Marquette University announced today that a California couple has pledged $5 million to the school's College of Engineering to establish an endowed chair in secure and renewable energy systems.
"Our gift will have a lasting impact in attracting new talent to the pursuit of renewable energy/sustainability solutions at an institution we believe will make a difference," said Thomas H. Werner, chief executive officer of San Jose, Calif.-based SunPower Corp. "My wife Suzanne and I believe both in the power of education and in the importance of scholarship and research in engineering and applied science."
Tom Werner earned his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Marquette in 1986 and was named the college's Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2007. SunPower designs, manufactures and delivers high-performance solar electric systems worldwide for residential, commercial and utility-scale power plant customers.
"Sustainable energy is fundamental to our quality of life. We must, from both an industrial and educational perspective, address the issues of energy consumption and find ways to facilitate energy production from renewable energy sources," said Marquette Opus Dean of Engineering Stan Jaskolski. "The Thomas H. and Suzanne W. Werner Chair in Secure and Renewable Energy Systems will position Marquette as a leader in this area for southeastern Wisconsin."
Jaskolski said the new chair will lead a multidisciplinary research cluster of four to six faculty and develop a cutting-edge curriculum.
"Given student interest in sustainability and the environment, I expect this program to attract both undergraduates and graduate students," he said. "We will continue to emphasize the importance of knowledge-based innovation as students work with faculty to pursue such practical applications as solar electric energy generation, modern electric drives and the design of products that make energy consumption more efficient."
MU College of Engineering receives $5 million donation
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