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Ford Donates $3 Million to Michigan Technological University

4 October 1999

Ford Donates $3 Million to Michigan Technological University

    DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 4 -- Ford Motor Company has
awarded Michigan Technological University a 5-year grant totaling $3 million
to fund several on-campus initiatives ranging from student scholarships to
facilities support.  The grant underscores Ford and Michigan Tech's commitment
to environmental stewardship and dedication to fostering diversity.
    "We're very grateful for this level of support, which indicates Ford's
confidence in Michigan Tech's ability to produce quality graduates," said
Michigan Tech President Curt Tompkins.  "We're pursuing partnerships with a
number of corporations that will position each party to realize the greatest
mutual value.  Our relationship with Ford is the most comprehensive
partnership of its type to date.
    "A continued and expanded relationship between Ford and Michigan Tech is
both mutually beneficial and strategically important.  Michigan Tech regards
corporations as 'valued customers' of its principal products:  graduating
students and sponsored research.  Ford seeks the same things from
universities, and for years, Michigan Tech and Ford have had a solid
relationship."
    The $3 million grant supports educational programs for undergraduates as
well as students pursuing advanced degrees.  Among these are the Ford Careers
for the American Road Scholarship Program (CARS) for undergraduates, which
recognizes academic excellence at MTU, and the Ford Environmentally
Responsible Manufacturing Fellowships Program, which provides support for
students pursuing M.S. or Ph.D. degrees in several areas related to
environmentally responsible manufacturing.
    The contribution will fund the Research and Emerging Technology
Stewardship program, designed to help ensure that the university's graduates
are prepared to deal with cutting-edge technological issues in several fields
related to the automotive industry.  It also will support the Ford/Michigan
Tech Partnership for the Environment, which will focus on finding ingenious
solutions to environmental concerns.
    "This substantial Ford commitment will translate into an exciting slate of
student-focused activities, including a large scholarship program supporting
both merit and diversity candidates," said Gerald L. Haycock, Director of Core
and Advanced Powertrain Engineering in Ford's Research and Technology
organization.
    Haycock, Ford's executive sponsor for MTU, noted that this funding also
will support facilities connected to Michigan Tech's curricular reforms,
pre-college student recruitment, the Career Center, an environmental
partnership, research coordination, and student organizations.  "From our
perspective, the best means by which we can assure a strong work force for the
future is through strong and stable partnerships with key universities like
Michigan Tech."
    Tompkins noted that as companies face the challenges of the future, they
will require highly talented people with technical backgrounds to refresh the
work force.  Michigan Tech plans to respond to this need by continually
modifying program, adapting teaching methods, and maintaining high standards
in excellence in education, including life-long learning via distance
education and collaborations in employee training.