Donor Recognition

The success of WMU's College of Engineering & Applied Sciences is due much in part to the many gifts we receive from our alumni and friends. These individuals, companies and foundations provide us with valuable dollars and equipment that continue to have impact long after the funds have been expended or the equipment has outlasted its usefulness. We recognize a few of these donors here.

Marc H. Cohen: Marc is a WMU College of Engineering & Applied Sciences graduate with a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (BS '87). In September 2009, he made a $10,000 cash gift to benefit the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Engineering. His gift, made to the Chair's Discretionary Fund, allows the chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Engineering to direct funds where they are most needed in the department. This includes providing funding to areas such as: students attending professional conferences, those making presentations at competitions, providing monies to student organizations or even providing funds to faculty for necessary travel and/or student projects. This type of gift allows the department to use the funds in ways most beneficial at that moment in time.

Consumers Energy Foundation: In August 2009, Consumers Energy Foundation/Consumers Energy provided $34,000 in funding in support of the purchase of equipment for faculty/student research projects. These projects included "Environment Chamber for Wind Turbine Material Testing", "1-KW Fuel Cell System", and "Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Onboard Data Acquisition System." Most of the equipment was used in senior engineering design projects culminating in presentations being made at the Senior Engineering Design Conference held on April 20, 2010 at the College of Engineering & Applied Sciences. To date, Consumers Energy and their foundation have made gifts totaling nearly $360,000 to the University community.

DENSO North America Foundation/DENSO Manufacturing-Michigan: In July 2009, DENSO N.A. Foundation made a gift of $20,000 in support of the "Development of Smart Vehicles Laboratory for Future Engineering Workforce." This gift was made as part of DENSO's annual Request for Proposals that supports engineering programs and student projects, which promote and enhance the training required for entry into the automotive industry. This type of support advances undergraduate student understanding and application of automotive products and/or systems. The funds support capital investment (equipment) or student projects in gasoline, diesel or hybrid propulsion; thermal systems, such as climate control for hybrid vehicles, fuel cells and similar alternative fuels; navigation features and systems, power electronics, electrical systems architecture and A/C cooling loop, actuator (innovation products or methods); information display including both lighting techniques and electronic capabilities; or manufacturing technologies (e.g., thermal de-oiling, brazing, assembly automation). The Smart Vehicles Laboratory project was also presented as part of the College of Engineering & Applied Sciences Senior Design Conference on April 20, 2010. Through DENSO's continued support, they have made gifts totaling nearly $382,000 in their 19-year association with the college and university.

Entergy Nuclear's Palisades Power Plant: In April 2010, Entergy Nuclear's Palisades Power Plant in Covert, Michigan made a gift of $25,000 to support the Sunseeker Solar Race Team. The Sunseeker Solar Race Project brings together students from all academic disciplines and gives them the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to a hands-on project using teamwork to achieve a common goal. The culmination of the solar vehicle project is a cross-country intercollegiate solar car challenge. The team promotes the use of renewable alternative energy and the advancement of related technologies by educating the public through the presentation and demonstration of a solar powered vehicle. Entergy also made a $25,000 gift in 2009 in support of the solar vehicle race team.

Mitsubishi Motors North America: In September 2009, through the assistance of John D. Koenig, a College of Engineering & Applied Sciences Alumnus (BS '69 , Mechanical Engineering Technology), Mitsubishi Motors provided an in-kind gift of a 2008 MY Outlander Sport Utility Vehicle for research and study purposes by students in the Mechanical Engineering program. This gift had an after market value of $13,000 and is an invaluable tool for use by our students.

OMNOVA Solutions Foundation: Through a combined gift of $50,000 in the spring of 2010, the OMNOVA Solutions Foundation provided support for the Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Imaging Department (PCI) for graduate research projects, faculty development and undergraduate student scholarships. With this gift, OMNOVA Solutions and their Foundation have made gifts totaling more than $700,000 to the College of Engineering & Applied Sciences at Western Michigan University. Their continued support of the PCI Department has resulted in ongoing significant research and educational practices vital to the paper and printing industries, but more importantly, this relationship has served to motivate and empower our students to feel passionate and hungry for success in the industry.

Margaret J. Strong: In September 2009, Margaret J. Strong, a life-long resident of the Kalamazoo Community, made an ever-lasting tribute to her late father, Wilfred Strong. She established the Wilfred & Margaret J. Strong Endowed Scholarship in Civil & Construction Engineering at the College of Engineering & Applied Science at Western Michigan University. This estate gift will provide valuable scholarship dollars to the Civil & Construction Engineering Department to award to promising students enrolling in civil and construction engineering. This enduring gift provides well into the future of the program, and we will see benefits for years to come.

Telemark Corporation: In November 2009, the Telemark Corporation made a $10,000 gift in support of the Charles W. Thomasma Printing/Imaging Scholarship and the Printing & Imaging Management program in the College of Engineering & Applied Sciences. This endowed scholarship, originally established in 1998, was created as a memorial by the CEO of Telemark Corporation and WMU Alumnus, Thomas J. Thomasma (BBA '75). Now known as Telemark Diversified Graphics (TDG), the company is a leading provider of ATM receipts, Parking Citations, RX Paper, Mobile Printer Rolls and Point-of-Sale Paper.