Michigan State University has received grants totaling $270,000 from Bosch and the Bosch Community Fund which will be used to enhance programs within the MSU College of Engineering and the STEM Success program.
Bosch’s corporate human resources department provided $70,000, while the Bosch Community Fund awarded a $130,000 grant.
This $200,000 will support engineering’s CoRe (Cornerstone and Residential) Experience, which engages more than 1,700 students in hands-on design projects to discover how to function in a collaborative, team-based, diverse setting.
In addition, another separate grant, also totaling $70,000, from the Bosch Community Fund will support the university’s STEM Success program to develop high school students’ foundational math skills before entering undergraduate programs. The program benefits students in Detroit Public Schools, Farmington Public Schools and Plymouth/Canton Community Schools.
“This strong partnership helps high schools and MSU focus on fundamental readiness for college-bound and first-year students who have an interest in engineering or other STEM professions,” said Leo Kempel, dean of the College of Engineering. “We are grateful that our corporate partners are willing to invest in supporting these early engineering students.”
In 2014, the MSU Department of Mathematics launched its STEM Success program to help students who don’t receive the precollege math and science education needed to pursue undergraduate STEM-related degrees.
“Since 2012, our collaboration with MSU has focused on promoting innovation and fostering an environment where students will stay engaged in STEM disciplines,” said Max Straub, CFO and executive vice president for Robert Bosch, LLC, and chair of the Bosch Community Fund. “The CoRe Experience and STEM Success programs impact students at various stages in their academic pursuits, which we hope will spark interest in pursuing STEM careers.”
“Preparing students to enter STEM careers is a critical component to ensure we have a qualified future workforce. And it’s never too early to start the preparations,” said Pavel Sikorskii, senior teaching specialist and co-director of undergraduate studies in MSU’s Department of Mathematics. “It’s reassuring to see companies such as Bosch show an interest and be active in reaching out and engaging students.”
The renewed partnership was celebrated April 22 when officials from MSU and Bosch dedicated the redesigned fourth-floor lobby in East Wilson Hall.
The Bosch Community Fund, a U.S.-based foundation established in September 2011, awards more than $3.5 million annually in grants to various organizations and educational institutions.
The Bosch Group employs some 28,700 associates in more than 100 locations, as of April 1, 2015. In 2014, Bosch generated consolidated sales of $11.3 billion in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For more information, visit www.boschusa.com.