of the Jain Fellowship.
Jain is a University Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at MSU, who has conducted trailblazing research in data clustering, fingerprint recognition and face recognition.
Follow this link to read more on the Jain Endowed Graduate Fellowship.
$5 million endowment
Alum's $5 million bequest to benefit MSU Engineering
A $5 million bequest commitment from a Kentucky couple will strengthen the Michigan State University College of Engineering's ability to coach, develop and educate the next generation of innovation leaders. The bequest was announced May 4, 2015.
The estate gift from Gary and Patricia Coffman is one of the largest donations ever given to MSU Engineering. It will establish the Gary A. and Patricia A. Coffman Endowed Scholarship/Fellowship, funds that will be split into an endowed scholarship/fellowship fund for talented, qualified students and a discretionary fund for the dean.
"One of the key things in the engineering field is to establish an environment for others to leverage their capabilities," he said. "As a leader, you are responsible for providing coaching and development for your employees to stretch and grow. It is my hope to impact students with this gift."
Follow this link to read more about the Coffman commitment.
$1.3 million endowment
Betty Shanahan and Bob Nuber's estate gift will invest in entrepreneurship and diversity
A Chicago couple, who met in a calculus class at Michigan State University in the 1970s, have endowed a professorship to support entrepreneurship and diversity in the MSU College of Engineering. The commitment was announced Feb. 9, 2015.
The $1.3 million gift, established through their estate plan, creates the Bob Nuber and Betty Shanahan Endowed Professorship and supports Empower Extraordinary, the $1.5 billion campaign for MSU that publicly launched in October 2014.
Nuber, 1978 computer science and Honors College graduate, is managing director of digital technology for Tribune Publishing Co. Shanahan, who received her MSU degree in 1978 in electrical engineering, served as the executive director and CEO for the Society of Women Engineers for more than a decade and is regarded as one the country's key voices in support of diversity in engineering and industry.
Follow this link to read more on the estate gift.
$1 million commitment
Nyquist $1 million commitment to create professorship in electromagnetics
A retired Michigan State University professor has made a $1 million commitment to benefit the MSU College of Engineering with a professorship in electromagnetics.
The gift is being established through an estate plan from Dennis P. Nyquist of East Lansing, a former faculty member and graduate of the MSU Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. It was announced Oct. 8, 2014.
"Both the college and ECE department were instrumental in my professional growth, so I am delighted to support MSU and advance electromagnetics with this gift," Nyquist said. "As a retired faculty member, I appreciate the value and prestige that endowed positions bring by attracting and retaining top quality faculty members to the college."
Follow this link to read the full article about Nyquist's gift.
$2.5 million to support chemical engineering
A $2.5 million gift from Dave and Denise Lamp of Dallas is supporting STEM scholarships and research in the MSU College of Engineering Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science. The gift was announced in March 2014.
The college will use $2 million to establish the David L. and Denise M. Lamp Endowed Chair in Chemical Engineering and direct the remaining $500,000 to enhance a scholarship fund previously created by the Lamp family.
"I credit a good deal of my professional and business success to my academic experience at Michigan State University," said David Lamp, who earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from MSU in 1980. "We are pleased to further the mission of the department and enhance excellence in the MSU College of Engineering."
Follow this link to read more about the Lamp gift.
Google software engineer creates legacy at MSU
Doug Zongker, a senior software engineer at Google made a $2 million commitment to benefit the Michigan State University College of Engineering in July 2014. The gift, established through an estate plan, will establish the first endowed chair of computer science at MSU.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without the tools and training that I got during my years at Michigan State University," Zongker said. "I am pleased to be in a position to be able to give back. This gift is a small way that I can help my industry and my alma mater stay in the forefront of technology advancement."
Zongker is from the Mountain View, Calif. He graduated from MSU in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in computer science.
Endowed professorships and chair positions are the highest level of faculty distinction. The support from an endowment provides a dependable, perpetual source of funding to support the position, as well as the ability to conduct research and scholarship as new opportunities arise.
Follow this link to read more about Doug Zongker's gift to the College of Engineering.
