The University of Indianapolis has announced a $5 million gift from the R.B. Annis Educational Foundation to launch the R.B. Annis School of Engineering.

Made in honor of inventor and scientist Robert B. Annis, who passed away in 1999, the gift will enable the university, which began offering a bachelor's degree program in engineering last fall, to advance its efforts to address growing demand for skilled engineers and STEM-related professionals in Indiana. To that end, the  school will offer specialized areas of study in computer science, industrial and systems engineering, software engineering, and mechanical engineering, with students benefiting from a project-based learning (PBL) and Design Spine approach combining specialized training in engineering with real-world, hands-on experiences.

Annis, a scientist and inventor who specialized in magnetics and balancing instruments, founded the R.B. Annis Company in Indianapolis in 1928. Established in 1996, the R.B. Annis Educational Foundation has supported various educational and arts and culture institutions in the area, including the University of Indianapolis, where Annis also established the Miriam F. Annis Memorial Scholarship in honor of his late wife. The Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute, founded in 1986 at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, is a multidisciplinary research organization committed to integrating research and education to enhance and preserve freshwater resources.

"Mr. Annis understood well the power of interconnectedness and discovery. This gift will fuel the university's role in preparing generations of engineers who are critical thinkers and innovators, creatively engaged in contributing to our quality of life through an interdisciplinary, human-centered curriculum," said UI president Robert L. Manuel. "We're thankful to be able to connect the legacy of Mr. Annis and his commitment to scientific exploration with our engineering students while filling a significant need in our local and state-wide economies."