Michigan Tech’s Department of Chemical Engineering, along with representatives of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, dedicated a new space for students in the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building on Friday, September 27. The CITGO Senior Design Studio will give students a facility with state-of-the-art computing technology to collaborate and work on projects.
The CITGO-Michigan Tech partnership came about through Carlos Jordá, CEO and president of CITGO, who is a 1971 chemical engineering graduate of Michigan Tech.
CITGO representatives Phil Pribnow, Lemont GM of Engineering and Business Services, and Brett Wiltshire, Lemont Manager of Human Resources, were present for the ribbon cutting of the new facility. Also present was Professor Emeritus Bruce Barna '70, who was a long-time instructor and mentor for students in senior design.
“We believe education is an important component of our community,” said Pribnow during the event. “That’s why we’re proud to make this donation to support Michigan Tech and improve our partnership.”
Opened earlier this fall, the new CITGO Senior Design Studio is already a popular spot for students to use. Dozens of students attended the ribbon cutting along with members of the Chemical Engineering External Advisory Board.
“We’ve had very good support from CITGO,” said Michael Mullins, chair of the chemical engineering department. “They recruit here heavily and have invested in our facilities with this new senior design studio.
“It’s important for us to continue to connect with our alumni base to make the improvements that will keep our program special.”
Funds contributed by CITGO for the project counted towards a $2 million matching grant from The Herbert H. and Grace A. (HHGA) Dow Foundation for renovations to the Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building (Chem Sci). The CITGO Senior Design Studio is located in Chem Sci B006.
CITGO Senior Design Studio Plaque
In honor and recognition of Carlos E. Jordá class of 1971.
Education paves the way for many achievements. Providing a special space for thinking, collaborating, designing, and solving problems is our way of helping students achieve their goals, one project, one class, one diploma at a time.
Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
