President Moudgil retiring, closing out a successful decade
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S UM M E R/FA L L 2021
LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
President Moudgil retiring,
closing out a successful decade
New programs in data science and analysis, AI, physician assistant studies, healthcare administration
Donor scholarships transform lives | LTU’s massive economic impact | Giving Day a success | Alumni news | and more
Summer 2021
Volume XL, Number 2
Published by Lawrence Technological
University, Office of Marketing and
Public Affairs, 21000 West Ten Mile
Road, Southfield, MI 48075-1058;
248.204.2200 or 800.225.5588, ext. 4
Fax 248.204.2318
LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
mktngpub@ltu.edu
Virinder K. Moudgil
President
Editor: Bruce J. Annett, Jr.
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
(bannett@ltu.edu)
Managing Editor: Matt Roush
(mroush@ltu.edu)
Design: NetWorks Design, Inc.
Writers: Bruce J. Annett, Jr., Pam
Houghton, Kristie Persinger-McKague,
37
Alumni Notes – Career news, awards,
Matt Roush, and others
and more from LTU and DIT alumni near
Editorial Support: Pam Houghton,
Robin Leclerc, Sofia Lulgjuraj, Brandé
Oliver, Kristie Persinger-McKague,
2 16 and far
Renee Tambeau, Julie Vulaj
Photography: Gary Duncan, Tyquan
Jackson, Justin Munter, Matt Roush,
Glenn Triest, and others
Transformations: What’s new
at LTU – A bevy of new degrees in
healthcare administration, physician
assistant studies, artificial intelligence,
On Campus – A second virtual
Commencement, the state’s youngest
architect, LTU’s massive economic
impact, and much more
39
Friends We’ll Miss
© 2021 Lawrence Technological and data science, along with a new push
in sponsored research, signal increased
University. All rights reserved. Bylined
articles reflect the author’s views and breadth and depth in LTU’s academic Back
not necessarily either the opinions
or the policies of the University.
offerings Cover
Comments about the magazaine,
articles, or letters may be sent to the LTU named – the nation’s No. 3
university in automotive engineering
29
editor. Send address changes to the
postal, fax, or email addresses listed
above.
Notice of non-discriminatory
policy: Lawrence Technological Alumni News – New names and
University adheres and conforms to
all federal, state, and local civil rights
regulations, statutes, and ordinances.
No person, student, faculty, or staff
member will knowingly be discrimi-
11
Moudgil era to end at LTU – Presi-
faces for LTU’s Philanthropy and Alumni
Engagement team, first-ever Giving Day
tops goals, LTU first in metro Detroit for
grads’ salaries, CoBIT enjoys a successful lawrencetechu
nated against relative to the above dent Virinder Moudgil announces his Alumni Month, and more
statutes. Lawrence Tech is an Equal retirement, ending a hugely successful LawrenceTechU
Opportunity Employer.
decade at the helm of the University
lawrencetech
* * * Lawrence Tech Alumni
Errata: A story on page 11 of the
Fall 2020 issue was miscredited. The
article headlined “Moving ‘theory
and practice’ online went better
than expected” was written by Pam
14 34
Golden Anniversary for Classes of
lawrencetechu
Houghton.
1970 and 1971 – Catch up with these
On the cover: LTU President Virinder Donor scholarships transform lives newest members of LTU’s 50-year club
K. Moudgil announced his retirement of four students – A second virtual
earlier this year, effective Dec. 31, and
a national search is under way for his
Commencement, the state’s young-
successor. LTU’s seventh president led est architect, LTU’s massive economic
the University through a successful impact, and much more
decade of growth and transformation.
See story, page 11. For the latest about Lawrence Tech, visit
Photo by Rick Smith. www.ltu.edu/news
When I arrived at LTU in 2012, my first quote
in this magazine concluded with
“It’s all about students. That’s why we’re here.”
Virinder K. Moudgil
F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T
Welcome to the summer-fall issue of Lawrence Tech.
T
his will be my last time writing a note in this space. While it is startups and existing companies develop advanced manufactured goods.
time for me to enjoy retirement with my family, I will truly miss We’ve also added intercollegiate sports and other student life en-
the daily interactions that the president of a small private univer- hancements, now boasting 30 athletic teams for our men and women.
sity has with alumni, faculty, staff, supporters—and most importantly, LTU’s Campus Security and Facilities have provided safety for students
students. and families, and for those working on projects during weekends and
:KHQ,DUULYHGDW/78LQP\ÀUVWTXRWHLQWKLVPDJD]LQH late evenings. The LTU community is able to enjoy a safe, secure and
concluded with “It’s all about students. That’s why we’re here.” I can ZHOOOLWFDPSXVZLWKHDVLO\LGHQWLÀHGQXPEHUHGEXLOGLQJV
tell you that as I enter the 10th year of working on the growth, develop- 1HZWUDGLWLRQVHQKDQFLQJ/78FXOWXUHLQFOXGHFUHDWLQJWKH2IÀFHRI
ment, and long-term success of this University, that opinion has only 'LYHUVLW\(TXLW\DQG,QFOXVLRQKRQRULQJVWDIIZLWKWKHODXQFKRIWKH
become stronger. (PSOR\HHRIWKH0RQWKWUDGLWLRQDQGUHFRJQL]LQJGHVHUYLQJIDFXOW\GXU-
LTU has seen much transformation – the construction of two new LQJWKHSUHVLGHQWLDOFROORTXLXP$QXPEHURIDZDUGVDQQXDOO\UHFRJQL]H
residence halls and the A. Alfred Taubman Engineering, Architecture, faculty and staff for their noteworthy contributions in teaching, research
and Life Sciences Complex; the opening of the Detroit Center for and service. In service to the community, panel discussions involving
'HVLJQ7HFKQRORJ\ DQGWKHSXUFKDVHRIRIÀFHEXLOGLQJVRQWKHQRUWK- top thought leaders on regional and national themes are hosted during
west corner of campus that have become the LTU Enterprise Center. homecoming week. Global issues are also explored in the Global Vil-
We have continued our evolution from a primarily commuter institution lage summer program which promotes international understanding and
to a residential college for undergraduates—now housing nearly 1,000 FXOPLQDWHVZLWKWKH*OREDO&LWL]HQDZDUG7KHDZDUGUHFRJQL]HVLQGL-
students on campus. viduals who have shown great character and leadership in global issues.
A creative army of our curiosity-driven students have engaged in And in the past 18 months, we have weathered the storm of COV-
faculty-sponsored basic and applied research and have published ID-19, the worst global pandemic in over a century. LTU’s management
DQGSUHVHQWHGWKHLUÀQGLQJVRQFDPSXVDQGLQRWKHUHGXFDWLRQDODQG WHDPVZRUNHGWLUHOHVVO\TXLFNO\DQGQLPEO\VKLIWHGLQVWUXFWLRQRQOLQH
research platforms. Here at Lawrence Tech, it really is all about theory in the spring of 2020, moved back on campus in the fall, and stayed
DQGSUDFWLFH6WXGHQWVEHQHÀWIURP/78·VPDQ\LQGXVWU\SDUWQHUVKLSV ÁH[LEOHDVFDVHQXPEHUVÁXFWXDWHG0XFKFUHGLWJRHVWRRXUIDFXOW\
ZLWKOHDGLQJFRUSRUDWLRQVZKLFKDUHUHÁHFWHGRQWKHSUHVWLJLRXV&RUSR- staff, and students in following protocols and keeping outbreaks here
rate Partnership Wall. limited, compared to many other campuses.
We have broadened our academic offerings into the life sciences. In The United States and the rest of the world are facing challenges to
collaboration with our community partner Ascension Michigan, we are humanity that look insurmountable, from climate change to scarcity to
building on our biomedical engineering program to offer additional pro- pollution. Higher education, among many other sectors, has risen to ad-
grams which include nursing, a physician assistant master’s program, dress challenges to prepare and support social, economic, and environ-
and healthcare administration. And you know we are doing something mental protection leaders to provide opportunities for future generations
right – 100% of the inaugural class of Bachelor of Science in Nursing to have a better and purposeful life on this planet.
students graduating this year have jobs. We have also added new vision As I prepare my transition from LTU, I have never been more opti-
and depth to our programs in game design, industrial design, transpor- mistic about the future of our students and this institution. Every year,
tation design, and interior design. And, as you will read in the pages hundreds of eager young students arrive, ready to create their future,
that follow, we have added numerous new programs in data analysis, and hundreds of graduates depart, ready to take on the world – and
DUWLÀFLDOLQWHOOLJHQFHDQGPRUH make it a better place. Every day I hear of the great things our alumni
We also created the Marburger STEM Center with the single largest are doing, so how could I be anything but optimistic?
gift in Lawrence Tech history, $20 million from one-time LTU dual- I conclude by thanking our caring and supportive Board of Trustees,
enrollment student Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO. The Center inspiring faculty, and dedicated staff, everyone at LTU and its extended
is a clearinghouse for our efforts to engage K-12 students in the excit- family, who made my stay here so rewarding and enjoyable. We have
ing world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—with been a team, and that teamwork will continue through the decades ahead.
art, design, and architecture added, broadening STEM into STEAM.
Working with LTU’s major community partner, the City of South- With gratitude and sincere good wishes,
ÀHOGDQGVWDWHDJHQFLHVWKH8QLYHUVLW\FDPSXVODXQFKHGWKH&HQWUHSR- Virinder Moudgil
OLV$FFHOHUDWRULQLWV(QWHUSULVH&HQWHUDQDWLRQDOO\XQLTXHPDQXIDFWXU-
ing business incubator within an academic institution. The Accelerator
is now using the latest in Industry 4.0 technologies to help hundreds of 3UHVLGHQWDQG&KLHI([HFXWLYH2IÀFHU
LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021 1
Transformations:
What’s new at LTU
L
awrence Technological University was
founded on the idea that people who
previously had been shut out of higher
education—either by financial barriers or the
fact that they were busy working adults—
should have the opportunity to learn the skills
and achieve the degrees that would allow them
to improve their lives, their fortunes, the
communities where they lived, and society
as a whole.
First in engineering, then in business management, then
in architecture and design, then in the arts and sciences, and
most recently into the biological sciences and healthcare, this
philosophy has been flourishing for 90 years now, resulting
in the living, growing, learning institution we see in today’s
Lawrence Tech.
Never has the pace of change in science, technology, and
society been as rapid. And Lawrence Tech, as befits an institu-
tion with a nimble and entrepreneurial mindset, has kept pace
with that change, adding new degree and certificate pro-
grams and new learning modalities to meet the needs of that
changing society.
As LTU’s new provost and chief academic officer Tarek Sobh
likes to put it, LTU is designing academic programs for job
titles that haven’t been invented yet.
Through these new programs, new laboratories, and new
buildings, through an increased push for research funding
that leads to meaningful research opportunities even for first-
year students, through new partnerships with K-12 education,
through a globally unique business incubator for advanced
manufacturing, through an increasingly rich and diverse
campus life as an increasingly residential institution, runs a
singular intention.
Transformations: What’s new at LTU. Proud of the remarkable
achievements in its past, but growing and evolving to lead,
through the 21st century and beyond.
2 LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021
NEW PROGRAMS ADDED IN DATA SCIENCE,
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, HEALTHCARE
Explosive growth in the speed and power of computers, as well as in
the need for qualified healthcare workers, prompted LTU to add
several new degree programs in recent months.
Healthcare administration
A new, fully online program, the Master of Science in Health-
care Administration, will be offered Fall 2021 by the LTU
College of Business and Information Technology.
“Lawrence Tech continues its expansion into the life sciences
with this new degree, where graduates will have ample opportu-
nities to earn high salaries while improving the healthcare sys-
tem, a career goal that is admirable and worthwhile,” President
Virinder Moudgil said.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare The program will be offered in the College of Arts and Sci-
administration employment is predicted to grow 32 percent be- ences, with clinical experience offered predominantly through
tween 2019 and 2029, much faster than other occupations. The LTU’s ongoing partnership with Ascension Michigan, the non-
median annual salary for healthcare administration graduates in SURÀWKHDOWKFDUHDQGKRVSLWDOV\VWHP
2019 was $100,980. Physician assistants are medical professionals who diag-
Healthcare administration focuses on tackling today’s nose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe
complex and exciting challenges in the expanding healthcare medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal health care
industry. Students will learn the essential knowledge required provider. PAs are educated at the master’s degree level, with
for senior managerial and planning careers in the health services entry to PA programs requiring a bachelor’s degree that includes
DQGV\VWHPVVHFWRUV2SSRUWXQLWLHVLQWKHÀHOGH[LVWORFDOO\ courses in basic and behavioral sciences. LTU’s program will be
nationally, and globally. an intensive, 24-month, year-around program.
The program consists of three nine-credit-hour modules: PA programs are modeled on a medical school curriculum that
DFFRXQWLQJÀQDQFHDQGPDUNHWLQJIRUKHDOWKFDUH KHDOWKFDUH combines classroom and experiential training, requiring more
DGPLQLVWUDWLRQIXQGDPHQWDOV DQGLQIRUPDWLRQWHFKQRORJ\LQ than 1,500 hours of clinical rotations in medical and surgical
healthcare and the global healthcare system. Because the mod- disciplines.
ules focus on different aspects of the industry, graduates can Due to the retirement of many doctors and limitations in the
pursue a successful career in a variety of organizations, such as capacity of medical schools, there is rising demand for physician
hospitals, nursing homes, and physician group practices, as well assistants. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the
as with insurance providers and other health-related companies. employment of PAs to grow 31 percent between 2018 and 2028,
Dedicated scholarships are available to employees of a rate much faster than the average for most occupations. And
Ascension Michigan, LTU’s partner in its Bachelor of Science U.S. News and World Report ranks physician assistant No. 3 on
in Nursing and Master of Science in physician assistant studies LWVOLVWRI%HVW-REVIRUDQGLWKDVEHHQLQWKHWRSÀYH
SURJUDPV³EXWÀQDQFLDODLGLVDYDLODEOHWRDOODSSOLFDQWV for decades. The median salary for PAs is currently $110,000 a
year.
Physician assistant studies LTU has hired a director for the program, Aimee Lamb,
PA-C, as well as three other faculty members. Lamb’s career
L TU will launch a two-year master’s degree program in
physician assistant studies in the Fall 2022 semester, pend-
ing achieving Accreditation-Provisional status from the Ac-
path includes helping to develop a physician assistant program
in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service. She also
worked as a physician assistant for Sinai Grace Hospital, the
creditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Detroit Medical Center, and several private physician practices,
Assistant. LTU anticipates achieving Accreditation-Provisional working primarily in underserved urban and rural areas. She
status at the March 2022 ARC-PA meeting.
Continued
LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021 3
Transformations: What’s new at LTU
earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Eastern Michigan WUDFLQJHDUO\GLDJQRVLVDQGWUHDWPHQWRI&29,'
University and a Master of Medical Science physician assistant The new program is a joint effort between of the Department
degree from Emory University. Most recently, she taught at the of Electrical and Computer Engineering in LTU’s College of
University of Detroit Mercy. Engineering, and the Department of Mathematics and Computer
Lamb said she joined the program because LTU “has such an Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. This interdisciplin-
amazing reputation for innovation and educational excellence,” ary program will continue LTU’s success within the Fourth
as well as the university’s relationship with Ascension Michigan. ,QGXVWULDO5HYROXWLRQ
Lamb said adding the PA program is “part of an ongoing effort ´7KH06$,SURJUDPZLOOMRLQWKHIXQGDPHQWDOFRPSXWHU
by LTU to address the healthcare needs of Southeast Michigan.” VFLHQFHFRQFHSWRIDUWLÀFLDOLQWHOOLJHQFHZLWKDSSOLFDWLRQVWKDW
Srini Kambhambpati, dean of the LTU College of Arts and mimic human intelligence such as describing and recognizing
Sciences, added that the university is considering adding other qualities, as well as understanding of meanings in different con-
healthcare education programs in the future. texts in robotics, connected vehicles, data science and cyberse-
David Svinarich, vice president of research and academic af- curity,” said Tarek Sobh, LTU provost.
fairs at Ascension Michigan, noted that the new PA program is a The program will also leverage new and reengineered labo-
natural progression from the successful LTU-Ascension nursing ratories in LTU’s Taubman Engineering, Life Sciences, and
program partnership. $UFKLWHFWXUHFRPSOH[7KH,QGXVWU\&RQQHFWHG(QWHUSULVH
Svinarich said that while Ascension “has )DFLOLW\ZLOOLQFOXGHWKHXVHRIWKH5RERWLFV
physician assistant students at a number of our ••• Engineering Automation Lab, and the Electri-
KRVSLWDOVJHWWLQJWUDLQLQJWKLVLVWKHÀUVWWLPHLQ
Ascension Michigan that we have collaborated
“The new PA program cal and Computer Engineering for Embedded
6\VWHPVDQG$UWLÀFLDO,QWHOOLJHQFH/DE
in developing a program.” is a natural progression Job search sites such as Glassdoor and
Svinarich said Lamb “brings a wealth of ,QGHHGFRPSHJDYHUDJHVDODULHVIRU$,HQJL-
experience, and has looked at programs around from the successful QHHUVIURPD\HDUWRDVKLJKDV
the country,” and is crafting the program to D\HDU
UHÁHFWEHVWSUDFWLFHVRI3$SURJUDPVDURXQG LTU-Ascension nursing Entry to the program begins this
the world. He added that while the program fall. A bachelor’s degree in computer
will be run largely out of Ascension Providence program partnership” science, computer engineering, or a
Hospital, LTU PA students would be able to get UHODWHGÀHOGLVUHTXLUHGIRUHQWU\
clinical experiences throughout the Michigan ••• According to the human re-
Ascension network. VRXUFHVÀUP7DOHQWVHHUGHPDQGIRU$,WDOHQW
Svinarich said the health system saw several reasons to KDVJURZQE\SHUFHQWDQQXDOO\RYHU
establish the program. First, Ascension has a history in health the past four years, with annual salaries
education—with many residency and fellowship programs, and DSSURDFKLQJ
Providence Hospital once ran its own nursing school. Second, For more information, visit
there’s increased emphasis on mid-level providers in health care www.ltu.edu/msai.
due to cost concerns. Third, there’s a looming shortage of doc-
tors and other healthcare providers. Data science
For more information, visit www.ltu.edu/arts_sciences/
naturalsciences/pa-master.asp. The page will be updated as the
program continues its development. A n unprecedented surge in the
speed and power of comput-
ers is enhancing the analysis of
Artificial intelligence complex data sets to develop
QHZYDFFLQHVWRDQDO\]HÀQDQFLDO
E [SORVLYHJURZWKLQWKHXVHRIDUWLÀFLDOLQWHOOLJHQFHWHFKQROR- ULVNWRFUHDWHHIÀFLHQWVXSSO\FKDLQVRU
gies in a wide variety of industries, such as automotive,
KHDOWKFDUHUHWDLOÀQDQFHVFLHQFHDQGPDQXIDFWXULQJKDVOHG
teach cars to drive themselves.
A new degree at Lawrence Technological University
Lawrence Technological University to create a new degree, the will train students to analyze data to do all of those things—
0DVWHURI6FLHQFHLQ$UWLÀFLDO,QWHOOLJHQFH 06$, $,DQGELJ and more.
data are now being successfully used in the battle against the LTU’s new Bachelor of Science in Data Science degree com-
pandemic by providing solutions to tracking, predicting, contact bines mathematics, physics, statistics, computer science, and
4 LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021
data analysis. It will be managed by the Department of Math- The degree focuses on theory and practice in big data, data
ematics and Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sci- mining, machine learning, bioinformatics, mathematical model-
ences, but is highly interdisciplinary in nature—and may include LQJDQGDUWLÀFLDOLQWHOOLJHQFHZLWKVWXGHQWVOHDUQLQJWRVWXG\
course work and research with faculty in other areas on campus, complex data sets and understand the patterns that each set can
such as the College of Engineering, the College of Business and reveal.
Information Technology, and LTU’s Marburger STEM Center. Students will also have access to paid internships, which
´'DWDVFLHQFHLVDÀHOGZLWKDEULJKWIXWXUHDQGHPSOR\HUV frequently lead to full-time employment, and will work on team
are clamoring for people with these skills,” LTU Provost Tarek projects that hone team-building and leadership skills.
Sobh said. “This new program shows how Lawrence Tech As with all LTU programs, there are convenient schedules
moves quickly to the needs of the marketplace with high-quality WKDWLQFOXGHGD\HYHQLQJDQGRQOLQHFODVVHVÀQDQFLDODLGLV
academic programs that prepare our students for job titles that available, and students will have access to LTU’s well-connect-
haven’t been invented yet.” ed career placement services. For more information, visit www.
Data science graduates are in high demand. The Business ltu.edu/data-science.
Higher Education Forum reports that 69 percent of employers
expect candidates with data science skills to get preference for Business data analytics
jobs in their organizations. In 2017, LinkedIn rated data sci-
ence as the second fastest growing job, at a rate of 6.5
percent annual growth, and U.S. News
and World Report recently re-
T he exponential growth of data being gathered by organiza-
tions of all types has created new opportunities for data
analysts.
ported that the median Lawrence Technological University has responded with two
salary for data new degree programs—Bachelor of Science and Master of Sci-
scientists was ence degrees in business data analytics, both available through
$94,280. the LTU College of Business and Information Technology.
Classes are offered in-person, online, or in a hybrid format.
Data analytics is used to process raw data through data
mining, data cleansing, data transformation, data modeling,
DQGPRUH'DWDDQDO\VWVÀQGWUHQGVDQGVROYHSUREOHPVLQ
VHYHUDOLQGXVWULHVLQFOXGLQJÀQDQFHKHDOWKFDUHHQJL-
neering, and technology. The College of Business and
IT will equip students with software engineering and
machine learning skills to design and implement
HIÀFLHQWGDWDGULYHQVROXWLRQVWR
real-world problems.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics, the market for management analysts
is expected to grow 11 percent through 2029,
much faster than the average of all occupations,
with median salaries of $87,660. The picture is
even brighter for operations research analysts,
with job growth of 25 percent through 2029,
and a similar median salary of $86,200. Data
analysts of all types are seeing sharp job growth,
according to government economists.
“The curricula for both degree programs have
EHHQGHVLJQHGZLWKYHU\VLJQLÀFDQWIHHGEDFNIURP
data analytics professionals and the College of Business
and Information Technology Industry Advisory Board,”
LTU Provost Tarek Sobh said. “Graduates of the programs
will be able analyze numeric data and use it to help companies
Continued
LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021 5
Transformations: What’s new at LTU
make better business decisions. They will also
be involved in preparing data, in addition to
coding, developing, constructing, testing and
maintaining complete architectures for data
visualization and interpretation.”
In LTU’s Bachelor of Science program,
students gain the knowledge and skills for
data-intensive problem-solving. They learn
from expert faculty the skills needed to effec-
WLYHO\GHÀQHGLVFXVVDQGVROYHFRPSOLFDWHG
problems related to the management, analysis,
and dissemination of vast amounts of informa-
tion. They also have access to LTU’s well-
connected career placement services.
First-year students begin with founda-
tional courses in management, mathematics,
composition, and marketing, with an intro-
ductory course in data analytics. Sophomore
students take courses in statistics, accounting,
and computer programming, and foundational
courses in natural sciences and history. Junior
\HDUVWXGHQWVVWXG\EXVLQHVVODZPDFKLQHOHDUQLQJÀQDQFLDO we understood the changes going on in the industry and how to
management, computer networking, cybersecurity, and data align our students to those needs,” Plowright said.
mining. Senior year is dominated by business analytics, The focus of the interior design profession has expanded
operations management, project management, and database in recent years to move into diverse niches within the built
systems. environment, and to encompass different aspects of how people
The Master of Science program provides students with the use and occupy interior spaces, from furniture to materials and
skills they need to solve complex big data problems. Students spatial design.
partner with faculty who teach the critical thinking skills “As a fundamental aspect of sustainability, interior design as
UHTXLUHGWRHIIHFWLYHO\GHÀQHGLVFXVVDQGVROYHFRPSOLFDWHG a practice engages the existing building stock that we have as
problems related to managing, analyzing, and disseminating vast a primary focus,” Plowright said. “We have billions of square
amounts of information. footage in this country that we are looking to keep current with
Required courses include statistics for data analytics, manage- how we live and work and occupy space, now and in the future.”
ment information systems, database modeling, machine learn- The new program is directed by Jenna Walker, who joined the
ing, data science, digital marketing, and more. An undergraduate university in 2019 after a 15-year career in the interior design
degree in business, mathematics or computing is not required, industry. She earned a Bachelor of Science in interior design
and the curriculum allows students with varying undergraduate from Western Michigan University and a Master of Science in
backgrounds to join the graduate program. historic preservation planning with an emphasis on community
revitalization from Eastern Michigan University. In addition to
Changes for LTU’s interior her role at LTU, Walker continues to practice through both her
design program GHVLJQFRQVXOWDQF\3/$&(DQGDUHVLGHQWLDOGHVLJQÀUP
Lake + Pine Design. Prior to joining LTU, she developed ex-
L awrence Technological University has revised its interior
design program, and this fall will begin offering a Bachelor
of Science in Interior Design degree.
tensive experience in a diverse range of project types and sizes,
with positions including workplace strategy and design manager
for furniture brand Knoll Inc., and as a designer with Detroit-
The new degree is a reorganization of an interior architec- based Olympia Development.
ture program LTU has offered for nearly 40 years, according to Walker said interior design is often perceived as mere deco-
Philip Plowright, chair and professor of the university’s Depart- rating. However, the practice of interior design goes far beyond
ment of Art and Design. WKLVDSSO\LQJVFLHQWLÀFVWXG\RIZKDWPDNHVLQWHULRUVSDFHV
“We needed to create a new vision for the program because SOHDVDQWHIÀFLHQWDQGKHDOWK\IRUSHRSOHXVLQJHUJRQRPLFV
6 LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021
advanced technology, and data analysis. Funding for labora-
tory equipment,
“We also study how buildings impact hu- research centers,
man health,” she said. “People spend so research projects,
much time inside, and many of the building and training
programs at
materials we currently use are not good for Lawrence Tech is
people’s health.” on the rise.
First-year students in the new curriculum
start with introductory design courses, along with foundational
courses in writing, mathematics, and physics. Sophomore
courses include design history, ergonomics, graphic design, and
fabrication. Junior year courses include sustainability, furniture,
human comfort, and a multidisciplinary studio. The senior year
LVFDSSHGE\DGHVLJQSURMHFW6WXGHQWVEHQHÀWIURPGHGLFDWHG
studio space and access to material, lighting, digital, wood and
metal fabrication labs. Internship opportunities are widely
available.
Graduates of the program may wind up in traditional de- 2YHUWKHODVWIHZPRQWKV/78KDVVHFXUHGLQGXVWU\IXQGLQJ
VLJQUROHVDWDUFKLWHFWXUDORULQWHULRUGHVLJQÀUPV2WKHUVPD\ for a variety of academic and research projects, such as:
specialize in materials or lighting design, while others may work • The Epic Center for Unreal Technology at Lawrence Tech-
for furniture manufacturers and dealerships. In addition, there nological University, Game Design (Epic MegaGrant, $50,000)
are paths toward non-building interiors, including exhibition and • Lithium Ion Battery Cell Fabrication and Testing, Mechani-
theatrical set design, or transportation interiors, such as cruise cal Engineering (Intecells, $30,000)
ships or RVs. The new LTU program is accredited by both the • Pediatric Simulator, Nursing (DeRoy Testamentary Founda-
Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the Na- tion, $25,000)
tional Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). • 0.7” Large Size Carbon Fiber Strand Research and Testing,
3ORZULJKWVDLG/78KDVVHHQ´DVLJQLÀFDQWLQFUHDVHLQLQWHU- Civil & Architectural Engineering, (Michigan Department of
est, applications, and students enrolled” in the new program. Transportation/Federal Highway Administration, $165,000)
&29,' %HVW3UDFWLFHV7UDLQLQJIRU&RQVWUXFWLRQ)LUPV
Trending: growth in research, &LYLODQG$UFKLWHFWXUDO(QJLQHHULQJ 0LFKLJDQ2FFXSDWLRQDO
grants, and student projects +HDOWK 6DIHW\$GPLQLVWUDWLRQ
Continued
R esearch and external funding are on the rise at Lawrence
Technological University. Faculty working with industry,
government agencies, and foundations have gained support for
new research centers, research projects, laboratory equipment,
and training programs.
LTU is using these grants and awards to advance science,
evolve new technologies, and take product development to the
next level of design, prototyping, and commercialization.
“External funding in the form of sponsored research, institu-
tional grants and industry support enhances the quality of Law-
rence Tech’s academic programs, improves our facilities, attracts
and retains top faculty, and prepares students for their careers
with real-world experiences,” said Tarek Sobh, LTU’s provost.
“We are fortunate to have great relationships
The Epic Center for
with industry, foundations, and government Unreal Technology
agencies who help us meet dynamic market- at LTU, Game
place needs for talent, technology, and Design, is one of
many programs
economic development.” to be awarded a
research grant.
LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021 7
Transformations: What’s new at LTU
The nursing pro- current workforce needs,” he said.
gram will benefit
from a pediatric Additionally, Lawrence Tech Faculty are
simulator grant. working on several National Science Foun-
GDWLRQ 16) JUDQWVWRDGYDQFHVFLHQWLÀF
knowledge. Four of the most recent NSF grants awarded to LTU
include:
• Major Research Instrumentation: Acquisition of Eye
Tracking Equipment to Support Behavioral Research at LTU, a
project that is collecting and analyzing comprehensive sets of
eye-movement data for behavior sciences. This research impacts
such things as improving control interface design for the Internet
of Things (IoT), and autonomous and connected vehicles by
SURYLGLQJDVVHVVPHQWDQGXQGHUVWDQGLQJRIIDFWRUVLQÁXHQFLQJ
the level of trust that drivers have with this new technology,
Psychology, (Franco Delogu, $72,142)
• Discovering New Sources of Charge-Parity Violation in
)ODYRU3KHQRPHQRORJ\UHVHDUFKRQÀQGLQJPLVVLQJDQWLPDWWHU
Physics (Bhubanjyoti Bhattacharya, $135,000)
• Relativistic Heavy-Ion Theory, a study that models the be-
havior of superheated “soups” of subatomic particles that were
formed in the earliest moments after the Big Bang, Physics,
(George Moschelli, $179,997)
• Collaborative Research: The Rules of Predation: Link-
ing Biomechanics and Ecology in the Bat-Insect Arms Race is
researching how bats hunt insects and will identify the mecha-
nistic basis of locomotion with experiments and simulations
WKDWH[DPLQHKRZPRYHPHQWDELOLWLHVLQÁXHQFHSUHGDWRUSUH\
interactions, Robotics Engineering, (Hamid Vejdani, $114,634)
According to Sobh, “the opportunity for continuing growth in
externally sponsored research and other industry and institution-
al grants is very promising given the talented faculty at LTU.”
• Development of a Laboratory Long-Term Comfort Test, For additional information on research, sponsored student
Industry Sponsored Student Project, Biomedical Engineering, projects, partnership opportunities, and to connect with expert
(Lear Corp., $10,000) faculty, contact Mark Brucki, executive director of industry
• Fuel Valve Test System, Industry Sponsored Student Project, research and business outreach, mbrucki@ltu.edu.
Mechanical Engineering (Eaton Corp., $9,000)
2IÀFH3URGXFWRIWKH)XWXUH,QGXVWU\6SRQVRUHG6WXGHQW LTU expanding dual
Project, Industrial Design (Altair, $5,000) enrollment programs
• Indoor Positioning System, Industry Sponsored Student
Project, Electrical Engineering (Stefanini, $4,500)
LTU students are also very successful in reaching out and fos-
tering working relationships and the support of industry for its
L awrence Tech is making inroads in K-12 school districts
across metro Detroit—and across the country.
LTU currently has dual-enrollment agreements with 45 school
Blue Devil Motorsports, Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition districts in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, encompass-
(IGVC), Robofest, and competitions staged by various engi- ing individual school districts as well as Intermediate School
neering societies and groups involving the building of concrete Districts, the service organizations for Michigan schools usually
canoes, concrete toboggans, and steel bridges. organized along county lines.
Sobh is also optimistic about LTU meeting the ongoing needs But the agreements aren’t limited to Michigan. Included is
of industry. “As a nimble and creative technological university a new agreement with Cesar Chavez Public Charter School in
of the future, we are enhancing our professional development Washington, D.C., which heard about LTU through an email
activities to continue to provide training, professional develop- campaign to offer dual-enrollment services, in which high
PHQWDQGFHUWLÀFDWHVWRHQKDQFHOLIHORQJOHDUQLQJDQGDGGUHVV
8 LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021school students can earn college credits by taking advanced
courses taught under the supervision of University faculty.
Lisa Kujawa, LTU associate provost for enrollment manage-
ment and outreach, said LTU will provide training to Cesar
Chavez teachers to offer college-level calculus and computer
science courses to high school students beginning this fall. The
training will be supervised by Patrick Nelson, chair of the LTU
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.
“This is just the latest effort on the part of Lawrence Tech to
reach students from historically underrepresented populations,
to offer them a chance at a STEM education that will open so
many doors for them in the future,” Kujawa said.
LTU also has a new agreement with Oakland Schools, the In recent months, the accelerator has Blue Devil
Motorsports
intermediate school district covering 28 public school districts forged new partnerships and attracted students foster
LQ2DNODQG&RXQW\IURP$YRQGDOHWR:HVW%ORRPÀHOG8QGHU substantial grant funding from government winning relation-
ships with industry
the agreement, any student enrolled in the engineering, robotics, economic development agencies. partners.
or mechatronics programs at any Oakland Schools Technical In July, the Michigan Department of
Center will be guaranteed admission into Lawrence Tech in the Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy awarded Centrepolis a
corresponding degree program, provided they meet minimum $1.55 million seed fund for its C3 Accelerator. C3 is so named
academic requirements. because it supports the development and growth of cleantech,
The Oakland Schools students will also be invited to partici- climatech, and circular economy technologies in Michigan.
pate in career-focused events at LTU. That grant came on the heels of a March announcement that
/78RIÀFLDOVDUHDOVRFRQWLQXLQJWKHLUHIIRUWVWRH[SDQGWKH launched C3, with a $275,000 initial funding round from EGLE,
University’s relationship with the Detroit Public Schools Com- the New Economy Initiative, and the Wells Fargo Innovation
munity District, Kujawa said. Included are new initiatives to Incubator.
train teachers to offer college-level courses to 11th and 12th Cleantech, climatech, and circular economy technologies
graders, and early middle college programs, where high school KDYHDSRVLWLYHLPSDFWRQHQHUJ\HIÀFLHQF\JHQHUDWHUHQHZDEOH
students can earn an associate’s degree by taking advanced energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, replace non-renewable
FRXUVHVLQKLJKVFKRRODQGWKHQDWWHQGLQJDQH[WUD\HDURIKLJK materials, preserve clean water, and promote recycling, upcy-
VFKRROHVVHQWLDOO\DWKJUDGH$GXOWHGXFDWLRQFHUWLÀFDWH cling, and the circular economy.
programs are also on the table in continuing talks with DPSCD, &IRFXVHVRQÀQGLQJSURYHQWHFKQRORJLHVJOREDOO\DQG
Kujawa said. then connecting them to Michigan partners that can scale those
Kujawa also said LTU is looking for alumni to get involved Continued
in its dual-enrollment efforts by teaching Inside LTU’s Centre-
classes at the high school level. polis Accelerator,
“Any alumni out there who want to a manufacturing
business incubator.
support young students, to provide them
courses, if they meet our criteria to teach, we can work with
them,” Kujawa said. “And if those alumni are interested in earn-
ing a graduate degree, we can provide scholarships to those who
are teaching our dual-enrollment courses.”
Centrepolis Accelerator gaining
funding, programs, clients
M ost business incubators concentrate on startups develop-
ing software or services. The Centrepolis Accelerator at
Lawrence Technological University, formally opened in October
2019, is different—it concentrates on businesses making actual,
tangible, physical products.
In other words, manufacturing. Actually making things.
LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021 9Transformations: What’s new at LTU
businesses in Michigan. The program offers equity-free, zero- “The Midwest Regional Innovation Partnership program
interest $50,000 investments to support commercialization enables a unique and more direct collaboration between accel-
efforts. Accelerator services include product design, engineer- erators, national labs, investors and other key stakeholders to
ing, prototyping, testing, and validation, along with pilot and advance cleantech hardware technology,” said Dan Radomski,
demonstration project cost sharing, assistance from experts- executive director of the Centrepolis Accelerator.
in-residence, design for manufacturability assessments, supply Centrepolis also was awarded $197,985 in grant funding
chain development support and go-to-market support services. to provide regional Industry 4.0 programming and services to
The Accelerator will also help in applying for increase manufacturers’ readiness to adopt
federal grants and connections to universities, •••
Industry 4.0 technologies. The funding is part
national laboratories, customers, strategic part- of a Michigan Economic Development Corp.-
ners, and investors. “The project provides led initiative to ensure 50 percent of Michigan
The announcement was the largest and most manufacturers are prepared to adopt Industry
recent news from the Accelerator. In June, the additional resources 4.0 technologies by 2025. The project provides
Accelerator became one of four organizations DGGLWLRQDOUHVRXUFHVIRUWKHQDWLRQ·VÀUVW,QGXV-
selected to receive more than $900,000 from for the nations first try 4.0 Accelerator, a program currently led by
the Energy Program for Innovation Clusters Automation Alley and operated in partnership
(EPIC), sponsored by the U.S. Department of
4.0 Accelerator” with Centrepolis and the Jackson-based manu-
(QHUJ\·V2IÀFHRI7HFKQRORJ\7UDQVLWLRQV
Centrepolis is part of the Midwest Regional
•••
facturing incubator Lean Rocket Lab.
Centrepolis is also sharing a $569,300
Innovation Partnership that will support new and existing pro- federal Economic Development Administration grant with Lean
grams for venture acceleration of clean energy startups in the 5RFNHW/DEWRERRVWVWDUWXSVZLWKWHFKQRORJLHVWKDWFDQÀJKW
Midwest. pandemics, according to an announcement made in April.
Other partners in the group are the Chicago-based green en- The Centrepolis Accelerator, housed in the Enterprise Center
ergy investors Clean Energy Trust, the Spark Innovation Center on LTU’s campus, is currently assisting hundreds of companies
in Knoxville, Tenn., the Chicago business accelerator mHUB, and entrepreneurs with advanced ideas for manufacturing and
and three federal energy laboratories. Industry 4.0. MR
.
What is Industry 4.0? reveal patterns, trends, and associations.
Cloud Computing: Shared pools of configurable computer system resources
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0, is defined as the convergence and higher-level services that can be rapidly provisioned with minimal manage-
of digital and physical technologies disrupting the manufacturing industry ment effort, often over the Internet. Cloud computing relies on sharing of
and being realized today in smart factories across the globe. Automation Alley, resources to achieve coherence and economies of scale, similar to a public utility.
in partnership with Centrepolis Accelerator, used a combination of primary Cybersecurity: The protection of computer systems from theft or damage
and secondary research to identify Michigan companies offering products and to their hardware, software or electronic data, as well as from disruption or
services in the following Industry 4.0 categories: misdirection of the services they provide.
Additive manufacturing (“3D Printing”) and advanced materials: Modeling, Simulation, Visualization and Immersion (“MSV&I”): A
Additive manufacturing is the construction of complex three-dimensional set of technologies used in the design, analysis, verification and validation on
parts from 3D digital model data by depositing successive layers of material. a product to improve quality, processes, training techniques and situational
Advanced materials focus on new materials and modifications to existing preparedness.
materials to obtain superior performance in one or more characteristics that are Robotics: Mechanical or electrical engineering coupled with computer
critical for the application under consideration. They can also exhibit completely science used to design, construct, operate and apply robots, including the com-
novel properties. puter systems for their control, sensory feedback and information processing.
Artificial Intelligence (“AI”): The simulation of human intelligence process- The Industrial Internet of Things (“IIoT”): The use of internet of things
es by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning technologies to enhance manufacturing and industrial processes, incorporat-
(the acquisition of information and rules for using the information), reasoning ing machine learning and big data technologies to harness the sensor data,
(using rules to reach approximate or definite conclusions) and self-correction. machine-to-machine communication and automation technologies that have
Big Data: Extremely large data sets that may be analyzed computationally to existed in industrial settings for years DR, ED, BT
10 LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021MOUDGIL ERA TO END AT LTU
m
LTU President Virinder Moudgil,
Virinder K, Moudgil has announced his plans to left, speaks at an event announcing
new recruits for the Blue Devil foot-
retire as president and CEO of Lawrence Technological ball team.
University effective at the end of 2021 or when a
successor is named.
0RXGJLOKDVVHUYHGDV/78·VVHYHQWKSUHV- stadium. The A. Alfred Taubman Engineer-
GHQWVLQFH-XO\RYHUVHHLQJDSHULRGRI ing, Architecture, and Life Sciences Complex
VLJQLÀFDQWJURZWKDQGLPSURYHPHQWLQFDPSXV opened on campus in September 2016. LTU’s
facilities, programs, fundraising, and communi- Detroit Center for Design and Technology was
ty outreach. He operated under the mantra that created in midtown Detroit.
“it’s all about the students,” and has led faculty 0RXGJLODOVROHGWKHSXUFKDVHRIÀYH
DQGKLVPDQDJHPHQWWHDPWRDGYDQFHSURJUDPV acres adjacent to the campus that included a
DQGVHUYLFHVDOZD\VIRFXVHGRQWKDWJRDO VTXDUHIRRWWZREXLOGLQJRIÀFHFRP-
Expansion of Lawrence Tech facilities dur- plex, now called LTU’s Enterprise Center. It
ing Moudgil’s tenure included a growing em- houses Lawrence Tech’s Centrepolis Accelera-
phasis on residentialLionel
andMessi in 2016.
campus lifePhoto from
through WRUGHYHORSHGLQLQSDUWQHUVKLSZLWKWKH
Save the Dream at the Match of
construction of a third and fourth student
Champions, via Wikimedia
residence hall and Commons.
a new multisport outdoor Continued
LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021 11MOUDGIL Continued
President Moudgil acted as the
public face of LTU in many media
interviews during his presidency.
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) )) FLW\RI6RXWKÀHOG7KH$FFHOHUDWRUSURYLGHV 6FDOHFRP7KH%URRNLQJV,QVWLWXWLRQSODFHV
RSSRUWXQLWLHVIRUVWXGHQWVULJKWRQFDPSXVWR /78DPRQJWKHQDWLRQ·VWRSÀYHYDOXHDGGHG
Over a dozen new academic LQWHUQDQGSDUWQHUZLWKPDQXIDFWXULQJVWDUWXSV XQLYHUVLWLHV
programs launched during HQWUHSUHQHXUVDQGRWKHUVHYHQDVLWKHOSVWKRVH 7KHODUJHVWJLIWVLQ/78·VKLVWRU\PLO
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including a Bachelor of 2YHUDGR]HQQHZDFDGHPLFSURJUDPV IURPIRUPHUVWXGHQWDQGUHDOHVWDWHGHYHORSHU
Science in nursing ODXQFKHGGXULQJ0RXGJLO·VSUHVLGHQF\LQFOXG $$OIUHG7DXEPDQZHUHUHFHLYHGHDUO\LQ
) )) LQJD%DFKHORURI6FLHQFHLQQXUVLQJWKDW 0RXGJLO·VWHQXUHDQGZHUHXVHGWREXLOGWKH
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President Moudgil waves to onlook-
ers at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day 1HZSURJUDPVEHLQJGHYHORSHGLQFOXGHPDV 0DUEXUJHU67(0&HQWHUIRULPSURYLQJWKH
parade down Civic Center Drive in WHU·VGHJUHHVLQSK\VLFLDQDVVLVWDQFHKHDOWKFDUH WHDFKLQJRIVFLHQFHWHFKQRORJ\HQJLQHHULQJ
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12 LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021Ebert has appointed a national presidential Former Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve
Ballmer, a dual-enrollment student
search committee representing trustees, faculty, at Lawrence Tech in the 1970s
staff, students, and alumni of the 3,000-student while he attended Detroit Country
private university. Day School, received an honor-
ary doctorate in computer science
Prior to Lawrence Tech, from 2001-12 from LTU in 2013. With Ballmer
Moudgil served as senior vice president for are, from left, former LTU Provost
Maria Vaz, President Moudgil, and
academic affairs and provost at Oakland Uni- LTU President Emeritus Richard
versity, where he co-chaired the steering com- Marburger.
mittee that developed the Oakland University
William Beaumont School of Medicine. Trust (MET and MESP 529);
His education includes the Harvard Institute Detroit Regional Chamber of
for Educational Management, 2006; post- Commerce; Detroit Economic Club; Detroit President Moudgil presents former
U.S. Sen. Carl Levin with LTU’s initial
doctoral work in molecular medicine at the Zoological Society; and Association of Inde- Global Citizen Award in 2014.
Mayo Clinic, 1973-76; and a PhD in Zoology pendent Colleges and Universities of Michigan.
(Biochemistry) from Banaras Hindu University He was the 2017 chair of the Association of
in India, 1972. He was a visiting scientist at Independent Technological Universities Inc.
universities in Yugoslavia and France, and a (AITU), comprising most of America’s leading
consultant with the United Nations. private technological universities. MR/BJA
Moudgil’s current or recent
ERDUGDIÀOLDWLRQVLQFOXGH
Henry Ford Hospital and
Health Network; vice presi-
dent, Michigan Education
) ))
Dr. Moudgil was a visiting
scientist at universities
in Yugoslavia and France,
and a consultant with
the United Nations
) ))
President Moudgil confers with an
LTU student on a pre-pandemic
Research Day on campus
LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021 13Donor scholarships transform
lives of four students
internship as an assistant project manager with Building a Better
Detroit, where she was exposed to commercial and residential
construction management projects—which are right up her alley.
Daniels is most grateful for the donors who are making the
difference by helping her pay for her education through scholar-
ships. “There is always someone in need,” she said. “If it is in
your heart to donate, please do. You’ll help someone get that
much closer to earning a Lawrence Tech degree and becoming
part of the alumni community.”
Giving back is something she aims to do after she establishes
herself in either a construction or project management career. “I
GHÀQLWHO\SODQWREHDGRQRUDVVRRQDV,DPDEOHWR7KHGRQRUV
Curleshea Daniels and scholarships have truly been a blessing for me.”
What it means to make a difference
An investment in his future
hen Curleshea Daniels transferred to Lawrence Tech as a
W sophomore, she found a home in the Bachelor of Science
in Construction Engineering Technology and Manage-
ment program. With LTU’s small class sizes and theory and M
atthew Trescott’s scholarship has also been a game-
changer. In fact, he was awarded the Buell Scholarship,
an endowed scholarship that covers full tuition. “It’s been
practice approach to education, the University also suited her a tremendous help, and it feels like the donors who established
learning style. this scholarship have made an investment in me to go to school,
“I like onsite learning,” Daniels says. “In my surveying class, which is very motivating to know,” said the electrical engineer-
we were outside every day, getting hands-on experience. Not a ing major.
lot of schools offer the practical experience that Lawrence Tech He’s making that investment pay off by excelling, especially
GRHVDQG,ÀQGWKDWDSSURDFKH[FLWLQJµ in Lawrence Tech’s theory and practice labs. “I like how they
%XWVKHDOVRVWUXJJOHGÀQDQFLDOO\7KRXJKVKHFRQVLGHUHG require thinking beyond calculating,” he said. “It’s not like
WUDQVIHUULQJWRDQRWKHUVFKRROWROLJKWHQWKHÀQDQFLDOORDGVKH analyzing a problem where you solve it a certain way and get
ZDVGHWHUPLQHGWRVWLFNLWRXW´,WZDVGHÀQLWHO\GLIÀFXOWEXW DVSHFLÀFDQVZHUZKHQ\RXDUHGRQH,QVWHDGLW·VWDNLQJWKH
I had faith things would work out and applied for a number of reverse approach, so that when you work on a design problem,
scholarships.” you really understand all the theory that goes into it.”
Bolstered by recommendations from professors, over a half His passion for electronics started with an electrical kit his
dozen scholarship opportunities were made possible through parents bought him when he was 12. When it came time to
donors. One of those scholarships was the W. Bernard White FKRRVHDPDMRUKHÀJXUHGKH·GGREHVWLQHOHFWULFDOHQJLQHHULQJ
Education Foundation Scholarship, established by W. Bernard since he’d been tinkering with electronics for a long time. Still,
White, BSCE’80, to provide access to a quality education that that didn’t stop him from joining the Formula SAE automotive
can positively impact a person’s professional development and project team even though it mostly attracts mechanical engineer-
quality of life. “If it wasn’t for the donors and the scholarships, ing majors. “As an electrical engineering major, I had a little bit
I wouldn’t be able to afford my tuition,” she said. of experience that others didn’t have, so I was able to help with
Good thing those opportunities came through—not only is electronics right off the bat.”
Daniels a committed student with a nearly 4.0 GPA, she showed ,QIDFWKLVJXPSWLRQJDYHKLPWKHFRQÀGHQFHWRGHVLJQWKH
initiative by helping to establish the Black Student Union her circuitry for a controller—an experience that made him feel like
sophomore year, serving as its president, and this past year as a critical part of the team, which requires fundraising to keep
vice-president. going. Being part of Formula SAE gives him another opportu-
6KHZDVDOVRVHOHFWHGWRSUHVHQW/78·VÀUVW-RKQ*RUGRQ nity to see how vital donors are to scholarships and other activi-
Petty award in 2019, which is typically given to an alumnus ties. His scholarship was endowed by Dr. and Mrs. Wayne H.
positively impacting lives in the Black community. Daniels also Buell. Dr. Buell, BChE’36, served as LTU’s third president.
strives to make a positive impact by performing community ser- “The donors make it possible not only for students to attend
vice in Detroit alongside her Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters. Lawrence Tech,” said Trescott. “They also make it possible to
In fact, it was through a sorority contact that she landed an run programs that wouldn’t be feasible without their support.”
14 LAWRENCE TECH MAGAZINE|SUMMER/FALL 2021You can also read
