Michigan Technological University was selected to receive the 2024 Jack Donnelly Award for Excellence in Counterintelligence, awarded annually by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA).
The Jack Donnelly Award recognizes companies and institutions that best demonstrate the ability to stop foreign theft of U.S. defense and national security technology. Out of more than 10,000 eligible organizations in the nation, Michigan Tech’s Keweenaw Research Center (KRC) was one of five chosen for the award, which was formally presented at the University’s Board of Trustees meeting on Friday, Oct. 11.
“We appreciate receiving the Donnelly Award for excellence in counterintelligence,” said Michigan Tech President Rick Koubek. “This recognition reiterates our full commitment to national security and research integrity at the highest levels.”
Andrew Barnard, Michigan Tech’s vice president for research, said Michigan Tech places a high priority on protecting the University’s research from malign foreign interests. “This security function is vital to maintaining our national advantage in all areas of science and technology,” said Barnard. “The Donnelly Award recognizes the efforts of our research security professionals for their tireless work in counterintelligence. It also provides our federal and state partners assurance that at Michigan Tech, we will protect both our researchers and their data from foreign intelligence efforts.”
Originally established 71 years ago by the U.S. Army for deep snow mobility testing, the Keweenaw Research Center is now a world-class multidisciplinary research center involved in military, industrial and commercial vehicle applications research activities. The KRC maintains more than 900 acres of proving grounds specifically developed for the evaluation of ground vehicle systems.
Scott Bradley, director of the center, says the KRC has always prided itself on its efforts to protect the activities of its research partners. “Protection of the research being conducted, the data generated, and the researchers themselves requires a collaborative effort and is a fundamental priority,” said Bradley. “The Jack Donnelly Award is further affirmation of our long-standing efforts to protect the security of research conducted at KRC.”
Andrew Lochli, DCSA’s assistant director of counterintelligence and insider threat, presented the award to Michigan Tech. “This award embodies the importance of academic contributions to security advancements,” said Lochli. “MTU is recognized as a leader in risk mitigation and has built counterintelligence-focused culture in implementing processes within their program to detect, deter, mitigate and expeditiously report suspicious contact activities through DCSA and other government agencies. They are so deserving of this award.”
Jack Bergman, retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant general now serving as the U.S. Representative from Michigan's 1st Congressional District, attended the award ceremony, as did Michigan Sen. Ed McBroom and Michigan Rep. Greg Markkanen. All praised the efforts Michigan Tech has made at the forefront of counterintelligence and research security.
"Without integrity, nothing good occurs, and Michigan Tech is the epitome of integrity,” Bergman said. “This recognition reinforces what we already know: Michigan Tech and their Keweenaw Research Center are at the forefront of confronting the multitude of challenges facing our nation. Securing America’s sensitive and classified information is critical to counter our enemies today, and this challenge will only become more acute as technology and the threats evolve.”
“Michigan Tech is remarkable in so many areas,” said McBroom. “This award only further confirms the ascendancy of this excellent institution.”
“People have come to expect an elevated attention to detail and diligence reflected in all of Michigan Tech’s hard work,” said Markkanen. “As a recipient of this prestigious award, Michigan Tech has again delivered.”
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.
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