Participation in all facets of the Kern Center is on a voluntary basis. The Kern Center and its staff assume no responsibility for injuries received by any person during participation or involvement in any sponsored program or service.
Mission Statement The mission of the Kern Center is to provide high-quality physical recreation opportunities through the medium of sport; to provide programs and services that promote the three areas of wellness—mind, body and spirit; and to create an atmosphere that encourages individuals to develop lifelong patterns of positive recreational activity regardless of skill level. The Kern Center’s programs and facilities are available to all students, faculty and staff of MSOE without regard to age, sex, race or disability.
The Kern Center Namesake Drs. Robert and Patricia Kern founded Generac Power Systems of Waukesha, Wisconsin, in 1959 out of their garage with one employee, and grew it into a 2,000-person operation. The company produces generators for industrial and consumer markets and has a number of facilities in Wisconsin, the Midwest and overseas. Robert Kern is the retired chairman and CEO of Generac and has been an MSOE Regent since 1992. Generac was sold in 2006 and resulted in the establishment of the Kern Family Foundation. The Kerns are longtime supporters of MSOE and generous benefactors. The Kern Family Foundation provided the majority of funds needed to build the 210,000 square-foot Kern Center, which opened in 2004. 4
