Huschka family invests in professional academy, enhances alumni experience.
By engaging with their alma mater through philanthropy and volunteer efforts, alumni of all ages can make a difference for the next generation.
That’s the message Bryce Huschka ’07 hopes to spread to his fellow industrial and manufacturing systems engineering (IMSE) graduates. As vice chair of the department’s advisory council, Huschka is quick to point out that their group is on a mission to make it easier for alumni to support the department.
Alumni support is more critical now than ever as the department embarks on an ambitious mission to rethink education. The proposed shift requires the entire community — students, faculty and alumni — to share in the mission to produce strong student identities.
“It can’t be just about churning out grades and a diploma anymore,” Huschka said. “The focus has to be on producing students resolute in their identities and ready to engage in solving increasingly complex industry problems.”
The first step is for alumni to simply join the conversation through the new IMSE Professional Academy, according to Huschka, who kick-started the effort with gifts from himself, his brothers Kyle ’09 and Andrew ’11 and ExxonMobil’s employee matching gift program.
Through the IMSE Innovations Fund and alumni engagement, the department hopes to emphasize student-centric preparation for the workforce and hands-on learning in modern laboratories.
“Alumni can give to ideas that support the department transformation, back it up with their expertise and have more transparency around the results,” Huschka said.
“I cannot overstate the value of alumni who are willing to enhance our student experience with their knowledge, experience and resources,” said Brad Kramer, head of IMSE. “By engaging and investing in this department, they are truly driving our future success.”
Click here to make a secure online gift to the IMSE Innovations Fund, or read more about how your gift can support the College of Engineering and advance the Innovation and Inspiration Campaign.
