VINCENNES, Ind. - Five proposals have been awarded Thomas W. Wathen Technology Fund grants, as announced by the Vincennes University Foundation. Now in its 12th year, the grant program has provided VU departments 60 grants totaling more than $650,000 for innovative projects that positively impact VU students and programs.

“Innovative teaching techniques supported by the latest technology are key components of Vincennes University’s highly regarded focused, quality education,” said Kristi Deetz, interim director of the VU Foundation. “Each year Mr. Wathen’s vision creates leading-edge learning environments for our students.”

The fund was created during the University’s Third Century of Excellence capital campaign by Thomas W. Wathen, a Vincennes native and 1949 VU graduate. The $1 million gift that established the endowment fund was made to assist VU in advancing its educational mission by addressing the technology challenges of the future, and the annual income from his gift is used to award the grants.

The purpose of the Wathen Technology Fund is to encourage faculty and staff to research, analyze, and propose creative classroom technology projects that will have a significant impact on the way the University delivers the educational process to students. The goal is to keep VU at the forefront of higher education as it grows and changes to meet the developing needs of businesses and employers.

Proposals selected for implementation include: VU Campus Connect IoT Initiative for Homeland Security, Networking, Information Technology, Cyber Security, $16,162, submitted by Jaci Lederman, Greg Hirsch, Paul Vonderwell, Lou Caprino, Rick Whitson; Vernier LabQuest2/MacGill Supplies for Biology, $13,000, submitted by Ali Benamar; Physics I - Inquiry Based Studio for Engineering, $8,518, submitted by Jared Burde; ASL: Learning Glass for ASL and Deaf Studies, $18,000, submitted by Dr. Cynthia Sanders; and Advanced Digital Multimeter Training for the Aviation Technology Center, $8793.75, submitted by Mike Gehrich.

ABOUT THE VU FOUNDATION

In advancing the University’s missions of higher education and community service, the VU Foundation, through the generosity of its donors, administers endorsements and contributions established by corporate and individual gifts, as designated. During the 2018-19 school year, the Foundation will have offered or awarded more than $2 million dollars in scholarships. Additional information is available by contacting the VU Foundation at 812-888-4510, or online at vinu.edu/foundation.

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