Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering Announces Challenge Grant

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	May 20, 2008 Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering Announces Challenge Grant John (ME '65) and Connie Nielsen have offered a challenge grant to help realize Learn-by-Doing projects and dreams. The motto of Mechanical Engineering is: “If a student can dream it, we can build it.” This approach has fueled winning teams, such as the Human-Powered Vehicle, Supermileage, Formula SAE, and many more. The John & Connie Nielsen Student Projects - Lab Upgrade Challenge Fund will complete machine and wood shops in the Bonderson Projects Center on the Cal Poly campus, where students design and build their award-winning projects. The Nielsens have committed up to $230,000 as a challenge to fellow alumni and friends, matching all unrestricted gifts to Mechanical Engineering one to one. The challenge grant will provide funds for mechanical engineering and college labs that support more than 30 majors and 500 students per quarter. The funds will also provide more technician support, extending the hours and service to students in the labs, machine shops, wood shop, rapid prototyping, and much more. For more information or to make a gift, contact Joe Donahoo, assistant dean for engineering at jdonahoo@calpoly.edu or 805-756-6870.	Frank E. "Bud" Pilling Mechanical Engineering 1950 “My Cal Poly education was a major factor in my career movement.” I made a fairly substantial contribution to Cal Poly for one good reason. I believe we need to give something back to the school that helps us. I hope my gift might set an example for others to give something back to the institution that helped them become successful.