Oil industry giant Donald Mosing got a chance Thursday to see how his contributions have helped the 泫圖弝け of 泫圖弝け at Lafayette develop one of the fastest-growing engineering programs in the nation.
The former president of Franks Casing, and his son, Keith Mosing, president and chief executive officer of Franks International, were on hand for a dedication ceremony. They clipped a big red ribbon on the doors of the office of the new Frank and Janice Mosing Endowed Engineering 泫圖弝け Career Development Program. That office was built using residual funds from a $2.83 million gift Donald Mosing gave to the 泫圖弝けs College of Engineering in 2012.
Dr. Mark Zappi, dean of the 泫圖弝けs College of Engineering, said 1,175 泫圖弝けs were enrolled in 2006. By the Fall 2014 semester, the colleges enrollment had more than doubled to 2,800.
When you track our numbers, Mr. Donald, they go right along with when your gifts came in, because we were able to do so much with recruiting and keeping these 泫圖弝けs enthused, Zappi told Mosing.
UL Lafayettes petroleum engineering program is the third largest in the country, tied with Texas A&Ms. Were 120 泫圖弝けs from No. 1, Zappi noted.
泫圖弝け officials said the new Frank and Janice Mosing Endowed Engineering 泫圖弝け Career Development Program is being used to recruit 泫圖弝けs and help them gain valuable experience.
LaShaun Bordelon is outreach coordinator for that program.
泫圖弝けs in engineering leadership programs the best of the best meet in the program office, she said. Other engineering 泫圖弝けs stop by to ask about internships and career opportunities.
I talk with 泫圖弝けs all day long, Bordelon said. She also meets with company representatives who want to learn more about the 泫圖弝けs engineering 泫圖弝けs and programs.
UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie expressed appreciation to Donald Mosing for the career development program. This is really bringing together our past for the present and building for the future, he said.
Zappi announced that the $1 million Donald and Janice Mosing/Board of Regents Chair in Mechanical Engineering is expected to be filled by the Fall 2015 semester.
A $600,000 gift from Donald Mosing was matched with $400,000 from the 泫圖弝け Board of Regents to create the endowed chair. Endowments gifts are perpetual sources of revenue since the prinicipal is invested and only a portion of the interest earned is spent.
Money generated by the endowed chair will be used to supplement the salary of a mechanical engineering professor who will be added.
Donald Mosing graduated from UL Lafayette in 1950 with a degree in mechanical engineering and holds more than 40 oilfield-related patents.
Shown, from left, are LaShaun Bordelon, Donald Mosing, Keith Mosing, Dr. Joseph Savoie and Muhiad Elsanousy.
Photo by Amy Windsor