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Drs. Robert and Patricia Kern are long time MSOE supporters who have changed the face of MSOE. Through their phenomenal support of the Kern Center, which opened in 2004, the Kerns have provided first-class exercise and sports facilities for all MSOE students, faculty and staff. In addition, the Kerns made it possible for MSOE to move beyond an itinerant status in basketball, volleyball, wrestling and ice hockey.
Robert and Patricia Kern founded Generac Power Systems in 1954, producing generators for the industrial and consumer markets. Over the next fifty years they developed Generac into a notable company with 1500 employees and multiple manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, Iowa, England and Japan. The company was sold in 2006 and resulted in the establishment of the Kern Family Foundation, chaired by Patricia Kern.
Robert Kern has served MSOE as a member of Board of Regents since 1992. Patricia Kern holds an MSOE Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree and Robert Kern holds an MSOE Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree.