May 2, 2006

Progress Energy Invests $1.2 Million in College of Engineering

Chancellor Oblinger (left) and Dean Masnari (far right) accept a check for $1.2 million from Progress Energy representatives Robert McGehee and Fred Day. The funds will support three endowments in the College of Engineering. (Photo: Becky Kirkland)

The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University has received $1.2 million from Progress Energy to support initiatives within the college. The gift was announced at the Engineering Building II dedication ceremony April 28, 2006.

“At NC State, we take great pride in building relationships and partnerships across a broad spectrum of North Carolinians, including the business community,” said Chancellor James L. Oblinger. “Progress Energy’s continuing support of NC State reflects a shared commitment to support for the state’s economic development and the value of higher education. We appreciate Progress Energy’s partnership and confidence in NC State.”

Part of Achieve! The Campaign for NC State, the gift is the largest given by Progress Energy to the college and will support three endowments. Two of the endowments will be dedicated to professorships, a top priority of the NC State Achieve! campaign. Progress Energy is a Fortune 250 diversified energy company with more than 24,500 megawatts of generation capacity and approximately 3 million customers in the Carolinas and Florida.

“Progress Energy is proud to support North Carolina State University's College of Engineering with this gift," said Bob McGehee, chairman and CEO of Progress Energy. "NC State is educating the employees of tomorrow who will develop new technologies and environmental innovations to power the future. It is important we make investments today that will educate and grow the future workforce.”

“The College of Engineering is honored to receive such a generous gift from Progress Energy,” said Dr. Nino A. Masnari, dean of the College of Engineering. “We are grateful for their many decades of support and their continued interest in engineering education at NC State. This gift will benefit the university and its students for years to come.”

In recognition of the generous support Progress Energy and their employees have provided to the College of Engineering, the bridge, terrace and conference rooms in Engineering Building II will bear the name, “Progress Energy Bridge and Conference Center.” Located on the third floor of the new Engineering Building II, the area includes two large conference rooms, a brick terrace and the bridge that connects the two wings of the building.

“Progress Energy is a long-standing and valued corporate partner of the College of Engineering and NC State with a strong recruitment relationship and a focus on the areas of research and K-12 engineering outreach,” said Ben Hughes, executive director of the NC State Engineering Foundation Inc.

— weston —

Media contact:
Jennifer Weston, (919) 515-3848, weston@ncsu.edu

Technical contact:
Ben Hughes, (919) 515-7458, ben_hughes@ncsu.edu

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