CLEMSON -- Continuing its investment in South Carolina's economic infrastructure, Rockwell today announced a $1 million endowment to Clemson University to fund scholarships for students in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.
The Rockwell Engineering Scholars Endowment will help Clemson meet its commitment to increase its number of engineering graduates by 30 percent, a pledge made in response to growing demands from South Carolina's technology-oriented industries.
"Rockwell is proud of our involvement with Clemson, and we are very excited about this gift," said Rockwell Automation Power Systems President Joseph D. Swann. "Clemson's excellence in engineering makes it a valuable resource for local industry, and we believe this endowment makes it possible for an even greater number of deserving students to receive a top-quality education in engineering."
A member of the Clemson University Board of Trustees, Swann has a keen appreciation for what this type of investment can mean in the workforce. Rockwell brought nearly 400 new jobs to the Upstate when it relocated an operating unit headquarters to Greenville last year.
"Industries like ours depend upon a highly educated, highly technical workforce," Swann added. "For this reason, we have an obligation to colleges and universities to help them develop the people who drive our businesses."
Rockwell's pledge, to be made over five years, will go toward The Clemson Commitment, the university's five-year, $210 million capital campaign.
Additionally, Rockwell will provide an initial $100,000 gift of equipment, including Allen Bradley®, Dodge® and Reliance Electric® branded products, key mechanical, electrical, and control process components in industrial automation. Other equipment, valued at up to $25,000, will be donated annually for the subsequent four years for modernization and updates of targeted labs, as well as the creation of a multidisciplinary design lab. Mechanical and electrical engineering students will work collaboratively in the lab on common design projects such as those required in the increasingly skills-integrated workplace. The lab will be designated as The Rockwell Automation Multidisciplinary Design Laboratory.
"To meet the many economic and technological challenges of the 21st century, Clemson University must be poised to educate collaborative engineering and scientific leaders of tomorrow -- those who can push past existing boundaries and accomplish what is merely suggested in the research and technology of today," said James F. Barker, Clemson's newly named president. "The Rockwell Engineering Scholars program will ensure that we can continue attracting the best students to Clemson."
This gift continues a long association between Rockwell and Clemson University. Rockwell Automation Power Systems is based in Greenville, S.C., and has close ties with the Clemson community. Roughly ten percent of the employees at the headquarters of this Rockwell operating unit are graduates of Clemson.
"As a land-grant university, one of our missions is to prepare the work force needed to fuel the further economic development of the state," said Thomas Keinath, dean of the College of Engineering and Science. "Scholarships help us achieve that goal, while keeping tuition affordable for South Carolina families. We thank Rockwell, which has a long tradition of supporting Clemson and the greater community."
Senior Rachel Hayes, a mechanical engineering student from Manning, S.C., said scholarship availability helped cinch her decision to come to Clemson. "My parents know the importance of a college degree, but, with three children at home, scholarship help can make all the difference in the world."
As an operating unit of Rockwell Automation, Power Systems offers Dodge mechanical power transmission products and Reliance Electric motors and drives.
Combining these leading brands enables Power Systems to offer integrated motor and mechanical power transmission solutions for automation needs in mining, aggregate, food/beverage, forestry, transportation, petrochemicals, metals, unit handling, air handling and environmental-related industries.
Rockwell Automation brings together leading brands in industrial automation, including Allen-Bradley controls, Reliance Electric power transmission products, DODGE mechanical power transmission components, and Rockwell Software®. Rockwell Automation's unique, flexible approach to helping customers achieve a competitive advantage is supported by thousands of authorized partners, distributors and system integrators around the world. For more information about Rockwell Automation products and services, point your web browser to www.automation.rockwell.com .
Rockwell is a $7 billion electronic controls and communications company with global leadership market positions in industrial automation, avionics and communications, and electronic commerce. The company employs about 40,000 people at more than 450 locations serving customers in more than 80 countries.