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Support Our College (CAE)

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Dear Alumni and Friends,

What a fantastic time to be part of the College of Aeronautics and Engineering (CAE) here at Kent State University! Our incoming freshman class joins us with a mean 3.4 GPA, with 60 percent placing in Algebra or Calculus and many bringing college credit hours with them earned while in high school. We look forward to working with our students to tackle the challenges of today’s world.

Dean Bloebaum photo

Despite the recent challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the aviation industry demands pilots, mechanics, technicians and support personnel to effectively move people across the country and the world. The space industry is undergoing a transformation resulting in a new space race, and the demand for qualified engineering technologists and engineers. The emerging area of autonomous transportation systems, including autonomous water, ground, aerial and space vehicles, is leading to new industries in desperate need of a trained workforce. The need for sustainable and alternative energy systems across the globe is leading to demands for people trained to understand complex environmental, societal, ethical and engineering interactions. Engineering design and manufacturing companies across the globe are competing for engineers and technologists who are out-of-the-box thinkers with hands-on training and understanding.

CAE is producing these agents of change. The cutting-edge research of our faculty, the state-of-the-art facilities, the academic programs designed to address the critical needs of our changing world, the host of undergraduate and graduate students with a passion to change that world - these are the things that make us distinctive. We embrace the future and aim to be the ones to make it all it can be.

Whether you are an alumnus looking to come back home or a partner wanting to aid us in our mission through philanthropy, we invite you to be a part of something big.

Sincerely,

Christina L. Bloebaum, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Aeronautics and Engineering

Support the College

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In order to prepare our students for the 21st century with the knowledge, skills and dispositions to be professionals and leaders in the aviation and engineering industries, the College of Aeronautics and Engineering is focusing on these key priorities:

  • Expanding Engineering Facilities at the Aeronautics and Engineering Building – A significant area of growth for the college, engineering programs at CAE have experienced a 28 percent enrollment increase in both incoming undergraduate classes and graduate students. In order to meet this critical need, private support is required to create an addition to the existing on-campus building which will include room for a large 100-student lecture hall, a simulation lab for computer engineering and cyber security students, research and teaching labs and offices.
  • New Maintenance Hangar and Repair Station at the Kent State University Airport – In addition to a pilot shortage, the aviation industry is also experiencing a critical aircraft mechanic shortage. A new facility at the KSU Airport will not only allow for mechanical maintenance training but will also provide maintenance for the university’s own fleet, as well as repairs for private aircraft. A new four-year Aviation Maintenance Management program will also be created and new undergraduate and graduate academic options will be available at the facility as well. The Maintenance and Repair Station will include a large new lab area and classrooms.
  • Scholarship Support – Several areas of need exist for scholarships in engineering technology, industrial technology and flight training, with an emphasis on increasing the number of women who choose these majors. Private support is required to help us admit, train and graduate more students to fill the void of trained workers.
  • Providing Ongoing Faculty and Program Support – The college has pledged to increase the number of named, endowed chairs available in our programs, as well as named faculty positions. Our development fund serves both tenured and non-tenured faculty in expanding their professional development opportunities. There is also a need for support of student clubs to cover travel costs and supplies to offer real-world experiences to our students.

Support the College

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The College of Aeronautics and Engineering produces graduates in a variety of degrees that are poised to serve as leaders in a number of fields, ranging from Air Traffic Control and Professional Pilot to Mechatronics Engineering, Foundry Technology and Computer Engineering Technology.

To support specific programs and areas of study, please see areas of funding below:

Aeronautics and Flight Training Funds

  • Aeronautics Programs Fund - Whether soaring into the sky personally or operating unmanned aerial vehicles and systems from the ground, our students are taking flight. This fund is unrestricted and will support needs that surface in any bachelor of science in aeronautics program.
  • Aviation Scholarship Fund - Provides scholarships to full-time students who are actively pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautics in any of the five area concentrations accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI). Concentrations include aeronautical studies, air traffic control, aviation management, professional pilot and unmanned aircraft systems flight operations.  
  • Kent State University Precision Flight Team - Accuracy. Attention. Rigor. All words that accurately represent the College of Aeronautics and Engineering’s Precision Flight Team. This fund directly supports the Precision Flight Team with operational expenses, scholarships, competition entry fees and maintenance costs.  

Engineering Funds

  • Engineering Programs Fund - Fusing right and left brain thinking, students in our engineering and engineering technology programs are inventing the future by reimagining the past. This fund is unrestricted and will support needs that surface in any engineering or engineering technology bachelor of science program. 
  • Engineering Camp for Girls - Interest in STEM starts at a young age. Girls Geared for Engineering is a week-long summer camp experience for middle-school aged girls. During this time, they learn foundational principles of engineering and begin to explore career opportunities. These funds will support the registration fee and supplies needed throughout the week. 

Applied Engineering, Foundry Technology Funds

  • Martin Johnsen Memorial Scholarship - What began as the Industrial Arts Club eventually gave way to Professor Martin O. Johnsen’s journey to creating the Foundry program at Kent State University. This scholarship will be awarded to full-time Kent State University students who are actively pursuing a bachelors of science degree with a concentration in Foundry Technology. 

Dean’s Development Funds 

  • Dean’s Academic and Advancement Fund - Our college is growing - both in enrollment and square footage. These funds will allow additional support of students, programs, faculty and staff of the College of Aeronautics and Engineering. By contributing to this fund, the Dean will have the ability to support and supplement the needs of our community.
  • Dean's Activity Fund - Life is a series of unexpected events - both good and bad. It is important to the Dean that major life events for faculty and staff can be supported. This fund directly supports and recognizes major life events, as well as the college’s gatherings not deemed business-related by Kent State University. 

Select any of the links below to learn more about the most common options for giving to Kent State University:

Cash, Checks, Credit Card, PayPal

The easiest way to donate; contributions can be sent via check to the Kent State Foundation office, or you can make a credit card donation online.

Securities

The Kent State Foundation accepts appreciated securities, which may offer a larger tax benefit than a cash gift.

Real Estate

Gifts of long-term, appreciated real estate usually offer an immediate tax benefit.

Gift Planning

Bequests present a way to leave a legacy after your lifetime. You may also establish a trust or annuity that can provide income to you or a loved one while benefiting the university. Our advisers can help you determine the best options.

Payroll Deduction

Employees of Kent State University can make their contributions through automatic deductions from their paychecks.

Employer Matching Program

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions or volunteer hours made by their employees. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please enter your employer's name below.

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