BASF Pledges $1 Million to LSU College of Engineering Expansion
January 15, 2014 | LSU Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
GEISMAR & BATON ROUGE, LA –Louisiana State University’s (LSU’s) College of Engineering today announced a $1 million donation from BASF Corporation to establish a sustainable living laboratory, the first of its kind at LSU and in the Southeast region. The lab will promote problem-based teaching and research to develop solutions focused on sustainable development. The project is part of the renovation of Patrick F. Taylor Hall and engineering expansion for the College of Engineering.
“BASF’s contribution to LSU’s College of Engineering further reinforces our commitment to the Louisiana community and our employees, and to putting sustainability into practice,” said Beate Ehle, President Market and Business Development, North America for BASF Corporation. “In support of BASF’s corporate strategy, ‘We Create Chemistry for a sustainable future,’ the sustainable living laboratory will help to find new ways to conserve resources and improve our quality of life.”
BASF has been part of the economic growth in Louisiana by announcing more than $350 million in investment projects since 2009 at the Geismar site.
“The development and investment in the Louisiana workforce is critical to BASF’s long-term success,” said Tom Yura, Senior Vice President and Manager of the BASF site in Geismar, Louisiana. “In addition to BASF’s sustainability efforts, this project is part of our local activities to invest in students and help them be prepared for career opportunities in engineering and science while making a difference in the world today.”
The lab, revolutionary for LSU, will operate under a lab lease concept. Researchers may submit proposals for consideration, which will be evaluated on innovation, relevance and benefits, and community impact. Additionally, the lab will serve as a teaching tool for students and the community to better understand research and implications of environmental stewardship.
“BASF Corporation\'s generous donation strengthens our strategic partnership in sustainable living initiatives,” said LSU President and Chancellor F. King Alexander. “This unique gift positions LSU to be a leader in the U.S. and globally.”
BASF’s contribution will receive the one-to-one state match provided by the State of Louisiana under the agreement between the state and LSU to expand its engineering facilities.
“By investing in the sustainable living lab, BASF is pioneering innovative approaches to enlighten our community on sustainability issues and how to best nourish a growing culture of environmental stewardship,” said Rick Koubek, Dean and Bert S. Turner Chair, College of Engineering. “It is our desire that this laboratory will serve as a catalyst in furthering the sustainability initiatives on LSU’s campus and highlighting the importance of fostering creative problem solving in our communities.”
BASF’s support of LSU also includes a recent $100,000 donation to the LSU Career Center, $25,000 in annual BASF Team Chemistry scholarships to College of Engineering students, and recognition of a Professor of Excellence each semester. In addition, BASF employees who are LSU alumni help mentor and support students through various programs and organizations on campus.
About Louisiana State University’s College of Engineering
Founded in 1908, the LSU College of Engineering offers eleven undergraduate degree programs and confers approximately 650 bachelor’s degrees per year, ranking it in the top 10 percent nationally for graduates. In 2013, it became the largest college in Louisiana and the fifth fastest growing engineering college in the nation. One hundred and thirty five faculty members engage in education, research, and commercialization with a strategic focus on research indigenous to Louisiana: energy and environmental sustainability, and natural and built infrastructure.
BASF - The Chemical Company
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,600 employees in North America, and had sales of $18.5 billion in 2012.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
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For media inquiries please contact:
Jolen Stein Mimi LaValle
BASF Corporation LSU College of Engineering
Tel: 225-339-7476 Tel. 225-578-5706
E-mail: jolen.stein@basf.com E-mail: mlavall@lsu.edu