Development News From Southwest Indiana

UE, Toyota offer new engineering scholarship
By JOHN MARTIN Courier & Press staff writer, September 13, 2005

Indiana high school seniors interested in engineering studies can apply for a new scholarship through the University of Evansville's new Toyota Scholars program.

Eligible students will be able to receive a minimum of $10,000 annually for four years. The amount may be higher based on the students' qualifications. The scholarship has clear-cut qualifications, UE officials say. "High school students will be able to self-identify for the scholarship," said Tom Bear, vice president for enrollment services. "If they meet the criteria for the award, they will receive it."

To receive the award, students must:
* Apply and be admitted to the UE College of Engineering and Computer Science and be a beginning college student in fall 2006.
* Be an Indiana resident or attend high school in Indiana.
* Make an official campus visit by April 22, 2006.
* Have a high school grade-point average of 3.6 or higher.
* Score a 1730 or higher on the new SAT or 25 or higher on the ACT.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton has hired UE students for jobs and internships and donated money to the university, said Phil Gerhart, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The department offers eight degrees programs: mechanical, electrical, civil and computer engineering, engineering management, computer science, Internet technology and a new master's degree in computer science and engineering.

The program has an enrollment of about 300, and Gerhart said the scholarships will provide boosts in both the quantity and quality of students.

He said the scholarship also will ensure student access to "these very important mentors" at Toyota.

UE has had at least three co-op students at the Princeton plant each semester. They work in areas dealing with engineering, human resources, production, logistics and the environment. Many of the students have gone on to work full time for Toyota.

R.J. Reynolds, vice president of administration and manufacturing planning at the Princeton plant, said access to new engineering talent "is important to Toyota's future in Indiana and to our growing North American operations."

PO Box 20127, Evansville, IN 47708-0127 TEL: 812-423-2020 E-mail: info@swidc.org