4 UTSAV GANDHI campus@technewsiit.com TechNews | Tuesday, Apri123, 2013 $20,000 challenge to ”T students Bhavna Hosakere TECHNEWS WRITER This February, at the public launch of Fueling Innovation: The Campaign for HT, Board of Trustees member Alan “Bud” Wendorf (ME ’71) issued a challenge to the Student Gift Committee to get at least 45 percent of the 2013 undergraduate class to participate in this year’s Student Gift Campaign, with a minimum gift equal to the cost of the cheapest siX—pack of beer around campus, and he would make a contribution of $20,000 to the Student Gift project. Last week, I had the privilege of sitting down with Wendorf to learn about his time at HT, his involvement in the Fueling Innovation campaign, and his reasons for issuing this challenge to the Student Gift Committee. A Milwaukee native, Wendorf, decided to attend HT after learning about it through his high school counselor. Some of his favorite memories are from his coursework with thermodynamics professor, Dr. Roland A. Budenholzer, a well— established eXpert in the industry. Joining Pi Kappa Phi fraternity helped him feel at home on campus. Looking back, Wendorf recognizes that his network of friends and the experiences he had through different activities at Pi Kappa Phi formed a valuable foundation for all his successes. Wendorf is chairman, president, and CEO of Sargent & Lundy, a company that provides engineering, construction management, and consulting services to the global power industry. He is serving as the campaign co—chair for Fueling Innovation and starting this fall, will be serving as the chairman of the IIT Board of Trustees. The time Wendorf spends with students on campus inspires him. He recognizes that the time and energy he puts in, is an investment in the future of the university. “So many of our global challenges require new and innovative solutions” he said. T“here is a critical need for graduates with STEM skills. The Fueling Innovation campaign will allow for increased enrollment and will position IIT to meet this growing demand.” It is this passion for the training IIT provides in the STEM fields that keeps Wendorf involved at the university and giving. Wendorf did not initially plan to issue a challenge to the 2013 Student Gift Committee. Being a competitive person, he felt that a serious challenge would inspire the committee to set ambitious goals. And we are thrilled to be working hard to successfully meet his challenge! Wendorf recognizes the importance of giving back to his alma mater and stressed the need for it. “It is important for all of us who are fortunate enough to experience going to college that we give back and help as many talented and accomplished students as we can. You can give back when you graduate or 30 years from now. But make it a habit, pay it forward. This is why this challenge is so important.” The 2013 Student Gift campaign has an overall goal of 425 student donors, in addition to the 45 percent participation rate for Wendorf’s challenge. As a measure of their faith in us, the Alumni Association Board of Directors has contributed more than $6,000 to this campaign. In past years, contributions to the Student Gift Campaign have helped refurbish the enclosure space in the MTCC, assisted in completing the reserve tethook collection at the Paul V. Galvin Library, and provided seven new water fountains for academic buildings on campus. This year, the committee is working to provide new modular furniture for the Galvin Library. This furniture will provide additional student—friendly worksp aces that will en courage students to interact and collaborate. But we are far from done. We need your help! Please join us as we race to meet and exceed all our goals for the Student Gift campaign. Your gift is very important. Photo courtesy of Bud Wendorf Visit alumni.iit.edu/2013gift to make your contribution and help fund this year’s project. Thank you. yf ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Office of Campus Life Student Organizations— All paperwork for the Spring 2013 semester is due to the Office of Campus Life by Monday, May 13, at 9:00 am! Any paperwork not turned in by that time may not be paid for! Will your student group be around during Orientation sessions? If so, come talk to new students in The Bog! Sign up here: http://tinyurl.com/d99dzuj (You’ll need to be registered for Hakaink) The Student Involvement Festival is coming soon! Register your group to participate here: http://tinyur|.com/cob85qp The Festival will be on Friday, August 16, from 11:00 am—1:00 pm. Only registered student organizations may participate! .— Register your student group now! Visit iit.co|legiate|ink.net to complete the registration process and see other student groups! campus.life@iit.edu 312-567-3720 The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. Robert Swan (the first person to walk to both Poles) ENERGY+ SUSTAINABILITY