MSU’s Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Capstone Lab has been significantly upgraded with a gift of $30,000 from Urban Science, a Detroit-based business-solutions company. The Urban Science gift made possible the purchase of 12 Apple 27-inch iMacs for the. Urban Science previously had donated $30,000 in 2011 for an initial set of 12 Apple 27-inch iMacs for the lab.
According to Wayne Dyksen, professor for the CSE capstone course, “Each powerful computer, in combination with so-called virtualization software, enables students to develop software for any architecture, including Apple Macs, iPads, iPhones, any version of Microsoft Windows, Android phones and tablets, and any version of Unix.”
A special ceremony celebrated Urban Science at a March 4, 2015 gathering in the CSE Capstone Lab. “We want to thank Urban Science so much for this $30,000 gift,” said Leo Kempel, dean of the College of Engineering.
“Strengthening this lab allows the College of Engineering to help students transition into being career-ready graduates,” he continued. “We are grateful for this contribution from Urban Science.”
Trustee Melanie Foster expressed the appreciation of the MSU Board of Trustees. “As board members, we truly value our relationship with industry but especially with industry based in Michigan,” she said, noting that Urban Science has hired 29 MSU alumni in the last five years, including two recent graduates. “We value the opportunity for our graduates to stay here in Michigan.”
Urban Science supports the sales and marketing needs of the automotive industry. The company leverages a scientific methodology to help increase vehicle sales, improve profitability, and reinforce customer loyalty.
“We are thrilled to support this lab and really want to attract talent from MSU to Urban Science,” said Elizabeth Klee, chief information officer for the company. “This is a win for all of us.”
Since 2009, Urban Science has sponsored 13 CSE capstone projects. For the 2014 fall semester project, titled "HR Matters," students on the Urban Science team developed a software tool that enables auto dealers to assess key behavioral competencies of their employees to help them develop in their role such as a salesperson or service advisor.
Dyksen noted, “Our partnership with Urban Science helps us provide our students with outstanding computing facilities. In return, MSU provides Urban Science with outstanding computer science graduates.”
For more information on making a gift to support the College of Engineering, contact Director of Development Stephen Bates at (517) 355-8339 or batesst@msu.edu
Author: Alisa Healy