EAST LANSING, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Michigan State University’s newest academic department has received $500,000 to attract some of the country’s most talented graduate students in biomedical engineering.

Jack and Dottie Withrow of Naples, Fla., who are long-time supporters of the MSU College of Engineering, have established the Withrow Endowed Graduate Fellowship in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

“We are so pleased to support the convergence of traditional engineering and the developing technologies in the college’s new department,” Jack Withrow said. “We’re especially excited to be the first to contribute to its new graduate program. This feels like an opportunity to create a lasting foundation for biomedical engineering grad students now and in the future.”

The $500,000 Withrow gift establishes an endowment that will provide support in perpetuity. It comes on the heels of MSU’s announcement of a $1.5 billion capital campaign. Empower Extraordinary – The Campaign for Michigan State University began Oct. 24.

“This is an incredible start for our new academic department,” Leo Kempel, dean of the College of Engineering, said. “Endowing graduate student fellowships provides the forward momentum that will help to ensure the future success of the Biomedical Engineering Department and propel it forward as an important part of the college’s future.”

Jack Withrow earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at MSU in 1954, and an MBA in 1971. He retired as executive vice president at Chrysler Corp. in 1988, then served as president and chief operating officer at Lectron Products, Inc., from 1989-1995. He received the MSU Distinguished Alumni Award in 1984.

Dottie Withrow earned a bachelor’s degree in speech therapy and elementary education from MSU in 1955 and a master’s degree in teaching from Oakland University. She was a special education teacher in West Bloomfield Schools for many years and published a children’s book that promotes responsible pet care and a second book that teaches children about opera.

Read more on the Withrow gift at: www.egr.msu.edu

About MSU Engineering: The Michigan State University College of Engineering has seven academic departments serving 4,900 undergraduate and more than 800 graduate students through 10 undergraduate and nine graduate degree programs. For more, visit: www.egr.msu.edu