Priming the Pump
“We are very interested in this area,” says Anita Zucker ’10 (honorary degree). “My late husband, Jerry Zucker, was gifted at math and science. These skills made him the incredible person he was and built our businesses. Couple that with liberal arts, including the importance of communication and writing proficiency, and it completes the person.”
The Zucker family’s scholarship commitment supports President Andrew T. Hsu’s vision for a vibrant School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics. With a preference given to women and minorities, the scholarships will help recruit, inspire and prepare students from across the country who wish to combine a rigorous engineering education with a broad-based liberal arts curriculum, giving them a unique value proposition in the workforce.
“We have been so fortunate to have the Zucker family as part of our campus community over the past 30 years,” says Hsu. “The Zuckers’ latest gift for engineering scholarships will help the College provide a pipeline of talent to our region’s growing high-tech, manufacturing and life sciences industries. We are where we are today because of loyal donors like the Zuckers.”
The Department of Engineering already offers majors in electrical engineering, software engineering and systems engineering and a minor in digital manufacturing technology, with plans to add more. With the critical thinking and communications skills produced by a liberal arts education, graduates from these programs are critical for the aerospace, automotive, logistics, software/IT, medical, and hospitality and tourism jobs that dominate the region. These industries also create opportunities for hands-on experience through internships and co-ops.
The Zucker family’s gift of engineering scholarships is an investment in the community. Having a pipeline of talented engineers to join the workforce will support success in the region.