JA Schmidt, a 1971 graduate of Michigan State University, believes in the old adage that “the world can’t exist without farmers and engineers.”
As a first-generation college graduate and the son of a Michigan farmer, my MSU degree in mechanical engineering made a notable impact on my life and career,” Schmidt said. “I wanted to pay it back and hopefully give others like me a shot at the same kind of enriching experience I had on campus.”
In 2013, he established the JA Schmidt Manufacturing Teaching Laboratory in MSU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. Located in the Engineering Building, the lab is open to assist students in design and manufacturing projects. Students and student teams, such as Formula, Baja, Solar racing, and clubs, use the facilities, including drills and 3D printers, to complete projects.
Less than a decade later, Schmidt was inspired to do more when he listened to former College of Engineering Dean Leo Kempel talk about the college’s critical need for expanding the number of endowed professorships.
“I heard Dean Kempel speak in Houston about how important endowed professorships are for the college to recruit and keep top scholars, teachers and mentors on campus. Between that speech and articles in MSU publications, the urgent need to attract the best talent and fill the college’s shortfall of 12-15 endowed professors left a lasting impression on me.”
He established the JA Schmidt Endowed Professorship in Thermal Fluid Sciences with a $1 million commitment. An endowed professorship is a faculty position that receives financial support for salary, research and travel. It is one of the highest honors a faculty member can receive from an institution.
Andre Benard, a professor of mechanical engineering, is the first to serve in the new role and will tackle difficult challenges — from the scarcity of clean water, to energy needs when wind and solar power becomes intermittent, to preparing innovative devices for the harsh environment of space.
“This endowed professorship represents a significant opportunity to expand thermal sciences research and education at MSU,” Benard said. “I envision using this position to establish collaborative centers that bring together researchers, industry partners, and students to tackle complex challenges where thermal sciences play an important role.
“Our group works on the complex dynamics of phase transitions across liquids, gases and solids,” he explained. “This multiphase approach has led to breakthrough applications in several critical areas. We're advancing water purification technologies through enhanced understanding of heat-driven separation processes.
“Our research into oxide-based reactions is resulting in new energy storage systems, offering both short and long-duration solutions that could transform grid-scale energy management and decarbonization of heat in northern climates. Additionally, we've developed computational models that streamline heat exchanger design, significantly reducing development time while improving thermal efficiency.”
Perhaps, most intriguingly, he continued, MSU research is extending its terrestrial innovations to lunar applications.
“The severe environment of the Moon — with its temperature extremes and reduced gravity — presents unique challenges that are pushing our thermal fluid models into new territories. We're developing systems for efficient water splitting, oxygen production from oxide reduction, and energy storage that can operate in 1/6 Earth's gravity. These technologies are crucial for sustainable lunar operations,” Benard added.
Minami Yoda, chairperson of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, expressed her gratitude for Schmidt’s philanthropy and leadership.
“Michigan State’s Department of Mechanical Engineering has been known nationally and internationally for its research and teaching in the thermal sciences and fluid mechanics for more than 60 years,” she said. “The JA Schmidt Endowed Professorship will recognize our faculty who are leaders and innovators in addressing the major technological challenges of this century and in educating the next generation of mechanical engineers. On behalf of ME, thank you for making this possible.”
About JA Schmidt
Schmidt, of Sugar Land, Texas, is a 1971 mechanical engineering graduate of MSU. He worked at Meijer to pay for his MSU education and upon graduation was recruited by Fluor Corp., an international oil and gas contractor.
Schmidt lived overseas for more than 20 years, where he managed mega-refinery and energy projects. His 37-year career took him to five continents. He spent his last 12 years at Fluor as senior vice president of project management. Today, Schmidt splits his time between the Houston area and Michigan's Grand Haven.
“MSU Engineering prepared me for my notable success in the Fluor business world of complicated refineries, pipelines, chemicals plants. As MSU Coach Tom Izzo says to his seniors … leave some footprints behind for others,” Schmidt concluded. “I hope my two MSU projects will benefit and encourage others to follow my lead.”
This story originally appeared on the College of Engineering website.