Rose-Hulman Insititute of Technology Raises Over $250 Million to Empower STEM Education

By Justin Johnson.
Updated Jul 29, 2021

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (PRWEB) July 29, 2021 - Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has successfully achieved a $250 million comprehensive fundraising campaign that has helped increase student scholarships, brought new learning spaces to campus, and solidified its position as a national leader in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

The Mission Driven Campaign for Rose-Hulman has brought substantial support in the following areas:

The campaign raised $50 million over the past year alone and more than $100 million since 2018.

The Mission Driven Campaign for Rose-Hulman has transformed our campus and prepared us to better meet the challenges of being a top STEM college focused on undergraduate education, said Rose-Hulman President Robert A. Coons. Were grateful for the commitment by so many in support of providing our students with the worlds best undergraduate STEM education in an environment of individual attention and support.

Coons noted that to remain at the forefront of STEM higher education, Rose-Hulman needed to recruit and retain leading-edge faculty and staff, attract academically strong students throughout the world from a wide range of socioeconomic and ethnic groups, modernize facilities and equipment, and stay ahead of technological change. Other key strategic goals were continuing to increase retention and expansion of hands-on experiences for students that are giving them an edge in the job market and graduate school applications.

Significantly increased student scholarships throughout the campaign helped drive enrollment among students, including those from diverse socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Recent examples include:

Additional gifts supported the creation and expansion of key spaces and programs on campus.

These new workspaces, laboratories and classrooms provide our faculty with the tools to in turn provide our students with the skills desired by industry throughout the world and the nations leading graduate and doctorate programs, said Jeffrey A. Harrison, president and chief executive officer of Citizens Energy Group in Indianapolis, who served as the campaign co-chair with Thomas Dinkel, president of Terre Haute-based Sycamore Engineering. Both are Rose-Hulman alumni and trustees.

Additionally, the proceeds from the campaign supported the installation of new synthetic turf, creating two multipurpose fields used for athletics, recreation and intramural activities. The auction of a McLaren P1 hypercar owned by alumnus Felda Hardymon brought in a world-record $2.39 million, which supported the endowment of the Alfred R. Schmidt Chair for Excellence in Teaching, reinforcing the development of transformative learning experiences in the classroom.

Rose-Hulman also has expanded academic programs in data science, engineering design, biomathematics, and international studies during the Mission Driven Campaign.

Steve Brady, vice president for institutional advancement, noted that the campaign received financial support from many groups, including alumni, friends, corporations, foundations, faculty, staff, and parents. This broad-based support helped Rose-Hulman surpass its ambitious fundraising goal, even within the challenges of the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Our supporters were driven to help us achieve our campaign goal, Brady said. Our alumni value their Rose-Hulman experiences and all of the elements that went into their educations, including our dedicated, caring and talented faculty and staff. They wanted to make sure the institute remained on the cutting edge and, most importantly, a leading force in undergraduate STEM education.

Rose-Hulman is consistently recognized nationally as an elite STEM school for distinctions that include faculty excellence, return on investment, value-added, and career services.

Coons adds that the success of the Mission Driven Campaign is guiding Rose-Hulman toward its future. Administrators, faculty and staff are already examining short-term and long-range strategic initiatives for the future. Some of those goals will be announced later this year.

Rose-Hulman is a place that continues to evolve and improve to meet the challenges of higher educations changing landscape, said the president.

About Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Founded in 1874, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is dedicated to preparing its students with the worlds best undergraduate science, engineering and mathematics education in an environment infused with innovation, intellectual rigor and individualized attention. The institute is consistently recognized nationally as an elite STEM school for distinctions that include faculty excellence, return on investment, value-added, and career services. Career placement is near 100 percent year after year. Located in Terre Haute, Indiana, Rose-Hulman has an enrollment of approximately 2,000 undergraduate students and nearly 100 graduate students. Learn more at rose-hulman.edu.

INTERVIEW AVAILABILITY THURSDAY MORNING Rose-Hulman President Robert Coons is available for on-campus, Zoom or telephone interviews Thursday, July 29, from 9-11 a.m. Make arrangements through Dale Long, director of media relations, at dale.long@rose-hulman.edu or 812-877-8418.

IMAGE ATTACHMENT DESCRIPTION: Here is a link to a Dropbox with images showcasing successful areas of the Mission Driven Campaign for Rose-Hulman: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qtw714ezju7u1ai/AADEu5SoIYsr1FcY31TqvKfYa/Photos?dl=0&subfolder_nav_tracking=1 Please credit: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology/Bryan Cantwell

ROSE-HULMAN B-ROLL VIDEO: Video showcasing areas of Rose-Hulmans campus impacted by areas of the Mission Driven Campaign for Rose-Hulman can be found at the following Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qtw714ezju7u1ai/AABr3V6qr9o6GyMuSasTus9Aa/Video?dl=0&preview=Rose-Hulman+Mission+Driven+Video+v3.mp4&subfolder_nav_tracking=1 Any portion of this b-roll segment can be used with this news release.

MEDIA CONTACT: Dale H. Long | Executive Editor and Director of Media Relations Office of Communications and Marketing ROSE-HULMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 5500 Wabash Avenue | Terre Haute, IN 47803-3999 Phone: 812.877.8418 | Cell: 812.208-5615 Dale.Long@rose-hulman.edu