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Issued by: Laura Hunt 414-229-6447 llhunt@uwm.edu Date: Feb. 18, 2002

UWM Announces Major Growth Plan for its College of Engineering and Applied Science

CEAS Dean William Gregory

MILWAUKEE -- Responding to the ever-increasing demand for college graduates in the engineering and computer science fields, administrators at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will unveil an ambitious growth plan for UWM's College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) at an annual banquet on Saturday, Feb. 23.

The announcement will be made at the CEAS Alumni Awards and Scholarship Fund Banquet at the Wyndham Milwaukee Center Hotel, 139 East Kilbourn Ave.

CEAS Dean William Gregory will outline the decade-long plan of investment in the college that is designed to attract top students, scholars and researchers in engineering and computer science to UWM. The plan, which was crafted with input from Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher, calls for:

• Dramatically increasing partnerships, and forging new relationships with industry and other postsecondary educational institutions in eastern Wisconsin.
• Doubling the number of faculty at CEAS by 2008, and hiring six "star" faculty with superior records of extramural research funding by 2006.
• Making an $8 million dollar investment over the next 12 years in classroom laboratory resources, and doubling the research, instructional, student and support space.
• Increasing the college's total student body by 25 percent by 2006, including all degree levels, and expanding student advising programs.
• Establishing the new Engineering Management master's degree program.

"This investment in the college is vital if UWM is to provide graduates to fuel the demand for high-tech and engineering jobs already evident in Southeastern Wisconsin," says Gregory. "This investment will also allow UWM to provide the work force necessary to attract more economic growth to our area."

In the next decade, an investment of $13.5 million will be made in start-up costs for more faculty and researchers, building research infrastructure, and new initiatives in collaboration with industry and other institutions, says Gregory.

Funding will come from reinvestment of CEAS research overhead. Support also is expected to come from regional industries, businesses, and individuals; increases in state funding; and growth in tuition and program revenue over the 10- to 12-year period.

In addition, total extramural research funding is expected to reach $152 million during that time, says Gregory.

Faculty recruitment will focus on eight areas that were chosen to build on CEAS's existing strengths and identify what would be the regional priorities. Although the list is still subject to change, the areas of concentration are projected to include:

• biomechanics and bioengineering
• nanoscale science and engineering
• information technology and data security
• environmental science and engineering
• infrastructure assessment and maintenance (of physical systems, roads and buildings)
• power (energy) engineering
• modeling and simulation
• manufacturing

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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Len Iaquinta at 414-229-3897, email iaquinta@uwm.edu or Dean William Gregory at 414-229-4126, email wgregory@uwm.edu.