July 10, 2006-The University of Utah College of Engineering today announced a $250,000 gift from the Micron Technology Foundation for equipment, technology infrastructure and furnishings for the $30 million John E. and Marva M. Warnock Engineering Building. When completed in October 2006, the 100,000 square-foot Warnock Building will provide the academic hub for the nearly 3,500 engineering students, faculty and staff members at the University of Utah, as well as a gathering space for visitors and the community.
In addition to the quarter million dollar gift, Micron provided another $23,000 for student projects and outreach activities in the college. Micron’s total support for students, faculty, equipment and research at the University has exceeded more than $1 million during the past decade. With the Micron Technology Foundation”s goal of advancing science and technology through education, the gifts to the College of Engineering will help to increase the mindshare of qualified engineering graduates for the regional microelectronics industry. The Foundation is the non-profit organization established by memory and CMOS image sensor maker Micron Technology, Inc.
According to Richard B. Brown, dean of engineering, “Micron support has made a significant difference in the quality of engineering education at the U and throughout the state. This most recent gift will help to assure that the U’s first new engineering building in more than 45 years will be appropriately equipped, wired and furnished.”
As a result of Utah’s statewide engineering initiative, the College of Engineering has grown significantly during the past five years. The number of degrees awarded has increased nearly 66 percent since 1999. The new building will provide urgently needed space for students, faculty and programs.
Corporate partnerships are a vital part of a modern engineering education. According to Brown, “Micron involvement in the College of Engineering has been a motivating force for more than a decade. Company advisory board and technical leaders help to assure a relevant and rigorous curriculum. Micron-funded scholarships and capstone projects consistently represent the highest level of academic achievement. Micron jobs are an important and highly sought-after source of professional employment for the college’s top graduates.”
Micron and Intel recently formed a joint venture, IM Flash Technologies LLC., to focus on NAND flash memory manufacturing production. As the fabrication facility ramps up in Lehi, this partnership will only reinforce Micron and IM Flash’s need for a technically educated workforce in Utah.