VANCOUVER – The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust has donated $240,500 to Washington State University Vancouver towards the creation of computer science and mechanical engineering labs.
This gift will enable WSU Vancouver faculty to increase the integration of modern/emerging technologies; create longitudinal learning experiences so that interdisciplinary concepts can be revisited sequentially throughout a student’s learning career; implement a student-centered educational model with increased hands-on experiences; respond to local industry’s needs; and expand an outreach program to expose pre-college youth to engineering and computer science.
WSU Vancouver’s School of Engineering and Computer Science is an academic unit of the WSU College of Engineering and Architecture which houses the engineering and computer science programs located at WSU Vancouver. With its equipped classrooms and laboratories, small class sizes and research faculty, the program provides a stimulating environment for education and research. Currently, WSU Vancouver offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering and computer science.
“This gift from the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust will allow us to significantly enhance our engineering and computer science programs through curricular reform and state-of-the-art laboratories,” said Hakan Gurocak, director of the School of Engineering and Computer Science. “With the help of this grant, we will be able to implement specialization option tracks in mechatronics, design and manufacturing and micro/nano technology in our mechanical engineering program.
“Furthermore, we will implement a course sequence on mobile computing and networking in our computer science program. It enables WSU Vancouver to continue to provide Southwest Washington with well-educated graduates who are important to the continued economic development of the region and the state. Additionally, their leadership in funding our labs has helped us to create strong partnerships with local industries.”
WSU Vancouver offers 14 bachelor’s and nine master’s degrees in more than 35 fields of study. The campus is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205.
