A Message from Dr. Paul Plotkowski, Dean of the Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering and Computing

In the early 1980s, a group of West Michigan industrialists approached GVSU with the request to introduce engineering programs. That was the first step in a tremendous partnership between Grand Valley and our industrial partners in producing outstanding engineering professionals.

Since then, the program has seen remarkable growth in the number of students and graduates, in how we prepare them and in the facilities and resources to support student learning, industrial and community engagement.  

Along the way, we were very proud when The National Academy of Engineering recognized our unique partnership naming the GVSU School of Engineering as one of twenty-nine “Exemplars of Real World Engineering Education.” Recognizing a partnership that continues to flourish.

I am pleased to welcome you to the annual GVSU Engineering Design Conference. I look forward to this daylong celebration of our student’s accomplishments, and the ever-thriving public-private partnership that makes the GVSU School of Engineering so unique and effective.

We have three possible avenues for sponsored projects:

1. Senior project is an 8 month (Jan-Aug) student capstone project.
2. The DOER center provides expert assistance on a contract basis.
3. Smaller-scale projects can be completed as course projects.

More information about the Engineering Industry

DOER Center

Contact: Karl Brakora, (616) 331-6824 or [email protected]

Senior Project

Chris Pung, (616) 331-6262 or [email protected]

Wendy Reffeor, (616) 331-6010 or [email protected]

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