Mechanical engineering industry advisory council exceeds fundraising goals

The Industry Advisory Council (IAC) for the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University has once again exceeded its fundraising goal to help support the department now and into the future.

The council is made up of more than 40 members, all of whom are graduates from the department, and led by chair Brenda Hightower ’81. The group is dedicated to helping further the objectives of the mechanical engineering department.

“We want to make a lasting mark that will support future growth,” Hightower said. “We have an endowed student scholarship and our next goal will be establishing an endowed faculty fund. Our current plan is a combination of putting funds away to build future endowments while also supporting current needs. As contributions grow, it allows us to put those things into place faster.” 

Treasurer David Pierpoline ’81, said the most recent fundraising campaign exceeded its $60,000 goal by roughly $5,000. The Texas A&M Foundation manages the funds raised by the IAC.

In 2016, the IAC established the contributions-based Mechanical Engineering Advancement Fund, designed to provide direct support to faculty, students and the department as a whole.

Ultimately, the council’s goal through its fundraising efforts is to help grow the Advancement Fund into a substantial source of both current and endowed resources for the department to draw upon for the benefit of faculty and students.

“The IAC is a passionate group of former students who are interested in supporting and continually improving the department, faculty and students,” Pierpoline said. “This year was the first time we’ve gotten former students who are not on the IAC contributing. It’s a good start.”

As the group moves forward, it is looking to expand its impact by drawing in more support and involvement from younger former students.

“My goal for the next couple years as I lead the council is to broaden awareness about the Advancement Fund to others outside of the council members to contribute,” Hightower said. "We want the former mechanical engineering students to become aware of the amazing and exciting things going on in the department and, hopefully, want to be more involved."

In addition to its work raising funds for the department, the IAC also organized receptions in Houston and San Antonio with Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering M. Katherine Banks and mechanical engineering Department Head Dr. Andreas Polycarpou to connect with former students; provided support in the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology recognition process; provided sponsorship for capstone design projects; volunteered presentations at senior seminar classes and student organization meetings; and acted as a sounding board for the department head and faculty by providing an industry perspective and suggesting program renewal activities.