Center Underscores MTU Commitment to Undergrad Education
HOUGHTON--Michigan Technological
University's new Student Innovation Center will prepare undergraduates
for a "seamless transition to industry," Dr. William Predebon,
chair of the mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics department,
told a crowd of alumni and well-wishers Friday at the center's grand opening.
The center is a high point
of the department's Building for the Future Campaign, which has raised
more than $2.4 million toward its $2.8-million goal. "This first
phase is focussed on the students," Predebon said. The center's high-end
facilities will prepare mechanical engineering undergraduates for careers
in the global marketplace. Combined with the newly updated curriculum,
the center will provide students the hands-on skills they will need to
succeed after graduation.
Daniel Rivard, chair of the
Building for the Future Campaign, called the Student Innovation Center
"the physical embodiment of Bill's [Predebon's] vision.
"But as bright and shining
as these facilities are, the faculty's vision is twice as bright,"
he said, praising their efforts to develop the department's new curricula.
Michigan Tech President Curt
Tompkins said the center and the revised curricula are symbolic of the
University's commitment to undergraduate education. "Our mission
is to prepare students to create the future," he said. "It's
at the core of what we've been doing here for the last 116 years."
The Student Innovation Center
includes a Design and Creativity Center, where senior students will develop
product designs, and a Product Realization Center, where they can bring
their designs to reality. In addition, a Student Success Center, primarily
for sophomores and juniors, has been established to help students progress
toward their degrees.
The Student Innovation Center
was made possible by many generous gifts from alumni, corporate sponsors,
and friends of the department. Major gifts from alumni were contributed
by Herman and Josephine Cuskie and MTU Board of Control member Martin
Lagina and his family.
8/3/01--MTN062
