Over the years, the College of Engineering has continued to provide high-quality, accredited educational programs at an affordable cost, graduating professionals who are in high demand in the engineering, computer science and construction marketplaces. Our vision is to be the engineering college of choice for students, faculty and employers seeking to enhance society through leadership and innovation. To meet that vision, we have identified the following philanthropic priorities. 

Named Chairs and Professorships

The single most important asset of the College of Engineering is our people (faculty and staff). They define the quality of the educational experience offered by the college, they drive the innovation and impact of our research enterprise, and they serve as mentors for our students who will become the next generation of leaders to create new technology and solve the challenges facing society. Outstanding faculty attract other top faculty and great students. However, competition for top faculty is intense, and the college needs to add more named chairs and professorships to reach the level of its current and aspirational peers. In addition to the prestige of the position, these named chairs and professorships provide, in perpetuity, valuable salary supplements and vital discretionary funds for recipients to use to support students, research and professional travel. The cost for a deanship, an endowed chair, a professorship, and a fellowship is $3M, $3-6M, $1.5M, and $750,000 respectively.

Student Success Initiatives

Preparing highly skilled, career-ready engineers, computer scientists, and construction managers is central to NDSU’s land-grant mission. Since the University’s founding in 1890, we have been focused on teaching hands-on, practical courses that prepare our students and graduates to make lives better in North Dakota and around the world. Gifts in this area will support collaborative, interdisciplinary learning programs, student clubs and teams and our Industry Connections Mentorship program. These initiatives allow our to students gain experience working on real-world projects in partnership with peers, faculty and staff, and industry partners.

Teaching Laboratory Equipment

The College of Engineering continues to introduce new programs to meet the needs of industry and attract new students to NDSU. New programs require new equipment to outfit teaching laboratories to ensure students have extensive opportunities for hands-on learning. 

Four Year Renewable Scholarships for College of Engineering Students

Due to increasing competition, scholarship awards for incoming College of Engineering students have never been more important. In addition to merit, we plan to target students with financial need to help us remain competitive with students who are low and middle income. Individual award amounts in the range of $2,000 to $5,000 are most effective in influencing a student's decision on where to attend college.