Campaign FIRST
For the past half-century, the Department of Chemical Engineering
and Materials Science (CEMS) forged a tradition of excellence under
the legendary leadership of Neal Amundson, "the father of chemical
engineering," and his accomplished successors.
Amundson was among
the more than 300 prominent CEMS alumni who gathered in Minneapolis
June 23-24, 2006, for Celebration FIRST. The first-of-its-kind alumni
event celebrated the department's world-class legacy and mobilized
alumni to ensure its future success.
At the event, alumnus W. Richard
Schmeal, a retired Shell Oil executive, announced the launch of Campaign
FIRST, a $20 million initiative to fund full fellowships for first-year
CEMS graduate students.
Ensuring our legacy of scholarship and innovation
One measure of a university's reputation and standings is the caliber
of its graduate students. Talented students set high standards for
their peers and enhance faculty research. After earning advanced degrees,
they often bring further distinction to their alma maters as faculty
at other institutions or as leaders in industry.
In the National Research
Council's most recent ranking, the University of Minnesota is ranked
first in chemical engineering. In 2005, U.S. News & World Report also
ranked the University in first place, in a tie with Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. As a result, the growing demand for our highly
skilled graduates is not surprising.
Because increases in the cost
of higher education continue to outpace state funding, private donations
are vital to our ability to attract talented young students and to
recruit and retain the best faculty.
Your gift to Campaign FIRST advances
the quality of our teaching and research, making you an active partner
in our efforts and accomplishments.
With your continued support and
commitment CEMS can continue to build educational programs that transform
the lives of students, engage outstanding faculty, and increase the
quality of life for us all. Together we can ensure that knowledge
and discovery continue to improve lives and livelihoods for people
in our communities and around the world.
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a gift to Campaign FIRST |
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