February 11, 2019 / Technology grants fund Vincennes University innovators
VINCENNES, Ind. - Five proposals have been awarded Thomas W.
Wathen Technology Fund grants, as announced by the Vincennes
University Foundation. Now in its 12th year, the grant program has
provided VU departments 60 grants totaling more than $650,000 for
innovative projects that positively impact VU students and programs.
“Innovative teaching techniques supported by the latest
technology are key components of Vincennes University’s highly
regarded focused, quality education,” said Kristi Deetz, interim
director of the VU Foundation. “Each year Mr. Wathen’s vision creates
leading-edge learning environments for our students.”
The fund was created during the University’s Third Century of
Excellence capital campaign by Thomas W. Wathen, a Vincennes native
and 1949 VU graduate. The $1 million gift that established the
endowment fund was made to assist VU in advancing its educational
mission by addressing the technology challenges of the future, and the
annual income from his gift is used to award the grants.
The purpose of the Wathen Technology Fund is to encourage
faculty and staff to research, analyze, and propose creative classroom
technology projects that will have a significant impact on the way the
University delivers the educational process to students. The goal is
to keep VU at the forefront of higher education as it grows and
changes to meet the developing needs of businesses and employers.
Proposals selected for implementation include: VU Campus
Connect IoT Initiative for Homeland Security, Networking, Information
Technology, Cyber Security, $16,162, submitted by Jaci Lederman, Greg
Hirsch, Paul Vonderwell, Lou Caprino, Rick Whitson; Vernier
LabQuest2/MacGill Supplies for Biology, $13,000, submitted by Ali
Benamar; Physics I - Inquiry Based Studio for Engineering, $8,518,
submitted by Jared Burde; ASL: Learning Glass for ASL and Deaf
Studies, $18,000, submitted by Dr. Cynthia Sanders; and Advanced
Digital Multimeter Training for the Aviation Technology Center,
$8793.75, submitted by Mike Gehrich.
ABOUT THE VU FOUNDATION
In advancing the University’s missions of higher education and
community service, the VU Foundation, through the generosity of its
donors, administers endorsements and contributions established by
corporate and individual gifts, as designated. During the 2018-19
school year, the Foundation will have offered or awarded more than $2
million dollars in scholarships. Additional information is available
by contacting the VU Foundation at 812-888-4510, or online at vinu.edu/foundation.
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