Opening Doors: $70 million for biotech
Gates Foundation gives bioengineering/genomics $70 million boost
- Concept photo of new facility
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has given the University of Washington a $70 million gift that solidifies the university’s position as an emerging world leader in biotechnology and genomics research.
The gift, by far the largest single private donation ever to a higher education institution in the Pacific Northwest, ensures the construction of a new, critically needed $150 million building that will be shared by the departments of bioengineering and genome sciences.
The new building will house offices and laboratory facilities designed to serve the needs of a rapidly changing research discipline. The building will include a mix of biomedical research laboratories with associated support facilities.
“Our bioengineering faculty are currently located at multiple sites across campus, and this will enhance the department’s effectiveness by providing a central location where researchers both in bioengineering and genome sciences can collaborate,” said Denice Denton, dean of engineering. “That’s critical for science at this level, which by its very nature crosses disciplinary boundaries.”
Construction of the building is scheduled to begin in August and is expected to open in phases beginning in the fall of 2005. The building was designed by Anshen + Allen of Los Angeles. The general contractor and construction manager is Hoffman Construction. Additional funding for the building includes $12 million from the federal government, $10 million from the Whitaker Foundation, and gifts from other private sources.
Whidbey grad, UW alum gives $1 million to send budding engineers to college
- Frank and Barbara Robinson
The founder and president of the company that makes the world’s top-selling civilian helicopter has given $1 million to help promising engineering students from Whidbey Island attend the University of Washington.
Frank Robinson and his wife, Barbara, have established the Frank and Barbara Robinson Endowed Engineering Scholarship, which will provide full-tuition scholarships to students from South Whidbey, Coupeville and Oak Harbor high schools interested in pursuing a degree in engineering. Whidbey Island is about 25 miles northwest of Seattle.
For Frank Robinson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the UW in 1957, the motivation for the gift stems from concern about the need for more scientists and engineers as well as a vivid recollection of his personal struggle to get a college education.
Robinson graduated from Langley High School – now South Whidbey High – in 1948, but his family didn’t have the means to send him to college. He went anyway, juggling physics and calculus with side jobs to support himself, including a stint with the U.S. Merchant Marine. As a result, he had to take lengthy breaks from his studies to go to sea.
“That was a long, hard deal – it took me nine years to get my engineering degree,” he said. “I thought that it sure would be nice if kids from families who can’t afford it could go to school and not be burdened with that. Tuition is pretty high nowadays, and I wanted to see kids from rural areas like Whidbey Island get their shot, too.”
The scholarships will be awarded based on applicants’ financial need as well as math SAT scores and their high school academic record. Support will extend for two years, with preference being given to the freshman and sophomore years. Recipients who have made good progress toward an engineering degree can qualify for an additional two years of support.
In addition to full tuition, the scholarships may provide money for books, fees and other expenses.
This is the second scholarship that Robinson has established for Whidbey Island students. In 1998, he gave $1 million to set up the Frank “Muxie” Robinson Endowed Scholarship for graduates of his alma mater. That scholarship was also primarily based on financial need, but was not limited to engineering-oriented students. The new scholarship, he said, is a logical follow-up.
“Our state and this country need more engineers who will contribute to our industry and our technology and make us more competitive,” he said. “I want to promote that. The UW has a good engineering school, and that should be an option for these students.”
Denice Denton, dean of the UW College of Engineering, agreed.
“There is a critical need for engineers, and as it becomes more costly to educate our students and tuition goes up, it becomes more difficult for students in Washington to go through four years at the UW – it’s just not affordable to everyone,” Denton said. “To have an alum who feels so good about his experience here that he’s willing to step up and help others is wonderful. We are thrilled to be able to bring some students to the UW who are academically capable, but otherwise would not have the opportunity to attend.”
Robinson founded Robinson Helicopter Co. in 1973. Based in Torrance, Calif., the company employs 600 people and has sales that exceed $100 million annually. Robinson Helicopter also builds the world’s top-selling civilian helicopter, the four-seat R-44. The Robinsons maintain a summer home on Whidbey Island, at Mutiny Bay, and spend several months there each year.