MSU Engineering Development Student E-News

Engineering Development Trivia!!!

2006-04-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

Trivia Question #1: How many scholarships do you think are awarded annually to engineering students at MSU? What is the average amount that is awarded?

Answer:
Thanks to the charitable support of many alumni and friends, MSU’s College of Engineering provided nearly 300 scholarships to undergraduate students during this 2005/2006 academic year in amounts ranging between $500 and $2,500. In all, more than $518,000 was distributed to engineering students in the form of scholarship support.

Despite this success, Engineering Development recognizes that there remains unmet student need for scholarship support. For this reason, Engineering Development is committed to raising funds so that more scholarships will be available to meet the financial needs of students who pursue an engineering education at MSU. Without question, scholarships are always one of the top funding priorities of the College. The good news is that scholarships also happen to be among the most attractive and satisfying gifts a donor can give.

Did you know? - College of Engineering Breaks Ground on New Automotive Facility

2006-03-28T07:46:00.000-08:00

LEFT TO RIGHT: Roy H. and Dawn I. Link, and Richard Brown (individual donors); Vance Zanardelli, Ford Motor Company; Eann Patterson, chairperson, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; Satish Upda, action dean, College of Engineering; MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon; MSU Trustee Dolores Cook; Jeri Ojeda, General Motors Coporation; MSU Provost Kim Wilcox.

Have you recently driven in the vicinity of Hagadorn and Mt. Hope Roads and wondered what MSU was building on the southeast end of campus? On November 18, 2005, the College of Engineering broke ground on the Energy & Automotive Research Laboratories, a new $10 million facility spanning 29,000 square-feet. Connected via a walkway to the existing Engineering Research Complex (located at Service Road and Bogue Street), the new facility will more than double the current automotive and energy research space. This state-of-the-art complex will house two engine test cells, a cold start room, a powertrain research laboratory, energy labs, and a conference center in addition to faculty and graduate student offices.

The research conducted at EARL will focus on improvements in engine efficiency and vehicle emissions while identifying and seeking energy source alternatives. In addition to advancing research in fuel efficiency, this facility will also attract automotive researchers as well as graduate students. Once completed, MSU will be one of only a few such institutions with research laboratories like EARL in the country.

The creation of this facility, a priority of the College of Engineering for several years, would not have been possible without charitable support. In fact, nearly half of the financial support for this facility has come from donors, including Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Consumers Energy. In addition to this corporate support, several alumni also gave generously to the cause. The College is extremely grateful to Richard Brown (BSME,1971), Roy (BSME, 1967) & Dawn Link, and Jack (BSME,1954, MBA 1971) & Dottie Withrow for their generous support.

The building will officially be dedicated in Summer 2007.

First Senior Class Winner

2006-03-16T08:41:00.000-08:00

The winner of a $20 Best Buy gift certificate in the first senior class drawing is Marie Piasecki. A December 2005 ECE graduate, Marie recently made a contribution to the College of Engineering via the Senior Class Challenge. For Marie, the decision to give back was relatively easy. “I had the opportunity to use great equipment in the engineering labs,” she said. “Being exposed to this equipment as a student made the transition to my first job at General Motors so much easier. By giving back, I wanted to make sure that future students have the same opportunities I did.”

It is true that for most students, financial resources are limited. Even so, it’s not too early to establish a habit of charitable giving. Whether your charitable dollars support MSU’s College of Engineering, your church, or an organization that is especially important to you, your participation is a tangible way for you to demonstrate what matters most to you.

So take baby steps to establish a habit of giving. It’s okay to start small. As you think about what you can afford to do, consider giving up one latte or one pizza per week and instead donating that money to a charitable cause that is important to you. With this in mind, why not direct your contribution to support engineering students who follow in your footsteps? All gifts, regardless of amount, make a difference!

Engineering seniors, if you are reading this, you are now eligible for the next senior class drawing! To learn how to register for the drawing, or for more information about the Senior Class Challenge, click here. Thank you for your interest in learning about the impact of charitable giving on your education!

Alumnus and spouse celebrate a lifetime of giving to MSU Engineering

2006-02-28T10:38:00.000-08:00

Left: Chuck and Mary Kay Brady with Acting Dean Satish Udpa

You might be surprised to learn that Chuck Brady, a 1948 mechanical engineering graduate, made his first gift 50 years ago! His first gift, in the amount of $10, was received in 1956.

Two weeks ago, Acting Dean Satish Udpa had the privilege of visiting Chuck and his wife Mary Kay in Naples, Florida and presenting them with a memento commemorating their membership in the John A. Hannah Society. The Hannah Society, one of MSU’s most distinctive donor societies, recognizes the generosity of individuals who have given or pledged $50,000-99,999 to MSU and its many programs over the course of their lifetimes.

Chuck and Mary Kay Brady are in good company, as there are literally hundreds of engineering alumni and friends who are members of a MSU donor recognition society. These individuals have chosen to contribute to MSU and the College of Engineering to ensure that you and your peers receive the best education possible. To learn more about MSU’s donor societies, click here.

Gift Spotlight: Endowment Established to Support Women in Engineering

2006-02-24T06:24:00.000-08:00

In an effort to promote initiatives that benefit women in engineering and to encourage female students to pursue engineering degrees, six alumni contributed a total of $60,000 to create the Women in Engineering Excellence Fund: Jennifer Charters (BSCSE 1994); Kathleen Gravino (BSME 1981); Jill Katic (BSME 1995 and BA German 1995); Kristin Ramey (BSME 1997); Betty Shanahan (BSEE 1978); and Karolyn Tiefenbach (MBA 1996). This endowment will provide funding for programs and activities to promote women in engineering - including the activities of the Society of Women Engineers - and for scholarship support for individuals pursuing an engineering degree at MSU. The fund may also be used to support pre-collegiate programs and other K-12 activities that motivate women students to consider engineering as a profession.

Questions or comments on E-News

2006-02-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

Do you have a question or a comment about one of the posts you've read on MSU Engineering Development Student E-News?

To submit a question or comment:

- Click the "Comment" button at the lower right hand side of the post.
- Type your question or comment under "Leave Your Comment."
- If you have a Blogger account, you may login with your user name and password, then click "Login and Publish"
- If you do not have a Blogger account, you may choose one of the other options.
"Other" allows you to type in your name or a pseudonym.
"Anonymous" allows you to remain, well, anonymous.
Choose one of the above options, then click "Login and Publish."

You may also submit your question or comment to Liz Dalsey in Engineering Development at dalseyel@egr.msu.edu.

Did you know? - Cuts in state support affect all students

2006-01-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

Did you know that all students - not just those with a "resident" status - are affected by cuts in state support?

Here's how: state funding and tuition are used to balance the College's operating expenses. When you see cuts in state funding, tuition - both in-state and out-of-state - must compensate. Unfortunately, the trend of declining state support will not end anytime soon, which means tuition will continue its upward trajectory.

This is one reason why donations from alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations are so important. With increased charitable support, MSU can reduce: 1) its dependence on state support and 2) tuition "sticker shock" for all students.

Motivated student becomes dedicated alumnus

2006-01-28T09:20:00.000-08:00

(Photo, left: Jeff in Car #100 at the International Formula SAE Competition in 1997)

Anyone who knows Jeff Schmitz would agree that he bleeds green. A 1997 mechanical engineering graduate, he was a dynamic student. Nine years later, Jeff is an energetic and successful alumnus who recognizes the importance of giving back – both as a volunteer and a donor - to his alma mater.

As a student, Jeff immersed himself in various activities and organizations on campus. Among his many accomplishments, he served as project manager for the 1997 MSU Formula SAE Team. Under his leadership, the MSU team received the Outstanding Sportsmanship Award, the Spirit of Excellence Award, and placed tenth overall at the international Formula SAE competition.

(Photo, right: Jeff with his daughter, Claudia)

As an alumnus, Jeff continues to stay closely connected to the College of Engineering. He has been a mentor and steward for the MSU Formula SAE Team since 1998. In this role, he fosters relationships with current and past team members through career development, recruitment, mentoring, and financial and personal time contributions. During his tenure as a Vehicle Development Engineer at DaimlerChrysler, Jeff was the team leader for the DaimlerChrysler College Relations Team, where he coordinated recruiting and diversity activities, and rallied support for the DaimlerChrysler In-House campaign. In the latter role, he encouraged his colleagues to take advantage of DaimlerChrysler’s 2:1 matching gift program, which triples the size of their gift. Jeff has also been an invaluable volunteer advisor to the College. He served two terms on the College of Engineering’s Alumni Board, and is a member of the Board of Visitors for the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Most recently he was on campus during engineering design day as a judge for the prestigious inaugural Edison award for excellence in the senior capstone project.

Besides being an active volunteer, Jeff is a long-time donor who has given annually since he graduated in 1997. Jeff and his wife Karen are members of the Beaumont Tower Society, an MSU donor society that recognizes lifetime giving between $25,000 and $49,999. Jeff and Karen have directed most of their support to the College of Engineering, particularly the MSU Formula SAE Team. In fact, they were among a group of young alumni and friends who recently established the Gary L. Cloud MSU Formula Racing Team Endowment, an endowed fund that offers a permanent, flexible stream of support to the MSU Formula SAE Team.

“I owe my success to the education and opportunities I experienced at MSU,” said Jeff. “I’m happy to be in a position to give back, and I hope other alumni will do the same. Together, our support will ensure future generations of engineering students have the opportunities and resources to succeed. "

Gift Spotlight - Larian Scholarship and Formula SAE Endowment

2006-01-18T11:16:00.000-08:00

The College of Engineering receives extraordinary support from extraordinary people. Many of the gifts the College receives are intended to make a difference in the lives of engineering students (namely, YOU). One of our new recurring sections, entitled "The Gift Spotlight," is where we will highlight just a few of these contributions. If you have questions about any of these gifts, please contact Liz Dalsey at (dalseyel@egr.msu.edu).

Larian Scholarship Celebrates its 30th Anniversary

On October 13, a dinner celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Larian Scholarship was held at MSU's Cowles House. Pictured with Mrs. Gifford are the 2005/2006 recipients of the Larian Scholarship.

The Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, together with Mrs. Sara Larian Gifford, is pleased to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Maurice G. & Sara V. Larian Scholarship, one of the first scholarships within the College of Engineering. Established in 1974, this endowment provides scholarships to students pursuing a chemical engineering degree at MSU. Since its inception, more than 250 students have received a Larian Scholarship award.

The Maurice G. & Sara V. Larian Scholarship was originally created by Sara Larian Gifford as a means of paying tribute to the memory of her late husband, Dr. Maurice G. Larian, Professor Emeritus of chemical engineering. The scholarship has grown over the years, thanks in part to continuing gifts from Mrs. Larian Gifford, friends, and several successful chemical engineering graduates, particularly Michael Dennos (ChE 1943) -- a former student of Larian’s.

Young Alums Create Endowment for Formula SAE

Photo, from left to right: Scott Kleman (ME BS 2003; MS 2004); Brenna Mayer (ME BS 2003); Jeff Schmitz (ME BS 1997); Gary Cloud; Jon Eppler (ME BS 2001); Robert Erfurt (ME BS 1999); Dagan Mishoulam (ME BS 2004); Jon Denton. This group of Formula SAE alumni recently gathered to celebrate the creation of the Gary L. Cloud MSU Formula Racing Team Endowment.

Last spring, eight former members of MSU Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) pooled their dollars to create the Gary L. Cloud MSU Formula Racing Team Endowment. This endowment will provide a permanent stream of flexible funding for MSU Formula SAE. The founders of the endowment – all under age 35 – named the endowment for Mechanical Engineering Professor Gary Cloud, in honor of his steadfast support as adviser to the Formula SAE team. The endowment continues to gain support from avid fans and alumni of MSU Formula SAE.

The Campaign for MSU Update - January 2006

2006-01-18T11:04:00.000-08:00

If you’ve spent any amount of time on campus, you’ve probably heard about The Campaign for MSU, the largest capital campaign in the history of Michigan State University.

So, what exactly is a capital campaign, anyway?

A capital campaign is a large fundraising campaign spread over a period of years to raise money for the most urgent needs within an organization. Michigan State University’s needs include:
- new buildings
- lab renovations
- equipment
- endowments to support scholarships and fellowships
- funds for activities and projects

All of these priorities serve to strengthen the value of the MSU educational experience…and ultimately will strengthen the value of your degree, as well.

The Campaign for MSU was publicly launched in fall 2002, with an overall campaign goal of $1.2 billion. Included in the overall goal is the College of Engineering’s campaign target of $209 million. The Campaign for MSU will continue to gather support for students, faculty and staff until 2007, when the campaign draws to a close.

Michigan State University Goal: $1.2 billion
Progress to Date: $1.05 billion

College of Engineering Goal: $209 million
Progress to Date: $184.4 million

Welcome!

2006-01-06T07:44:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Engineering Development Student E-News! This blog is designed to keep engineering students up-to-date on the latest fundraising initiatives within the College of Engineering. These initiatives directly affect the quality of education all engineering students receive! We hope you find this blog interesting and useful. Feel free to post your questions or comments, or you may also contact Liz Dalsey (dalseyel@egr.msu.edu) at Engineering Development at 355-8339.

Doughnuts with Development

2006-01-06T07:42:00.001-08:00

Doughnuts with Development: Krispy Kremes in the College of Engineering

Original glazed, chocolate glazed, sprinkles, sour cream, cruller, you name it, Krispy Kreme makes it and on Wednesday December 7th five hundred plus doughnuts filled the lobby of the Engineering School. Engineering students took a study break to enjoy doughnuts with development. As the semester was coming to a close, Engineering Development wanted to let students know that the College's many alumni, donors, and friends were thinking about them. With project deadlines and exams approaching Development felt that students needed and deserved a study break! And what better way to show support and provide encouragement than with doughnuts?

Engineering development allows for meaningful involvement in the future of the College of Engineering through charitable donations. From the generosity of donors, engineering development preserves and enhances every aspect of the College, in addition to the lives of every past, present and future student.

It might be surprising to discover just how diverse the work of development is. So the next time you are in the College, look around. The computer lab you are working in, the equipment you are using, the scholarships that are provided, and the assistance offered to your student organization are supported through the generosity of alumni and friends. Development makes certain that time spent at MSU is the best it can possibly be for you and the next generation of engineering students.

Welcome back to school and remember development is everywhere!

Did you know? - Evidence of Charitable Support is Everywhere!

2006-01-06T07:40:00.000-08:00

Did you know that charitable support from the College of Engineering’s alumni and friends is evidenced everywhere you look? While tuition and state funding cover the College’s operating expenses, donations from engineering alumni ensure that your education will be as cutting edge as theirs was when they were students.

Each year, over $5 million in gifts from alumni and friends support:
- More than 300 engineering scholarships
- Lab additions like the new Energy and Automotive Research Lab
- Programs such as study abroad and senior design activities
- Activities such as Formula SAE, Concrete Canoe, and Design Day
- Organizations like the SEC, SHPE, SWE, NSBE, and AIChE

Because you are the recipients of these charitable gifts, we are pleased to share how this support impacts your education. So, next time you’re on campus, take a look around and remember that it’s all made possible by the generosity of alumni and friends of the College of Engineering!

We want to hear from you!

2006-01-06T07:39:00.000-08:00

This blog was designed with you in mind. If you have topic suggestions for future issues of Engineering Development Student E-News, please send them to Liz Dalsey (dalseyel@egr.msu.edu).

Special Section for Graduating Engineering Students

2006-01-06T07:06:00.000-08:00

Do you want to leave a mark on your future alma mater?

Are you interested in helping to make the College of Engineering an even better place for those who will be in your classes, labs and organizations in the years ahead?

Did you know that YOU - a soon-to-be graduate of the College of Engineering - can support the programs and activities that have had the greatest influence on your education and benefited you most? It’s possible through the Engineering Senior Class Challenge!

It’s not how much you give, it’s that you give…

We know that cash is tight for students. That’s why the primary goal of the Engineering Senior Class Challenge is to encourage participation from all graduating engineering students by the end of the 2005–2006 school year, regardles of amount. Your gift to the engineering program that matters most to you – of whatever amount is most comfortable to you - ensures that future engineering students will receive the same high-caliber education that you currently receive. If you need a suggestion, we encourage members of the Class of 2006 to represent their graduating class with a gift of $20.06.

Learn more about charitable giving...and win one of our great prizes!

If you are reading this, you are probably interested in learning about the impact of charitable giving on your education. To thank you for your interest, you are now eligible to enter a drawing (regardless of whether you support the campaign or not). To do so, please send an email to Liz Dalsey (dalseyel@egr.msu.edu) with your name, telephone number, and email address. The sooner you respond, the more times you are eligible!

You could win:

If you contact us by March 31, you could win a $20 gift certificate to Best Buy

If you contact us by April 7, you could win a $20 gift certificate to the College Store

If you contact us by April 14, you could win a $20 gift certificate to the College Store

If you contact us by April 21, you could win THE GRAND PRIZE...an MSU embossed diploma frame, valued at $125!

TO MAKE A GIFT

Not sure which fund best matches your interests? Contact Liz (dalseyel@egr.msu.edu) in Engineering Development for assistance.

Making a gift to the Engineering Student Challenge is quick and easy! Choose one of the following options:

Give Online

To make your credit card gift online, click here

(https://www.givingto.msu.edu/donate/)

When you make your online contribution, be sure to indicate how you want your gift to be used.

Give by Mail

Your gift can be mailed to:

Engineering Development

3536 Engineering Building

East Lansing, MI 48824

Please make your check payable to "Michigan State University" and be sure to include the name of the program you wish to support on the memo line of your check.

Give in Person

To make your gift in person, stop by our office anytime Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. We are located at Suite 3536 of the Engineering Building (south end of the third floor).

Give by Phone

To make a credit card gift by phone, please call: 1-800-232-4MSU or 517-355-8257. Be sure to mention the name of the program you wish to support.