Hoveida Family Foundation gift advances WMU power systems and grid resilience research
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—As electricity demand reaches record highs in the United States and concerns about power systems and grid infrastructure continue to grow worldwide, the need for a skilled workforce and forward-thinking researchers focused on next-generation grid technologies is urgent. A new gift from the Hoveida Family Foundation will help Western Michigan University expand its research and educational efforts in this critical area.
"I am proud to be able to invest in my alma mater through the Hoveida Family Foundation,” says Bahman Hoveida, B.S.E.’79, president of the Hoveida Family Foundation and president and CEO of Accurant International. “WMU’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences has faculty expertise and research in power systems, grid resilience and high-voltage engineering that uniquely positions it to address the critical challenges facing our energy infrastructure.”
The gift will fund new laboratory facilities dedicated to power electronics, complementing Western’s existing power and energy curriculum. Power electronics serve as the primary interface for grid management and emerging solid-state grid management systems.
“The Hoveida Family Foundation’s generous investment will strengthen WMU’s leadership in power systems, grid resilience and emerging energy technologies,” says Dr. Steve Butt, dean of WMU’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. “Through expanded research capabilities, new laboratory resources, and enhanced student learning opportunities, this gift will help us educate the engineers and innovators needed to build the resilient energy infrastructure of the future.”
“With our existing curriculum, research and facilities, and this new gift, we are addressing current societal challenges and preparing for future energy demands,” says Dr. Sandun Kuruppu, WMU professor of electrical and computer engineering. “We are developing innovative solutions to manage the grid, improve resilience and reliability, and enable faster recovery during power failures, improvements that directly benefit communities and everyday life.”
The funding will support research initiatives and provide training opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students working with cutting-edge power electronics systems designed to enhance power quality and grid reliability. The funding will also provide scholarships for undergraduate students, research assistantships for graduate students and support for students traveling to conferences.
“The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is proud to be able to expand our current educational opportunities to students interested in pursuing careers in power systems and build a top talent pipeline for the power systems industry,” says Dr. Radu Babiceanu, chair of the WMU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
“Students with power systems knowledge can make an immediate impact because specialized utility engineering skills are difficult to develop without formal exposure,” says Megan Hayward, director of high voltage distribution planning at Consumers Energy, an industry partner with WMU. “Employers are looking for graduates who can combine traditional electrical engineering fundamentals with data analytics, automation, artificial intelligence and systems thinking. The power industry offers one of the greatest opportunities for engineers to make a visible impact on society.”
“This gift will support this important and timely research and expand opportunities for students to contribute to solutions that will shape the future,” says Hoveida. Hoveida is also a 2025 recipient of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Alumni Excellence Award.
The Hoveida Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that provides grants to support scientific causes that improve people’s lives and positively impact the environment and humanity.
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