GM Key Executive Program Provides Lead Donation to Support Team-Based Student Technology Projects

General Motors Corporation has provided the lead donation to support Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's new Advanced Transportation Systems (ATS) Fund for student programs that are developing future engineering and technology initiatives.

The donation was part of GM's annual $50,000 gift to Rose-Hulman under the Key Executive program.  The college is one of only 27 colleges that have the significant relationship with GM.

Chet Huber, president and chief executive officer of OnStar and Rose-Hulman's GM Key Executive, presented the donation to Rose-Hulman President Dr. John J. Midgley following meetings with students and faculty advisers involved in ATS Fund organizations.

The fund was initiated to help find financial resources and equipment donations for the following student projects:

• Challenge X: Crossover to Sustainable Mobility: Nearly 90 students are currently participating in hands-on research and development of vehicle solutions that minimize energy consumption and reduce emissions in a new advanced technology competition developed by GM, the U.S. Department of Energy and other government industry leaders.  Rose-Hulman was one of only 17 colleges selected for this leading-edge automotive technology competition.
• Supermileage Vehicle Team: Students are striving to design a fuel-efficient one-person vehicle that will improve upon the 1,194 miles per gallon performance achieved while placing third in the 2004 Society of Automotive Engineers' Supermileage Competition.  The vehicle is powered by a highly modified single cylinder 3.5 horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine.
• Aerial Robotics Club: Students are designing an aerial vehicle that will achieve autonomous flight and assist in reconnaissance missions. The vehicle will compete in the annual International Aerial Robotics Competition.
• Team Rose Motorsports: This extracurricular activity allows students to race a 1985 Mazda RX7 GSL-SE and a 1984 Ford Mustang GT at local autocross and drag races in Indiana and Illinois.

These student projects address the fact that engineers and scientists need more and broader knowledge to innovate successfully in the 21st century, according to Art Western, Rose-Hulman's vice president of academic affairs and dean of faculty. Each of the ATS Fund projects involves students from cross-discipline academic majors to work on design and implementation. 

"Rose-Hulman's continued commitment to undergraduate excellence in engineering, with an obvious emphasis on both classroom and practical project work, does a wonderful job in preparing graduates to become impact players early in their careers in industry," Huber stated following his campus visit.  "The cross-discipline teambuilding projects supported by the ATS Fund are providing very valuable opportunities for the students to practice and become comfortable with the kinds of situations  they will absolutely face when they enter a corporate environment."

Portions of GM's annual donation are also supporting Rose-Hulman's student financial aid program and the Admissions Office's recruiting efforts for women and minority students, and provide continued support for the college's student chapters of the National Society of Black Engineers and Society of Women Engineers, and Diversity Council.

Rose-Hulman is seeking donations from other corporations, foundations and friends for the ATS Fund.  Interested persons should contact Richard Boyce, director of corporate and foundation relations, at (812) 877-8443 or Richard.Boyce@rose-hulman.edu.