Garmin executive gives $1 million to Kansas State University engineering expansion
Friday, May 15, 2015
MANHATTAN — Dr. Min Kao, of Garmin International Inc., has made a $1 million gift to create four labs in the Phase IV building addition at the Kansas State University College of Engineering.
This latest gift is above and beyond the more than $1 million dollars in contributions that Dr. Kao has previously given in support of the College of Engineering through the sponsorship of electrical engineering and computer science scholarships, as well as improvements to the engineering facilities on campus.
Dr. Kao is a co-founder and the executive chairman of Garmin Ltd., with U.S. headquarters in Olathe. He earned a doctoral degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee. He is a member of the Kansas State University Foundation's Presidents Club, a philanthropic leadership organization for friends and alumni of the university, and the College of Engineering's Seaton Society, which honors philanthropic leadership among college friends and alumni.
"I am appreciative of state and university leaders who have shown their commitment to making Kansas State University a great institution of higher learning for future engineers," Dr. Kao said. "The university's bold Phase IV addition to the College of Engineering demonstrates its commitment to the future of engineering, and I am delighted to sponsor the creation of these four engineering labs."
"When passion and purpose align with the generosity of partners like Dr. Kao and Garmin, this advances Kansas State University toward its strategic vision to become a Top 50 public research university by 2025," said Kirk Schulz, university president.
"We are so fortunate to partner with visionary leaders like Dr. Kao, who know the Phase IV addition empowers us to provide quality education within a research environment, develop engineering leaders to benefit society and ultimately gain recognition as a Top 50 public research university," said Darren Dawson, dean of the College of Engineering.
Philanthropic contributions to Kansas State University are coordinated by the KSU Foundation. The foundation staff works with university partners to build lifelong relationships with alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students through involvement and investment in the university.
