With a $160,000 gift, GE is sponsoring the Residential Experience in the College of Engineering. As part of the partnership program, beginning in the fall 2011 semester, GE will present an engineering problem based on the theme “Cleaner Transportation for a Sustainable Future,” and students will be immersed in learning about the industry. Student involvement could include developing ideas to solve transportation issues, leading environmental initiatives, working on projects that emphasize clean transportation, job shadowing and field trips to GE facilities.
“I am convinced that this partnership will be a great way to educate our students about the transportation industry and encourage them to consider pursuing careers in this field,” said Satish Udpa, dean of the College of Engineering. “We are eager to partner with GE in developing materials and programs that will convey the excitement of working in an industry that is vital for a sustainable future.”
Students in the Residential Experience program live in Wilson Hall with other engineering students as well as those from other majors and colleges, promoting cross-disciplinary interactions. They learn from each other and through hands-on and co-curricular activities. They learn how to function in a collaborative, team-based, diverse and increasingly global setting.
“This support from GE will provide exciting new experiences for our students, enabling them to explore solutions to key problems in the field of transportation,” said Neeraj Buch, director of the Residential Experience and Cornerstone Engineering.
“Through its sponsorship GE will be helping us build the next generation of Spartan engineers.”
“We are excited about the innovative partnership between Michigan State University and GE,” said Brett BeGole, general manager of Global Locomotive Operations. “We are looking forward to engaging the next generation of technology leaders to shape the future of the transportation industry worldwide. GE is committed to address the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. The residential experience and cornerstone engineering program at MSU is an ideal partner to advance what we call Ecomagination.”