Officials from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Nucor Corporation have announced the first $1 million gift of 2008. Nucor's gift will be used to create the Nucor Endowed Professorship for Metallurgical and Steelmaking Technologies in the materials and metallurgical engineering department at the School of Mines. The School of Mines plans to have the endowed professorship in place for the start of the 2008-2009 academic year.
"The Nucor gift will help transform our program in a very positive manner, much the same way Nucor has helped to transform the steel industry," Dr. Jon Kellar, chair of the materials and metallurgical department, said. "We are proud to be teammates with Nucor."
The new professorship will provide critical support for steelmaking research and ensure the continuation of higher education in the field. Funds will also be used to support graduate and undergraduate students working with the named faculty, support travel, dues, professional enrichment and other necessary research and teaching expenditures.
"On behalf of the entire university, I would like to thank Nucor for its generous gift," Dr. Charles Ruch, School of Mines president, said. "We are fortunate to have a visionary partner such as Nucor to help support our mission to develop engineers and scientists that help our industries evolve and our nation respond to the unprecedented challenges facing today's world."
Nucor and affiliates are manufacturers of steel products, with operating facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Products produced include carbon and alloy steel -- in bars, beams, sheet, and plate; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold-finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; light gauge steel framing; steel grating and expanded metal; and wire and wire mesh. Nucor is North America's largest recycler.
A formal check presentation will be scheduled for a future date.
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