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Technology Center receives $7 million from ADC Foundation
Brian Hall
- Staff Reporter
The ADC Foundation gave a $7 million gift to the University Digital Technology Center for new faculty positions and graduate student financial aid.
"This is the largest gift the ADC has ever given," said Sandra Larson, executive director of the ADC Foundation.
A $5 million portion of the gift will be allocated to the development of five endowed chairs, including the center's director position. The remaining $2 million will go toward eight fellowships helping graduate students continue their research.
The $2 million portion of the gift will be matched by the University through the 21st Century Graduate Fellowship Endowment.
In spring 1997 the University received a $300,000 grant from the ADC foundation to make improvements to the Information Technology building.
ADC also announced a $3 million agreement with the University to support telecommunications and advanced networking technologies research.
"This gift will be mutually beneficial for the University and ADC," said Larson. "This will continue a partnership that we hope will continue to grow, including using our expertise in lectures and internships.
"ADC and the University are looking to attract the best and brightest people we can."
The Digital Technology Center was established in 1998 after the Minnesota Legislature provided funding for the creation of the center and its 14 faculty positions. When completed, the center will be housed in Walter Library.
"We have filled nine positions in the center and narrowed our search for a director down to the finalists," said Paul Sorenson, director of communication for the Institute of Technology.
"An Industrial Partnership Program has already been started, and by the end of the year we hope to have part of the center opened," Sorenson said.
The ADC Foundation was founded in 1998 and is responsible for the charitable activities of the Minnesota-based ADC Telecommunications company.
"ADC is a growing company that is interested in developing hometown relationships. With the University in our own back yard it gives us the unique opportunity to advance our company as well as improve our communities," Larson said. "The University is key to the future of the state of Minnesota."
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