For More Information Contact:
Carla Wiedmier, ISU Foundation, 515.294.4489, wiedmier@iastate.edu
Eric Dieterle, College of Engineering, 515.294-4881, dieterle@iastate.edu
Ann Wilson, ISU Foundation, 515.294-9608, awilson@foundation.iastate.edu

3M Foundation commits $500,000 to the Engineering Leadership Program at Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa - The College of Engineering has received a $500,000 commitment from the 3M Foundation for the Engineering Leadership Program. In addition to a $500,000 gift in 2005, this brings 3M’s total contributions to $1 million for this program.

The Engineering Leadership Program (ELP) integrates academics with experiential learning and a community orientation to develop the leadership potential of students in the college. The 3M Foundation’s gift will continue to be used to fund scholarships, program development and student leadership activities. At full strength, the program will have 60 3M scholars currently there are 38, and 15 more scholars will be added this fall.

“We are grateful to the 3M Foundation for their support of this unique program,” said Mark J. Kushner, dean of the College of Engineering. “The solutions to many of the extremely complex problems we face as a society will be based on technology. However, the implementation of these solutions requires an appreciation of social and policy issues. The Engineering Leadership Program is designed to broaden our students’ expertise in these social and policy areas by building on the excellent technical education they are receiving.”

ELP provides a comprehensive approach to engineering leadership, focusing not only on academic performance, but also on specific skills and engagement with communities beyond the classroom.

“The Engineering Leadership Program is an innovative program which helps prepare engineering students for leadership roles in their careers,” said Alex Cirillo, vice president, 3M Foundation. “Building awareness and learning the fundamentals of leadership while still in college is essential to success, and 3M is proud to help develop these skills in today’s students.”

Iowa State and 3M have had a long term partnership including 3M staff serving as professional mentors to scholars and speakers for leadership seminars. The company’s current workforce includes approximately 350 graduates of the ISU College of Engineering. 3M recently received the 2008 Order of the Knoll Corporate-Foundation Award, which recognizes their outstanding support of Iowa State.

This commitment is part of Campaign Iowa State: With Pride and Purpose, the university’s $800 million fundraising effort that was publicly launched last October.

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