HOUGHTON--Michigan Tech has received its third installment from the Ford Motor Company Fund toward a 5-year, multi-million dollar Business Plan established between the automaker and the University in 1999.

The Ford gift provides funding for several on-campus initiatives ranging from student scholarships and environmentally responsible manufacturing programs to diversity efforts and facilities support. New initiatives this year include creation of the Ford Motor Company Student Enterprise Center, an advanced degree engineering program, and the Capstone Design Project.

The Student Enterprise Center will house Michigan Tech's engineering design and business of technology educational program. This new approach to engineering education will set a new standard for breadth and depth in engineering education, according to University officials, empowering future graduates with both a strong foundation in an engineering discipline and hands-on competence in the business of technology. As a multi-year, multi-disciplinary curricular option, the program intends to simulate a real-world business environment by creating companies, or enterprises, which are managed by students. Construction on the Center is projected to get under way in 2002.

"We believe our company's commitment to the Ford Motor Company Student Enterprise Center will enable this new approach to engineering education and will help expand the scope of undergraduate education to provide the team-based, hands-on experience in the business of technology that industry finds so valuable in its new hires," said Dan Kapp, Ford's director of Core & Advanced Powertrain Engineering.

Ford has also decided to provide additional scholarship funding to MTU to help meet the company's future needs for employees with advanced engineering degrees. The company expects to require as many as 50 percent of its future full-time hires to have advanced degrees. The new advanced degree program is expected to ensure a steady supply of highly talented engineering graduates, with adequate representation of women and minorities to meet Ford's recruiting objectives.

The newly created Capstone Design Project funds automotive oriented senior design projects that will allow Michigan Tech seniors, typically grouped in teams of 5 or more, to obtain experience working with Ford engineers on current industry problems in ways that will benefit the automotive world.

"Since April of 2000, the Ford Motor Company has given Michigan Tech both cash gifts and gifts-in-kind in addition to the Business Plan funding, and has also provided us with important research funding," said MTU President Curt Tompkins. "This level of support demonstrates Ford's commitment to our students and enhances our continuing and expanding relationship with the company. We're very grateful for this kind of strong corporate backing that enables Michigan Tech to continue to develop cutting edge educational programs that benefit our students, industry, and the general economy."

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06/26/01-MTN041