Campaign Newsletter DECEMBER 2025
Our Next BOLD Step: Together As I conclude my service as president of MSOE, I want to personally thank you for the partnerships and generosity that have shaped this remarkable university during my tenure. Over the past nine years, we have become a more inclusive and welcoming community, and we have strengthened the student experience with spaces designed for hands-on learning, collaboration and discovery. Today, the Next Bold Step: MSOE’s Campaign to Accelerate Innovation is positioning MSOE for an even stronger future. The new Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center—along with the campaign’s investments in scholarships, faculty excellence and student support—will transform what is possible for our students and our region. As you read this first edition of the Next Bold Step campaign newsletter, I hope you feel proud of the progress you have helped us achieve. Your support has been essential to MSOE’s success—and it will be just as vital as the university enters its next chapter. Thank you for your trust, your leadership and your unwavering belief in MSOE. It has been the privilege of my career to serve this extraordinary community. ohn Walz, Ph.D. J MSOE President
CELEBRATING A TRANSFORMATIVE GIFT
Melitta S. Pick Charitable Trust Invests $500,000 in the Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center The Melitta S. Pick Charitable Trust has made a generous $500,000 commitment to the Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center, further accelerating the momentum of MSOE’s Next Bold Step campaign. Inspired by the transformative work underway across campus, the Trust’s leadership shared that they were particularly motivated by MSOE’s drive to become a national leader in applied artificial intelligence education. This impactful gift will be recognized with the naming of a 40-seat classroom and the UX senior design space on the Engineering Innovation Center’s second floor—two areas central to hands-on learning, collaboration and student innovation. By supporting these dynamic learning environments, the Melitta S. Pick Charitable Trust is helping empower the next generation of engineers, designers and AI innovators. Their commitment aligns deeply with MSOE’s vision to shape the future of engineering and transform the way students learn, create and lead.
THE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT