The gift will support senior design projects in mechanical engineering that concentrate on environmental and sustainability issues.

Denmark-based Grundfos has North American headquarters in Olathe, Kan., where KU alumnus Greg Towsley is director of regulatory and technical affairs. Towsley has maintained close ties to KU and currently chairs the mechanical engineering advisory board.

Towsley said that because Grundfos focuses on sustainability in buildings regarding energy and water efficiency, it was important that the gift support projects in these areas, such as those accomplished through KU EcoHawks. Students apply mechanical engineering techniques to solve real-world problems, taking energy, environment, economics and ethics into account.

“We thought EcoHawks would be a good place to utilize this donation,” said Towsley. “By being involved in the school, I have been able to see the importance of a mechanical engineering education, the senior projects, and interdisciplinary cooperation.”

Ron Dougherty, department chair, expressed appreciation. “I feel very strongly about how great it is that Grundfos has developed a multi-faceted partnership with the School by significant involvement and funding pump research and sustainability-type projects, and now an endowed fund,” said Dougherty. “This gift is unique from the vision of the company’s supportiveness. It’s obvious they want to promote growth in sustainability and alternative energy sources, as well as enhancing student education.”

Grundfos’ grant to the University of Kansas is a small part of the company’s commitment to sustainability and community partnerships. Most recently, Grundfos raised $47,000 to build innovative water systems in the developing world and $70,000 to benefit the learning disabled at Camp Riley.

For more information, visit the website at www.grundfos.us

ABOUT GRUNDFOS:

With an annual production of more than 17 million pump units, Grundfos is the world’s leading pump manufacturer, specializing in circulator pumps for heating and air conditioning as well as other centrifugal pumps for industrial applications, water supply, sewage and dosing. In addition to pumps, Grundfos produces standard and submersible motors as well as state-of-the-art electronics for monitoring and controlling pumps.

High on Grundfos’ corporate agenda is an aim to be active in improving the environment, both in terms of the changing world around us, but also the company’s own footprint. We contribute to global sustainability pioneering technologies that improve quality of life for people and care for the planet. For more information, visit www.grundfos.us, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.