Applied Technology Center Receives Major Contributions
Summer 2002

On Thursday, May 2, Pat Keim, Northwest Government Affairs Director for Burlington Northern Santa Fe presented the first installment of a $100,000 grant from the BNSF Foundation for the Applied Technology Center at MSU-Northern in Havre. During the presentation, Mr. Keim identified the long-time association between his company and MSU-Northern. "Literally thousands of BNSF families have had access to higher education through MSU-Northern. Hundreds of Northern graduates are employed by BNSF. The new Applied Technology Center opens a new chapter of educational opportunity for BNSF employees and their families along the Hi-Line and throughout Montana," Keim stated.

Representative Merlin Wolery, Havre Mayor Bob Rice, Chancellor Alex Capdeville,
Senator Greg Jergeson, Tony Preite, Senator Jon Tester, Paul Tuss,
Representative John Musgrove proudly display the symbolic million dollar check.

As he accepted the check from Keim, Chancellor Alex Capdeville remarked, "We are proud of our long-time relationship with the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) and we are excited about this newest chapter in that partnership."

"We are extremely appreciative of BNSF's generosity as this is a major boost for our program," stated Greg Kegel, Dean of the College of Technical Sciences at MSU-Northern. "BNSF has been a major supporter of MSU-Northern over the years."

In an earlier development, MSU-Northern received a $1 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration on March 14 for the Applied Technology Center. Presenting that award was Tony Preite, regional director of the Economic Development Administration from Denver. According to Mr. Preite, "the Applied Technology Center will assist rural Montana businesses to grow and develop connections with other firms, providing more job and career opportunities for rural Montanans."

The 2001 Montana Legislature appropriated $2 million to build the center and authorized a total project of $5 million. To receive the appropriation, the university must raise at least $2 million from other sources.

The Applied Technology Center will enable MSU-Northern to prepare students and graduates meeting world-class academic and industrial standards. The ATC will showcase proper methodologies related to quality assurance, interdisciplinary teamwork, project management and technology integration.

For several years, MSU-Northern has been fortunate to secure products and services provided by a large number of business partners. Whole units, engines, transmissions, associated computer systems, parts and supplies, and other products have been integrated into a curriculum that prepares quality graduates in technology and business fields. The Applied Technology Center will provide for improved utilization of these assets for the benefit of students enrolled at the University.

"These investments in the Applied Technology Center are good news for communities along the Hi-Line," according to Chancellor Capdeville. "Prospective students are assured that Northern will continue to deliver educational opportunities of exceptional quality and business firms throughout the region will have greater access to business development programs sponsored by the University," he concluded.
  

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