Impact
A living laboratory, museum, and more than 5,000-acre classroom complete with full-service conference facilities, the Ford Center and Forest plays a major role in School teaching, research, and outreach. One of Michigan Tech's most extraordinary resources, the nationally designated Model Forest receives minimal state funding and is classified as an auxiliary unit of the University. Operations and maintenance funds are partially generated from timber sales, but those have declined in the past eight years. Meanwhile, the need for renovations—the property was originally developed in the late 1930s—grows.
In a setting so deeply rooted in the past, the School creates a future of new learning experiences. There's "Camp," the semester-long field practicum. The annual sap boil. Ongoing demonstration projects, cutting trials, research plots, and miles of recreation trails open to all. Help us maintain and improve this one-of-a-kind community: a source of Husky Pride, School tradition, and excellence in environmental education.
Our Goals
Paver Project
Thanks to generous support from alumni, CFRES is expanding the main classroom at the Ford Center to accommodate our growing student population, scheduled to be completed in spring 2024. Adjoining this new addition will be a large outdoor patio made of pavers, with a limited number available for purchase. All proceeds from this paver fundraiser will be used to support the Ford Center's mission to educate the next generation of natural resource professionals. As alumni and friends of CFRES, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave your mark at Michigan Tech and support the Ford Center's education mission. Consider what the Ford Center means to you and how your time there shaped your future professional and personal life.
Donation Funds
Help us remodel parts of the Ford Center. Our current priorities include remodeling rooms to make them more comfortable for students, updating furniture, installing new doors, windows, and roofs, as well as updating climate control and other utilities in the Student Dorms, the Recreation Room, and Classroom 1.
Naming Opportunities
The buildings above as well as other buildings could be named for, and this sponsorship would cover refurbishment, upgrading building energy efficiency, and remodeling, all while maintaining the original character of the building. These buildings are currently unnamed and have the opportunity to be named by large donors. Contact the Dean if you are interested.
Current Project
We are currently working on expanding the main conference room.
Retired Lt. Col Stephen Danis '53 has made a significant donation towards the expansion of the classroom at the Ford Center in Alberta. He is a Michigan Tech 1953 Forestry and Army ROTC alumni, and was a member of the Kappa Delta Psi fraternity. Steve spent his career in the U.S. Army, traveling abroad, and later led ROTC programs. Colonel Danis is a Copper Country native, active in local veterans groups and schools, and is enjoying retirement at his home in the Traprock Valley.
Steve has provided generous support to Michigan Tech over the years, and has established scholarships in both CRFES and Army ROTC, with a focus on students from the local area. With the "Steve Danis Conference Room" expansion construction now well under way, Steve is pleased and takes pride in seeing the physical results of his latest gift.
Tax Advantages
Gifts to Michigan Tech are deductible on your federal tax return. Consult your tax advisor.