The Consumers Energy Foundation, a long-time supporter of the CoRe Experience first-year engineering program at MSU, is contributing $250,000 to continue its support of the next generation of engineering and computer-science students, MSU announced Wednesday.
MSU’s Cornerstone & Residential Experience, or CoRe, is an integrated living-learning community in the MSU College of Engineering that prepares engineering students through activities that range from academic classes, to team building, strengthening interview skills and fun seasonal celebrations.
Engineering Dean Leo Kempel said the investment from Consumers Energy gives some of Michigan State University’s youngest students a chance to explore career options in the diverse energy industry.
“Consumers Energy is a partner from the first day a student is a Spartan Engineer all the way through full-time employment,” Kempel said. “They understand the importance of supporting MSU’s young talent through outreach and professional experiences.”
For Consumers Energy, it is an extension of paid summer internships for 34 MSU students, who bring critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as a keen willingness to learn, to their summer jobs.
“We are pleased to build on our strong relationship with Michigan State University. We want to help provide a world-class educational experience to engineering students and give them the confidence that world-class opportunities await in our industry,” said David Mengebier, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “This grant and relationship exemplify our commitment to developing and retaining engineering and other talent with STEM expertise in Michigan.”
Consumers Energy, which began supporting CoRe in 2010, was the program’s first corporate sponsor.
A formal celebration of the contribution will take place later this year at MSU.
The Consumers Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility.