Plexus Supports MTU Students and Innovation in New Electronics Lab
<!doctype html>
Energy Resources Center.
Plexus Supports MTU Students and Innovation in New Electronics Lab
Wes Frahm
The new Plexus Innovation Lab in Michigan Technological University’s Electrical Energy
Resources Center is an electronics maker space.
A desire to support learning and the engineering discipline, as well as the ability
to engage further with Michigan Technological University students, led
Plexus Corp. to sponsor a new laboratory in Michigan Tech’s
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The 560-square-foot facility, located in the Electrical Energy Resources Center
(EERC), is a maker space focused on electronics.
The EERC maker space is open to students across various disciplines, providing Tech
students with hands-on experiences in designing and testing electronics through use
of the lab’s equipment.
“I’m very pleased to see this strong investment in student learning by Plexus,” said
Janet Callahan, dean of the College of Engineering. “The partnership of Plexus with
Michigan Tech will be impactful to students and faculty for many years to come.”
The project was born out of a long-standing relationship between Michigan Tech and
Plexus. Plexus, a Neenah, Wisconsin-based company, employs dozens of Huskies in applications
ranging from mechanical to biomedical to electrical engineering. Plexus has many proud
Tech alumni, who routinely return to their alma mater to participate in guest lectures,
as well as recruit more Huskies during Michigan Tech’s career fairs.
Michigan Tech alumna Christina Jufliak wanted to benefit both her employer and the
University. After earning a BS in Biomedical Engineering in 2013 and an MBA the following
year, she started her career at Plexus as a product engineer and is currently a functional
manager.
“As an MTU alum, I saw firsthand the school’s efforts to provide relevant and hands-on
experiences for students to prepare them for their careers,” said Jufliak. “I am very
excited and grateful that the Plexus Innovation Lab will continue supporting these
efforts, preparing students to take on internships and full-time positions within
their respective fields.”
Plexus, through its Plexus Charitable Foundation, supports institutions that promote
technology-related educational programs.
“Plexus is proud to expand our partnership with Michigan Tech through our sponsorship
of the Plexus Innovation Lab,” commented Mike Running, Plexus’ senior vice president
of global engineering solutions and aftermarket services. “Our mission to help our
customers create the products that build a better world requires an exceptionally
talented engineering team. The investment in this lab creates a space for students
to gain hands-on electronics experience and develop the problem-solving skills and
innovative thinking necessary to aid in creating products that build a better world.”
Chris Middlebrook, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, headed
the laboratory project for Michigan Tech, ensuring the space and equipment met the
needs of students.
“Thanks to this generous donation from Plexus, our students now have the incredible
opportunity to enhance and expand their educational experience through the use of
our new Plexus Innovation Lab,” said Middlebrook. “The Plexus team has been actively
engaged in the planning and execution of the creation of an electronics maker space,
demonstrating their steadfast investment in the Michigan Tech community.”
The Plexus Innovation Lab is one of several mutually beneficial corporate partnerships
on campus. To learn more, contact
Cody Kangas, director of corporate relations.