MSOE fundraising campaign an unprecedented success
| Published: 05/23/2006 |
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The largest fundraising campaign in Milwaukee School of Engineering's (MSOE) history has concluded and, after final tabulation, MSOE reports the receipt of $77 million in gifts, exceeding its $48 million goal. Commitments of deferred or planned gifts are not included in this total. The Second Century Challenge campaign, named in honor of MSOE's 1903 founding, was a five-year program.
The campaign allowed MSOE to strengthen its endowment and addressed critical needs, including: new and enhanced programs; increasing scholarships to students; adding and updating facilities, laboratories and classrooms; adding three new endowed chairs; building a health and wellness center; and upgrading its technology infrastructure.
It was the first major capital campaign since 1990, which raised $23.6 million. Additionally, the Second Century Challenge campaign increased awareness of the needs of the university among its constituents, resulting in record levels of giving to its Annual Fund program.
"The resounding success of the campaign demonstrates the confidence the community has in this unique institution and its future," said MSOE President Hermann Viets, Ph.D.
The campaign was a success thanks to alumni, companies, foundations, and friends, under the leadership of co-chairmen Dr. John Mellowes, chairman and CEO of Charter Manufacturing Co. Inc., and Dr. John Shiely, chairman, president and CEO of Briggs & Stratton Corp., and under the direction of Frank Habib, MSOE vice president for development.
"On behalf of the Board of Regents, we are deeply indebted to Drs. Mellowes and Shiely for their outstanding leadership in this fundraising effort," said Robert Hillis, chairman of the university's Board of Regents.
More than 7,800 donors contributed to the campaign. The success of this campaign assures that MSOE is on solid footing to educate the next generation of business, health-care and engineering professionals who will be the fuel for our nation's economy.
"Because of the outstanding financial support received through the campaign, MSOE continues to distinguish itself from other institutions through the undergraduate educational experience afforded its students - students who are highly valued by business and industry," said Mellowes.
"During the Second Century Challenge campaign, significant support was generated from all sectors of MSOE's constituency, remarked Shiely. "It is imperative that the university sustains and strengthens its ties to the business/corporate community for the benefit of its students, its graduates and the state of Wisconsin."
Second Century Challenge Campaign Components:
ŸAnnual program support
ŸStudent scholarships
ŸEndowment
New endowed chairs:
1) The John and Linda Mellowes Endowed Professorship in the Mechanical Engineering Department
2) The Pieper Family Endowed Chair for Servant-Leadership, funded by the S&R Pieper Family Foundation
3) The Uihlein/Spitzer Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship, funded by David V. and Margery Uihlein
ŸFacilities/campus growth:
Campus footprint - 16 acres (20 percent growth)
Three new buildings acquired:
1) Kern Center, a 210,000-square-foot recreation, athletic, health and wellness facility. The award-winning, $31 million project is fully funded, with a majority of the cost (more than 75 percent) donated by Dr. Robert and Dr. Patricia Kern and The Kern Family Foundation. In addition, Dr. and Mrs. Eckhart and Ischi Grohmann provided the funds to acquire the property.
2) Murphy House is named after Greta Werwath Murphy, the daughter of MSOE's founder, who donated her Lake Michigan-shore home in Belgium, Wis. It serves as a retreat center and provides rooms for seminars and conferences in a beautiful setting.
3) Rosenberg Hall houses the Rader School of Business, classrooms, offices and a study lounge. The building's purchase was a result of the generosity of 1950 alumnus Kenneth and Doris Rosenberg.
ŸLaboratories and classrooms:
Advanced Manufacturing Technology Laboratory
Alvin and Marion Birnschein Laboratory
Brady Corporation Executive Classroom
Harley-Davidson/Lee Georgeson Design Laboratory
High Impact and Structures Center
Johnson Controls Inc. Software Development Lab
Northwestern Mutual Foundation Spirit Room
ŸComputer information and communication technology:
Entire campus re-wired
WiFi available in most areas
Campus-wide integrated software system
Advanced laboratory capabilities
ŸArt collection:
Man at Work: The Eckhart G. Grohmann Collection at Milwaukee School of Engineering, the world's most comprehensive collection of industrial art, comprises more than 600 European and American paintings and sculptures that depict various forms of work.
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MSOE is an independent university with about 2,400 students. MSOE offers 17 bachelor's degrees and seven master's degrees in the engineering, engineering technology, architectural engineering and building construction, computer, business and health-related fields.