Engineering students meet Governor Jennifer Granholm
A group of Wayne State students had the opportunity to meet Nov. 30 with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who dropped into the NextEnergy facility at WSU's TechTown to promote high tech development and jobs in the state of Michigan.
Mechanical engineering junior Walter Bies said he was surprised to learn so much new technology was going on at NextEnergy and TechTown. Mechanical Engineering undergrad. Mike Rabineau used the governor's visit as an opportunity to network and prepare for his career in entrepreneurial engineering.
The five engineering students, together with other Wayne State computer science, math and science students, and students from Detroit's Western International High School, waited briefly inside NextEnergy's lofty new tech style lobby for the Governor to arrive.
Besides NextEnergy's and Gov. Granholm's staff, Ralph Kummler, dean of engineering, and Snehamay Khasnabis, associate dean, and a few reporters, the small gathering was made up of students, at the Governor's request.
When she breezed in unceremoniously - her security detail was already in place - Gov. Granholm greeted each student warmly, and anyone else who approached her.
"I told her that when we last met at the university commencement ceremony two years ago when she received an honorary degree, the College will have start-up companies when NextEnergy opens," Kummler said. "Today the college is involved with two companies which will be moving into NextEnergy's new lab spaces, as well as two across the street in TechTown I."
NextEnergy CEO James Croce, BSECE'86, led the group on a short tour of NextEnergy, the facilitator and incubator for the development of alternative energy technology for the state of Michigan. Croce said the new companies locating at NextEnergy in the next few months as the laboratory spaces are being prepared, are involved in various aspects of alternative energy technology development. These include wind and solar power, hydrogen components for fuel cell systems, biomass research and development, nanomaterials, and others.
Speaking to the students, Gov. Granholm freely added her explanations along the way, demonstrating her reservoir of knowledge about Michigan's high tech and biotech industry, and her enthusiasm for its acceleration.
Last week, Gov. Granholm signed a package of legislative bills investing more than $2 billion to create thousands of new jobs and diversify the state's economy in four key growth areas: life science, advanced manufacturing, alternative energy, and homeland security.
Back in NextEnergy's lobby at the end of the tour, Gov. Granholm spoke extemporaneously to the students. "For all you students, I hope you consider the areas of 21st century emerging sectors like the ones shown here today," she said. "They are certainly the wave of the future, and also help to change the world. Make money and change the world. What can be better than that?"