Schools of Business, Forestry and Technology Projects

The Schools Project Descriptions - June 5, 1997

School of Forestry and Wood Products

Endowed Distinguished Lecture Series - $100K

A distinguished scientist, scholar, or corporate leader would be invited to MTU each quarter to present a seminar and lecture on various topics in forestry and wood science. This project will provide the exchange of scholarly information, encourage interdisciplinary research and collaboration, and provide students the opportunity to interact with leadrs in the forestry and wood science profession.

Ford Center Historical Endowment - $500K

To enhance and preserve the historical aspects of the Ford Center at Alberta, MI, including the development of a sawmilling museum and visitors center. The project will demonstrate the role that Henry Ford played in forest management and sawmilling, and the work MTU has done since Ford donated the Center to MTU. The visitor center will serve as the southern gateway to MTU and will contain information about MTU and its programs.

Endowed Graduate Fellowships - $150K

Establish a series of donor designated endowments for graduate fellowships in various areas related to forestry, wood science, ecology, and plant biotechnology. The fellowships will demonstrate the university’s commitment to graduate education, and also result in attracting higher quality students to the graduate programs.

Undergraduate Scholarship Fund - $500K

Fund will provide scholarships for students majoring in forestry or wood science. The funds will demonstrate the university’s commitment to undergraduate education, while helping to maintain MTU’s affordability.

Endowed Professorship in Wildlife Ecology - $2M

Fund a faculty position in wildlife ecology. This professorship will provide the ability to attract excellent faculty and graduate students, and attract research funding. The university’s reputation will be enhanced through the publication of scholarly publications authored through this position.

Endowed Professorship in Plant Biotechnology - $2M

An endowed professorship will provide the ability to attract excellent faculty and graduate students, and attract research funding. The University’s reputation will be enhanced through the publication of scholarly publications authored through this position.

Loret Miller Ruppe Peace Corps Masters International Program Fellowship - $150K

Establish an endowment to provide graduate stipends in the Loret Miller Ruppe Peace Corps Masters International Program. The available funds would be divided among the students enrolled in the program based upon the established milestones they have reached within the program.

School of Forestry and wood Products Student Travel Endowment - $100K

Establish an endowment to support student travel to professional meetings. This project shows university commitment in developing young professionals and leadership skills.

School of Technology

School of Technology Center - $??

Existing teaching laboratories are not adequate for conducting long=term student projects since the labs must be available for instructional purposes. The new degree program in Chemical Engineering Technology will place an additional demand on the teaching laboratory facilities when it comes on-line in 1997. Concurrent with the search for additional laboratory space, a building was donated to MTU. Renovations are needed to bring the facility up to various occupancy codes.

Programmable Controller Laboratory Upgrade - $100K

This proposal is to upgrade to a state-of-the-art programmable controller laboratory for teaching courses to engineering technology, engineering, and science students. The students will develop sophisticated control programs using ladder logic with structured programming being emphasized. The PLC lab will also be used for workshops and seminars for the campus community and local high school teachers.

School of Business and Economics

Sam B. Tidwell Center for Business Student Excellence - $1M

The primary goal will be to enhance the personal and professional growth of students enrolled in the School of Business and Economics. There are numerous benefits that will accrue from the establishment of the Tidwell Center. While SBE students will be the primary recipients of these benefits, MTU and the SBE will also be beneficiaries of this initiative.

New building Project - School of Business and Economics - $7M

The nature of this project is the construction of a new 40,000 sq. Ft. building. This building would contain approximately 30 faculty offices, five administrative offices, 10 modern (multimedia equipped) classrooms, three computer instruction rooms (1 computer lab and 2 computer instruction rooms capable of facilitating group decision support applications), and a large lecture hall. This project is extremely important to the university and the School of Business and Economics as it will a) assist MTU in demonstrating its technological leadership; and b) enhance the competitive position of the SBE as it battles for regional market share in the 21st Century.

Undergraduate Full-Tuition Scholarship Program - $4M

Secure sufficient endowed funds to establish 25 four-year, full-tuition, scholarships designated for students attending MTU’s School of Business and Economics. The program would place both in a more competitive position relative to enrolling highly qualified students.

Chaired Professor of Accounting - $2M

Recruit and hire a nationally recognized senior professor in the area of accounting. It would enhance the reputation of both the university and the School of Business and Economics thereby facilitating other areas such as: faculty recruiting, student recruiting, faculty retention, student retention, expanded student placement capabilities, and increased alumni interest.

Chaired Professor of Management Information Systems - $2M

Recruit and hire a nationally recognized senior professor in the area of management information systems (MIS). It would enhance the reputation of both the university and the School of Business and Economics thereby facilitating other areas such as: faculty recruiting, student recruiting, faculty retention, student retention, expanded student placement capabilities, and increased alumni interest.