In an era of dwindling state funds, it has become increasingly necessary to seek private investments from alumni and business partners to help the university and the college sustain the high academic standards required of engineers and computer scientists. Gifts to the Dean’s Fund allow the college to direct funds into its highest and most urgent priorities. These include student scholarships or travel to student conferences and competitions; the recruitment and retention of superb faculty; support of research projects; new academic and student enrichment programs or experiences; technology upgrades; new curricula; facility improvements; invitations to nationally known speakers, and more.