Grundfos Donates $20,000 to University of Kansas Mechanical Engineering

As a global leader in advanced pump solutions and a trendsetter in water technology, Grundfos has presented the University of Kansas School of Engineering with a $20,000 grant to benefit the mechanical engineering program.

The gift will support senior design projects in mechanical engineering that concentrate on environmental and sustainability issues.Denmark-based Grundfos has North American headquarters in Olathe, Kan., where KU alumnus Greg Towsleyis director of regulatory and technical affairs. Towsley has maintained close ties to KU and currently chairs the mechanical engineering advisory board.Towsley said that because Grundfos focuses on sustainability in buildings regarding energy and water efficiency, it was important that the gift support projects in these areas, such as those accomplished through KU EcoHawks. Students apply mechanical engineering techniques to solve real-world problems, taking energy, environment, economics and ethics into account.“We thought EcoHawks would be a good place to utilize this donation,” said Towsley. “By being involved in the school, I have been able to see the importance of a mechanical engineering education, the senior projects, and interdisciplinary cooperation.”Ron Dougherty, department chair, expressed appreciation. “I feel very strongly about how great it is that Grundfos has developed a multi-faceted partnership with the School by significant involvement and funding pump research and sustainability-type projects, and now an endowed fund,” said Dougherty. “This gift is unique from the vision of the company’s supportiveness. It’s obvious they want to promote growth in sustainability and alternative energy sources, as well as enhancing student education.”Grundfos’ grant to the University of Kansasis a small part of the company’s commitment to sustainability and community partnerships. Most recently, Grundfos raised $47,000 to build innovative water systemsin the developing world and $70,000 to benefit the learning disabled at Camp Riley.For more information, visit the website at www.grundfos.us.