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Toyota gives $100,000 to Business and
Engineering Center

Shaun Koyama, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc., (TMMI) presented a gift of $100,000 to the University of Southern Indiana on January 23, 2008 in support of the instructional facilities for the soon-to-be constructed Business and Engineering Center. He made the presentation before an economics class which had been studying concepts used in the company.

“I’m proud to present this gift to the University of Southern Indiana so students benefit from the contribution,” Koyama said.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. presentated $100,000.00 to USI in support of the new Business and Engineering Center. From left, Linda Bennett, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; Mohammed Khayum, dean of the College of Business; Rob Parrent, vice president of Student Affairs; Scott Gordon, dean of the Pott College of Science and Engineering; Connie Wellmeyer, assistant general manager, Toyota corporate Services. Wellmeyer graduated from USI in 1984.

USI President H. Ray Hoops accepted the generous gift saying, “USI’s College of Business and Department of Engineering are partners in providing economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship for the region. Of the 8,000 College of Business graduates, more than 5,000 reside within a 50-mile radius of Evansville. These USI alumni comprise a significant portion of the tri-state’s managerial talent, and they enhance the southern Indiana communities where they live and work. We expect a similar impact from the engineering program, which graduated its second class in May 2007.

“Toyota’s investment in the USI Business and Engineering Center will assist the University as it continues to produce qualified graduates with skills required in the contemporary workplace.

“The University is grateful to Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana for our close association since TMMI came to southern Indiana. Thank you for visiting our campus today and thank you for this generous gift.”

What the gift will fund will be determined at a future time.

Other Toyota representatives at the presentation included R. J. Reynolds, Toyota vice president of Administration at the Princeton, Indiana plant; Laura Heck, Public Affairs specialist, and Connie Wellmeyer, assistant general manager, Corporate Services.

The Business and Engineering Center will serve both business and engineering programs interdependently, providing both dedicated and shared classroom and laboratory space. The majority of the funding of the $31.9 million building was approved by the 2007 General Assembly with $2 million supplemental support raised by business and private contributions.

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