HOUGHTON, MI--Michigan Tech's Leaders for Innovation Campaign has received a gift of $240,000 from the estate of Leimo and Jennie Immonen to fund the Leimo G. and Jennie R. Immonen Endowed Scholarship for students majoring in mining engineering at MTU.
Leimo grew up in Hancock, MI and in 1924 he graduated from the then Michigan College of Mines with a degree in mining engineering. In 1945 he also earned a degree in metallurgical engineering from Michigan Tech. On Feb. 27 he married Jennie R. De La Mare in Copperhill, TN. He then pursued a professional career in nonferrous and precious metals production with large engineering firms in the United States, Canada, and South America. He and Jennie retired in 1971 in Reno, NV.
Leimo died Oct. 13, 1998 in Reno at the age of 95. Jennie preceded him in death on Feb. 10, 1991.
He was a founder and member of the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum, a life member and member of the Legion of Honor of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, a member of the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America, and was listed in Who's Who in Finance and Industry.
In addition to his professional and civic activities, he was a longtime supporter of Michigan Tech, serving as a member of the Presidents Society, the Second Century Society, the Alumni Association Golden M Club, and the Mining Academy. Prior to his estate gift, he had contributed $55,000 to the University.
"We are grateful for Leimo's and Jennie's thoughtfulness on behalf of future generations of Michigan Tech students in mining engineering," said Dick Robbins, national campaign chair for Michigan Tech's Leaders for Innovation Campaign. "We are honored that they remembered Michigan Tech in their estate plan. Leimo was an outstanding alumnus and a true friend to Michigan Tech for more than 70 years."
Michigan Tech's Leaders for Innovation Campaign intends to raise $100 million for the University by 2003. The featured objectives of the campaign include investing in faculty, students, innovation, leadership, and quality.
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