2021-22 Fiscal Year Impact Report

2021–22

Fiscal Year Impact Report

An annual publication from the Office of University Advancement on the impact of philanthropy.

On the Cover:

Monique Landry and the women’s rowing team glide across the Milwaukee River during an early morning practice.

YOUR impact at MSOE

Every day, MSOE’s faculty and staff work hard to prepare students who will one day solve the diverse technical challenges of tomorrow. Your gifts to MSOE make our mission possible.

This report from the Office of University Advancement speaks to this strong commitment of our alumni, friends and partners in business and industry to the university and highlights the importance of philanthropy at MSOE during our most recent fiscal year, ending June 30, 2022.

Private philanthropy from individuals and gifts from corporate partners, businesses and private and public foundations are critical to ensuring the education of our students and providing a source of funding that supports the future of MSOE. Each dollar directly

impacts the lives of our students through support from scholarships and valuable resources for our programs both inside and outside the classroom.

Thank you for helping us fulfill the strategic mission, vision and values of Milwaukee School of Engineering. I hope you enjoy a glimpse of how philanthropy to MSOE made a transformative difference on our campus and continues to provide a pathway to success for the students we serve.

Sincerely,

John Y. Walz President

C ONNECTING PRESENT AND FUTURE RAIDERS

Rufus King High School senior Maximus Bryant was excited to be given a glimpse of his academic future through the Senior Design Scholars program this Spring. The future electrical engineer and MSOE Raider took part in the program thanks to philanthropic support from American Family Insurance.

MSOE launched the Senior Design Scholars program in 2022, which recruits a cohort of high school seniors from the greater Milwaukee area that are already accepted to attend MSOE and lets them experience collegiate academic life as a member of an MSOE senior design team. The high school students work closely with MSOE seniors and faculty advisors to address real-world challenges and present their work at the MSOE Senior Project Showcase in May.

This year, there were four high school students who were paired up with two teams of MSOE mechanical engineering students. The MSOE seniors who participated received support for their capstone project while serving as ambassadors for the university.

Bryant and his teammate, fellow Rufus King senior Ben Liebl, were assigned to the PneuMan 2.0 senior design project, a humanoid robot powered by both electrical and pneumatic actuation. For MSOE senior Corbin Gustafson, having both

high school seniors on his team was beneficial to the project and an opportunity for Gustafson to provide mentorship to the scholars.

“My teammates and I were very thankful to have help from these scholars. I was excited to assign them tasks above their skill level and then watch them learn more about pneumatics and how senior design works,” said Gustafson.

For Bryant, the relationships he made on campus before officially becoming a freshman were incredibly valuable. “Instead of being completely new to MSOE next year, I’ll arrive having already made important connections with professors and upperclassmen who will be there to support me,” said Bryant.

Liebl agreed on the benefits of the new program. “When I joined my goal was to learn about college life, but I received much more. I now have a useful skill set on how basic pneumatics work, how to compose a bill of materials, and design pneumatic circuitry,” said Liebl.

MSOE was thrilled to partner with American Family for this new, innovative initiative to cultivate the next generation of diverse STEM leaders. The launch of the Senior Design Scholars program is part of the university’s efforts to widen access to STEM education, increase student retention and strengthen a sense of inclusion and belonging within the MSOE community.

The Senior Design Scholars program empowered MSOE seniors to take the lead while high school seniors gained valuable hands-on learning experiences.

MSOE seniors and faculty gather with the Senior Design Scholars. From left: Dr. Bill Farrow, William Busch, Jack Haek, Erin Snow (Homestead H.S.), Ben Liebl, Camille Sherwin (American Family Insurance), Alex Reid, Maximus Bryant (Rufus King H.S.), Dr. Luis Rodriguez, Mitchell Kohlmetz, Corbin Gustafson.

“American Family Insurance is proud to partner with MSOE to offer the Senior Design Scholars program, as we share their passion for expanding exposure and awareness around STEM education to future MSOE students,” said Maritza Contreras, American Family community and social impact advisor. “This program gives a diverse group of high school seniors a tremendous opportunity to participate in STEM-centered disciplines, tackle real-world issues and prepare for future success in STEM careers while earning college credits.”

The program also provided participants opportunities for team building, cross-cultural communication, and helped kickstart their development as STEM learners. Learning more about STEM was one of the reasons Lisbeth CruzMolina, a senior at Carmen South High School, was excited to join the program. The program helped her gain additional

skills that will benefit her beyond the classroom. “I gained confidence and learned how to communicate more, how to be fearless and to not be afraid to try new things.”

Her teammate Erin Snow, a senior at Homestead High School in Mequon, agreed. “Without the Senior Design Scholars program, I wouldn’t be as confident and comfortable with pursuing a major in STEM. This program opened my eyes on what I can be.”

Snow and Cruz-Molina worked with MSOE seniors Alex Reid, Jack Haek, Willian Busch and Andrew Ramirez to create “The Automated Tool-Changing Machine.” Their Additive/ Subtractive Manufacturing Robot (ASMR) acts as an all-inone manufacturing and prototyping device optimized for use in small-scale research and development applications or hobbyist-level workshops.

Reid says the experience was life-changing for everyone who participated. “Thank you, American Family Insurance, for not only impacting the lives of six seniors on our project, but for supporting the development of a product that could ultimately impact others in the future. Your kindness and generosity are supporting many bright young engineering careers, and that’s a very admirable result.”

As for Molina-Cruz, Snow, Bryant and Liebl, they are all thankful to have had this opportunity and would encourage any high school senior to be part of this dynamic and inclusive program.

I would 100% recommend and encourage other high schoolers to join this program. It gives insight into the STEM fields, opens the door for many future opportunities and challenges you for the better.

Erin Snow

”

Philanthropic

for MSOE

AUG. SEPT.

Alumni and friends help raise over $125,000 for student scholarships at MSOE’s Regents’ Golf Outing.

SPITZER DINING COMMONS GRAND OPENING

Family, friends, MSOE faculty and staff gather to dedicate the opening of Spitzer Dining Commons on Sept. 11.

RUEHLOW NURSING COMPLEX EXPANSION GRAND OPENING

Alumni and friends celebrate the expansion of the Ruehlow Nursing Complex.

GIVING TUESDAY

For 24 hours, members of our MSOE campus community raised over $19,500 to support the Student Veterans Organization, diversity and inclusion programming, and Health and Counseling Services on campus.

HERMANN VIETS TOWER GRAND OPENING

Hundreds gather to celebrate the grand opening of Hermann Viets Tower.

STEM GRAND OPENING

MSOE celebrates the opening of the We Energies STEM Center at MSOE on Sept. 22. The new center is the premier STEM destination in Milwaukee for K-12 students and home to all of MSOE’s STEM outreach efforts.

INVESTMENT IN WOMEN’S ATHLETIC FACILITIES EXPANSION

Thanks to generous gifts from MSOE Regent Dr. Kathleen Ruehlow ’72, Regent Matthew ’00 and Jodi ’98 Burow, and Fiduciary Management Inc., the university announces phase one of a multi-year plan to expand co-curricular offerings that includes an expansion of arts programming, women’s sports and athletic facilities.

GIVING DAY

MSOE’s annual Giving Day on April 21 raises $412,339 from 307 alumni and friends in 24 hours.

47%

FACULTY AND STAFF CAMPAIGN

47% of MSOE faculty and staff give during the For MSOE, By MSOE annual campaign, raising $93,000 to support our students.

RAIDERS TODAY, RAIDERS FOR LIFE

PAVE THE WAY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES

Alumni, students, parents, and friends of the university are encouraged to purchase a customized paver to be displayed in the new Alumni Plaza. 195 engraved pavers have been purchased so far. Support of the campaign goes to an endowed scholarship to support students.

SOFTBALL STADIUM GROUNDBREAKING

A ceremonial unveiling is held for the new MSOE Raider Field. The $2,935,000 softball stadium is being funded through gifts from MSOE Regents, alumni and friends of the university.

SENIOR GIVING CAMPAIGN

Raiders Today, Raiders for Life senior giving campaign launches. 13% of the senior class gives to the campaign, raising $4,500 to support MSOE.

PGO

Alumni and friends help raise more than $127,000 for student scholarships at MSOE’s President’s Golf Outing.

The Office of University Advancement total fundraising in FY22 was $16.4M surpassing the goal of $15.5M.

*Total fundraising = cash gifts and documented pledges.

SUPPORTING A LIFETIME OF LISTENING

If music is the soundtrack of life, then WMSE would be the station of choice for Tracy Thomas. Her passion for both the radio station and its songs started at an early age.

“I grew up in the days of being able to call a radio station to request a song, but my first introduction to WMSE was in the 90’s listening to the Boogie Bang Show on Saturday afternoons. I just thought the station was the greatest thing ever,” said Thomas.

Even though the times of call-in requests and recording your favorite songs off a portable boombox came and went, Thomas still found new ways to tune into her favorite passion.

“I worked for 10 years as a disc jockey on the weekends. I did over 300 weddings and parties.”

When Thomas turned off the mic in 1997 and started working in nonprofit as a controller at Independence First in Milwaukee, WMSE and its music still played an important role in her life.

“I really appreciate the latitude that WMSE gives its DJs to put together their own shows. You can tell they are passionate and love their craft. They are also all volunteers, which is unbelievable.”

The station even kept Thomas company in 2020 when many around the world suddenly became isolated from family and friends amidst a global pandemic. “I loved getting to listen to WMSE every day when I was working from home.”

In 2021, Thomas decided to put into action what she had been thinking about for several years. “I finalized my estate plan and wanted to make sure WMSE was included.”

Thomas’ bequest will help ensure the financial stability of, in her words, “the best radio station in the world.”

“Working at a nonprofit for 25 years, I understand and appreciate the need to be financially secure and to focus on other goals. I hope this gift keeps the station freeform and independent for the future.”

WMSE Station Manager Tom Crawford said Thomas is one of the station’s most passionate volunteers and her support will help aide in the long-term future of WMSE.

We are so grateful for loyal listeners like Tracy who support our mission of educating members of our community through music you can’t hear anywhere else on the radio dial,” said Crawford. “Her support helps us support local artists who otherwise wouldn’t receive commercial radio exposure.

INSPIRING INNOVATION

To honor the memory of alumnus Terry Nelson ’64 and his successful engineering and business career, the Nelson family is sharing his legacy through philanthropy to the university.

Born in Minnesota, Terry’s family moved to Milwaukee where he graduated from Bay View High School in 1958. He worked for two years as a draftsman for the City of Milwaukee to save money for college.

In 1961, Terry enrolled at MSOE and earned a degree in electrical engineering in just three and a half years. His wife, Kathy Nelson, remembers Terry’s days as a student fondly. “Terry was the hard worker going to class and working at both Allen-Bradley and Journal Sentinel while a student.” She added Terry’s hard work was even rewarded with a small scholarship from MSOE during the last two years of school.

After graduation, Terry began a long and successful career at Allen-Bradley in Milwaukee where he served for more than 30 years in numerous roles ranging from product development engineer, division general manager and senior vice president of the company. In his roles, he was involved in lean business practices, quick response manufacturing, product development, manufacturing management, and he earned four U.S. patents during his time there.

Terry stayed very active in the community and served on boards for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and Sixteenth Street Community Health Center. He also was an MSOE Corporation member and involved with various MSOE scholarship committees.

After Terry’s passing from cancer in 2012, Kathy stayed committed to supporting the university that gave her husband so much success in his career and life.

In 2020, the Nelson family named a space inside Viets Tower in his honor: The Nelson Prototype Lab. “The Nelson Prototype Lab reflects Terry’s imaginative and innovative approach to life,” said Kathy.

The lab is located within the Cove, an extension of the CREATE Institute, which is an innovative space where students, faculty and staff can collaborate while utilizing 3D printers and other prototyping tools to bring their ideas to life.

3D printers are used inside The Nelson Prototype Lab to help students bring their ideas to life.

“It is wonderful to watch students from all disciplines utilizing the Nelson Prototype Lab to enhance their learning experience in a way that honors Terry’s approach to innovation,” said Dr. DeAnna Leitzke, ’98 associate vice president of academic excellence at MSOE.

Two of Terry’s grandchildren continued his legacy at MSOE by pursuing degrees from the university. “We have a big family. One of our granddaughters graduated from MSOE in 2014, 50 years to the date of Terry’s graduation. Another granddaughter is currently a senior studying computer science,” said Kathy.

The Nelson family’s involvement with MSOE doesn’t stop there. In 2022, Kathy set up the Terry and Kathy Nelson Scholarship endowment fund to support students studying engineering at MSOE.

Terry valued his education and his experiences at MSOE were a part of his success. He worked hard, and we are proud and thankful to offer a scholarship in his name.

“ ”

$12,682,539.29

amount raised

$5,192,804.13

$2,618,721.87

Departments

$2,061,356.29

$1,309,932.05

$414,441.36

$166,678.66

PAYING GENEROSITY FORWARD—ONE STROKE AT A TIME

Gliding across the Milwaukee River before sunrise on a crisp spring morning may seem daunting to most, but for architectural engineering student Monique Landry, the swift water, rising sun and sound of her teammates’ oars behind her provide the comfort of home.

“Being a part of the MSOE women’s rowing team has been one of the highlights of my college career,” said Landry. “It has made me stronger, faster, and most importantly, connected me to some of the most important relationships in my life.”

The camaraderie and stability from her coaches, peers and teammates is something the Kenosha native didn’t always have growing up. Living without her parents by age 15, Landry found herself growing up fast and determined to go to college and find a career to support herself.

After graduating at the top of her high school class, she wanted to pursue engineering not only for its financial stability, but also for the variety of areas you could pursue.

“MSOE’s small size suited me, and it was one of the few to offer a degree in architectural engineering. I was also excited at the possibility to learn both technical and artistic forms of engineering.”

Thanks to philanthropically funded scholarships at MSOE, Landry’s dream became a reality.

As a recipient of the Dr. Alan Ruud ’69 Scholarship, College Endowment Association Scholarship, and Plumbing Mechanical Sheet Metal Contractors Alliance Scholarship, Landry has had the ability to pursue her degree and discover new passions and ways to improve the world around her, unburdened by financial concerns.

When she is not practicing or competing, Landry volunteers for MSOE’s STEM to Stern initiative. The program, which was founded at MSOE and has now spread to campuses around the country, removes barriers for youth in underserved areas and connects them to swimming lessons, supplementary STEM education and the Milwaukee Rowing Club’s middle school rowing team.

“The STEM to Stern program is ran entirely by MSOE rowers and is an incredible opportunity to give back to the local community through engineering and rowing, two things I love,” said Landry.

She is also a member of the MSOE chapter of Engineers Without Borders and serves as project manager. Their latest project was to create a water distribution system for a village in rural Guatemala.

“We designed a gravity-fed water distribution system that will allow 1,050 villagers access to clean water.” Over the summer, Landry traveled to Guatemala to help implement the water system.

Back in the boat, through the repetition of each stroke, Landry reflects on all the treasured memories and opportunities she has been given because of the generosity of others who believed in her.

Each of these opportunities has been so rewarding and contributed greatly to my development as a leader. I am so lucky to be supported by many generous community organizations, and I hope I have demonstrated my commitment to paying their investment forward and using the privilege of my education to strengthen our community.

”

HONORING AN ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

In the Nap household, being an MSOE Raider is a family affair. Dr. Kimbel A. Nap ’71, ’72 was an alumnus who used his MSOE education to build a career filled with business and entrepreneurial success, and then returned to MSOE to share his passions and experiences with MSOE students as an adjunct professor. His wife, Elaine Nap, became a loyal Raider alongside Kimbel throughout his journey and is honoring his passion and legacy today with generous gifts to the university.

“Kimbel always made me feel like I was a part of his classroom,” said Elaine. “I see my gifts to MSOE as an extension of his dedication to the university.”

Elaine’s latest gift to the university honors Kimbel’s entrepreneurial spirit. The Dr. Kimbel and Elaine Nap Entrepreneurial Lab is located within the Innovent Center in the Rader School of Business. The lab offers MSOE students a creative space equipped with tools designed for interdisciplinary exploration, collaboration and entrepreneurship. Patents from MSOE faculty, staff and alumni—including Kimbel—line the walls of the Innovent Center, showing current students that the possibilities for invention are endless.

“We are honored to have the ongoing support of Mrs. Nap,” said Dr. Ruth Barratt, chair of the Rader School of Business. “The Innovent Center is a hub that brings the MSOE community and our partners together. We are providing skills, connections and unparalleled opportunities around our unique shared mindset of value creation through applied learning, entrepreneurship and strong character. It is very fitting this premier space bear the Nap family name. This generous gift will support the entrepreneurial spirit of MSOE into the future by providing much needed funds for new workshops, student projects and equipment.”

What makes the Dr. Kimbel and Elaine Nap Entrepreneurial Lab even more special is that it was once the space Kimbel taught in as an adjunct professor. Elaine knows he would be proud knowing it holds their name today. “Kimbel would always say MSOE was a school where talented individuals come together to share ideas about technology and create new products. I think he would be very proud to know there is now a place on campus where technology and business can come together to solve real-world problems. I hope students who visit this lab learn from his example and leave knowing they too can be successful innovators and creators of value.”

This gift to MSOE is Elaine’s second to the university to honor Kimbel’s memory and legacy. In 2019 she made a gift to Diercks Hall naming the Dr. Kimbel A. and Elaine Nap Classroom.

To Elaine, Kimbel was not only her partner in life, but a hardworking, humble and inspiring man, and she hopes he will continue to inspire more Raiders.

“Kimbel always had great respect and gratitude for the teachers, mentors and lifelong friends he made at MSOE. He worked hard, took nothing for granted, realized his dreams, and was a down-to-earth, all-around nice guy. I hope people come to the Innovent Center and learn from his example.”

Elaine Nap poses in front of one of Kimbel’s patents hanging inside the Innovent Center.