Purdue News

March 13, 1998 Engineering alum endows new distinguished professorship WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- A Purdue University alumnus has given the School of Mechanical Engineering a $3 million endowment to establish a new distinguished professorship. Donald W. Feddersen, a general partner of Charles River Ventures, Boston, will be honored at a ceremony Friday, March 20, for his gift to the school. Purdue President Steven C. Beering is expected to speak at the 2 p.m. ceremony in Room 256 of the Mechanical Engineering Building, where a plaque will be unveiled. Feddersen's gift is the largest the school has received for an endowed professorship. The individual who holds the Feddersen Distinguished Professorship in Mechanical Engineering will conduct research at the interface between mechanical engineering and information technologies. A search committee for the position has been established. "Don Feddersen's entrepreneurial vision has contributed to the commercial success of many information technologies," said Frank Incropera, professor and head of the School of Mechanical Engineering. "Once named, the Feddersen Professor will significantly strengthen the school's education and research programs in this important field." Feddersen earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue in 1956 and was a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force from 1957 to 1960. His early career involved developing data processing systems in the fledgling information technologies industry. Recognizing the great potential for using computers in design and manufacturing, he pioneered the development of the first generation of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing tools. From 1973 to 1977 Feddersen was president and CEO of Entrex, Inc., where he built sales from $6 million to $55 million. As president and CEO of Applicon, Inc., a leading supplier of computer-aided design equipment, from 1978 to 1984, Feddersen increased annual sales from $18 million to $125 million. In 1984 he became a general partner in Charles River Ventures, which specializes in venture capital for high technology companies. CONTACT: Shari Rodriguez, School of Mechanical Engineering, (765) 494-9769. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page