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$25,000 Progress Energy Grant to Benefit Undergraduate Engineering Labs at UNC Asheville

August 30, 2010

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The University of North Carolina at Asheville announced today a $25,000 grant from Progress Energy to support the university’s joint engineering programs with N.C. State. The grant will be used to purchase lab equipment needed for engineering courses and undergraduate research.

Some of those using this equipment will be students studying Mechatronics, a concentration of mechanical, electrical and computer engineering. Many other students will also benefit as part of the interdisciplinary perspective that is the foundation of UNC Asheville’s curriculum.

“UNC Asheville students are sophisticated and highly-accomplished. They deserve the challenging and complex learning environment that this equipment will help to provide,” said UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder. “This is a great addition to the engineering labs where our faculty prepare creative graduates who can meet the pressing energy challenges facing society. We are proud that Progress Energy shares our enthusiasm for our programs, and we are grateful for their assistance.”

“We have seen first-hand the tremendous renewable energy projects designed by the senior class at UNC Asheville,” said Martha Thompson, Community Relations and Economic Development manager for Progress Energy. “The equipment purchased with this grant will be used to further advance these projects and stimulate the students to think about energy usage and consumption for our future. Progress Energy is proud to partner with UNC Asheville to continue the long-standing tradition of excellence in education here in Western North Carolina.”