Joanna Slominski ’04 wants us to think differently about construction — it’s more than bricks and concrete.
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Doosan Bobcat North America (Doosan Bobcat) recently donated a new robotic cobot and two previously used robotic arms to help outfit a state-of-the-art robotics lab at the university; the gift in kind is valued at $60,000. Doosan Bobcat is committed to investing in STEM-related areas to help fuel innovation and inspire students in engineering and other innovation-related fields.
“We are proud to partner with NDSU to provide its students with innovative resources and equipment for hands-on learning opportunities and foster the next generation of robotics and engineering professionals,” Nicol Winkelman, vice president of human resources at Doosan Bobcat North America, said. “As a company built on decades of engineering advancements, Doosan Bobcat is committed to investing in and developing the talent pool that will shape the next century of innovation.”
NDSU’s robotics minor launched in fall 2020. The 18-credit minor is available to students majoring in any of the programs available in the University’s College of Engineering. Students say they’re excited about this opportunity to better prepare them for future careers.
“Robotics has a special place in my heart because it incorporates everything — mechanical engineering, electrical systems and computer programming,” Courtney Hassler, NDSU senior, said. “I like the whole process of what goes into a machine.”
NDSU students practice using the robotic cobot.
As robotic systems continue to develop across industries, this minor, along with a dedicated learning space, allows NDSU to meet the needs of its students and communities, further advancing its mission.
“There’s been rapid growth in the need for engineers and computer scientists with the technical skills to work in the field of robotics,” Michael Kessler, dean of NDSU College of Engineering, said. “Our minor offers extensive hands-on learning activities that directly relate to real-life applications.”
Philanthropic support for campus facility upgrades is part of In Our Hands: The Campaign for North Dakota State University, which has raised more than $430 million for student scholarships, faculty research support, facilities, and student programs.
“Building state-of-the-art learning spaces is a necessity in today’s world,” John Glover, NDSU Foundation president and CEO, said. “We know that for students to go out into the state, region, and beyond fully prepared, they need to learn, work, and perform in 21st-century environments. With this gift, Doosan Bobcat will empower NDSU Engineering to transform its teaching and better equip NDSU graduates with the skills they need to lead future industry innovations.”
In 2015, Doosan Bobcat donated $3 million to NDSU to fund a STEM-related scholarship program. The gift was matched at 50% by the North Dakota Challenge Grant, for a combined gift of $4.5 million. In fall 2021, the endowment will distribute approximately $180,000 in scholarships per year in perpetuity, benefiting countless students and their families.
