UPDATE: Gift Gives Identity to UIndy Engineering

(photo courtesy University of Indianapolis)

A $5 million gift is helping to grow a new program at the University of Indianapolis. The R.B. Annis School of Engineering is being named in honor of renowned scientist and inventor Robert Annis. The gift from the educational foundation that bears his name aims to address the growing need for talent in engineering and other STEM fields in the state. Inside INdiana Business will be at an 11 a.m. news conference Tuesday where the university will provide additional details on the gift officials are calling "transformational."

The donation is among the largest in university history. President Robert Manuel says "Mr. Annis understood well the power of interconnectedness and discovery. This gift will fuel the University’s role in preparing generations of engineers who are critical thinkers and innovators, creatively engaged in contributing to our quality of life through an interdisciplinary, human-centered curriculum. We’re thankful to be able to connect the legacy of Mr. Annis and his commitment to scientific exploration with our engineering students while filling a significant need in our local and state-wide economies."

UIndy says the R.B. Annis School of Engineering will specialize in study areas including computer science, industrial and systems engineering, software engineering and mechanical engineering. The university first announced the launch of an engineering program in 2015. It is led by Director José R. Sánchez.

Annis, who was born in 1907 and died in 1999, founded the R.B. Annis Co. in the city in 1928. He was considered a magnetics and instrument balancing expert, providing advice to well-known life sciences companies and serving as an industry and educational mentor along the way.