2008 Woodie Awards
Alabama Power gifts to College of Engineering
T.R. Risner
Staff Reporter
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: News
The Alabama Power Foundation recently contributed more than $1 million to the University of South Alabama's College of Engineering to build two new engineering labs.
The money is planned to be used for engineering scholarships and laboratories.
"This contribution to the University of South Alabama's school of engineering by the Alabama Power Foundation makes a total of $1 million to fund engineering scholarships and laboratories at USA," said Cheryl Thompson, vice president of the Mobile division of Alabama Power.
The donation adds to the more than $50 million recently received by the engineering department for a new building.
"The primary purpose [of the $1 million] is to have excellent instructional laboratories in the new engineering building, but we will begin obtaining the equipment and start using it as we can in the existing facilities," said John Steadman, dean of the College of Engineering.
"This most recent charitable gift commitment demonstrates [Alabama Power's] belief that a high-quality College of Engineering is important to the future of economic growth of this region," said Dr. Joseph F. Busta Jr., USA's vice president of development and alumni relations. The contribution will allow students to work with more up-to-date equipment, which will allow for a higher-quality education.
"Our students will have the advantage of working with modern equipment associated with electrical power generation and distribution, digital communications systems, power electronics and other electrical engineering topics," Steadman said.
"Alabama Power is one of the University's longest and best corporate partners," Busta said.
The company has been known for contributing to the program for many years and for hiring USA graduates after they complete the program.
"Many of our electrical engineering students go to work for Alabama Power upon graduation," Steadman said. "Alabama Power has to be among the top employers of our electrical engineering graduates, with several recent grads working here in Mobile, Birmingham and other locations."
Alabama Power hopes to improve the chances of USA graduates of having successful careers. "With this contribution, we hope to inspire more students to study engineering and graduate to productive, rewarding careers," Thompson said.
Robin Hurst, South Alabama alum and Alabama Power senior vice president of power delivery, presented the final $250,000 to Busta and Steadman at the USA National Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni and Service Award ceremony.
Hurst, who graduated in 1968 from the engineering department, received one of distinguished alumni awards.
The Alabama Power Company's contribution was part of Campaign USA, South Alabama's first comprehensive fund-raising campaign.
The money is planned to be used for engineering scholarships and laboratories.
"This contribution to the University of South Alabama's school of engineering by the Alabama Power Foundation makes a total of $1 million to fund engineering scholarships and laboratories at USA," said Cheryl Thompson, vice president of the Mobile division of Alabama Power.
The donation adds to the more than $50 million recently received by the engineering department for a new building.
"The primary purpose [of the $1 million] is to have excellent instructional laboratories in the new engineering building, but we will begin obtaining the equipment and start using it as we can in the existing facilities," said John Steadman, dean of the College of Engineering.
"This most recent charitable gift commitment demonstrates [Alabama Power's] belief that a high-quality College of Engineering is important to the future of economic growth of this region," said Dr. Joseph F. Busta Jr., USA's vice president of development and alumni relations. The contribution will allow students to work with more up-to-date equipment, which will allow for a higher-quality education.
"Our students will have the advantage of working with modern equipment associated with electrical power generation and distribution, digital communications systems, power electronics and other electrical engineering topics," Steadman said.
"Alabama Power is one of the University's longest and best corporate partners," Busta said.
The company has been known for contributing to the program for many years and for hiring USA graduates after they complete the program.
"Many of our electrical engineering students go to work for Alabama Power upon graduation," Steadman said. "Alabama Power has to be among the top employers of our electrical engineering graduates, with several recent grads working here in Mobile, Birmingham and other locations."
Alabama Power hopes to improve the chances of USA graduates of having successful careers. "With this contribution, we hope to inspire more students to study engineering and graduate to productive, rewarding careers," Thompson said.
Robin Hurst, South Alabama alum and Alabama Power senior vice president of power delivery, presented the final $250,000 to Busta and Steadman at the USA National Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni and Service Award ceremony.
Hurst, who graduated in 1968 from the engineering department, received one of distinguished alumni awards.
The Alabama Power Company's contribution was part of Campaign USA, South Alabama's first comprehensive fund-raising campaign.
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