Merrill L. Ebner Fund

Early in the 2003-2004 academic year, Roger and Sandra Dorf of Austin, Texas, established the Merrill L. Ebner Fund focused on encouraging creative design in the Manufacturing Engineering program. (Roger received an M.S. degree from the Department in 1970 with full salary, tuition and housing support from IBM.) Within the Fund are two distinct sub-funds. The Endowed Fund receives payments from which the accumulated interest is available for use. The Current Use Fund is available for use immediately upon receipt of contributions. Contributions from friends, alumni, staff, faculty and corporations interested in the Department and its design activity continue to arrive steadily with ongoing outreach by faculty and staff.

Upon initiation of the Ebner Fund, the Department formed a committee to provide program direction and general oversight of the Fund's activities. It is important to note also that the Undergraduate and Graduate Committees of the Department have been, and will continue to be, active partners in programs sponsored by the Fund.

The Merrill L. Ebner Fund, although new to the Department, is vital, growing and already having an impact. It is expected that its influence will be profound in coming years.