November 27, 2007

Rolls-Royce becomes book buddies with Science Bound students

The Science Bound Book Fund was announced Tuesday (Nov. 27) during a luncheon in honor of Purdue President Emeritus Martin C. Jischke. The luncheon took place in the Rolls-Royce/UAW Training Center Auditorium, 2605 West Raymond St., Indianapolis.

"During his tenure, Martin Jischke shared many of the same goals and objectives with Rolls-Royce when it came to developing a highly skilled work force to support Indiana industries," said Al Novick, Rolls-Royce vice president of marketing intelligence. "President Jischke has been a driver in making this program successful, and endowing this fund in his honor is a natural fit. It is also a sign of appreciation for all the many links that exist between Rolls-Royce and Purdue University, and the role that President Jischke played in strengthening those links."

The gift will be matched by Rolls-Royce employee contributions. Science Bound staff will select which students will receive textbook assistance based on need and academic performance.

Science Bound is a partnership among Purdue, the Indianapolis Public Schools and Indianapolis business community that was initiated in 2001. It provides eligible IPS students an opportunity to earn a four-year tuition scholarship to Purdue to study for a science-related career.

Twenty-six Science Bound students are currently enrolled at the university. The program, which started with 60 middle and high-school students, has grown to more than 250 students who participate in after-school activities, field trips and summer camps to enrich their academic experience.

Wesley Campbell, Science Bound director, said even though tuition is paid for, the cost of textbooks can be a financial burden for Science Bound students.

"A Purdue freshman enrolled in science, engineering, math or technology can pay more than $1,000 a year for textbooks," Campbell said. "We are grateful to Rolls-Royce for stepping up for our students."

Rolls-Royce also supports Science Bound by serving on the advisory board, participating in Career Day, providing summer internships, mentoring students at Arsenal Tech high school and donating computer equipment for student use.

Rolls-Royce develops land, sea and aeronautical engines for customers around the world, including government agencies, civil and military aircraft manufacturers, commercial airlines, corporate and regional operators, public utilities, independent power producers, pipeline operators, and on- and off-shore oil producers. Its Indianapolis plant is one of 64 locations throughout North America that collectively employ more than 8,000 people. More than 600 Purdue graduates work at the Indianapolis facility.

Rolls-Royce and Purdue have a long history of collaboration. The company has formed a university technology center at Purdue, an alliance in which researchers work on propulsion technologies for future aircraft that may fly as fast as seven times the speed of sound. It also committed financial support for Purdue's newly constructed Neil Armstrong hall of Engineering.

Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu

Sources: Maria Weber, Rolls-Royce corporate communications director, (317) 230-6662, maria.y.weber@rolls-royce.com

Wesley Campbell, (765) 494-0018, wesleyl@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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