The Kahlert Foundation Donates $350k Gift to Create Makerspace at Stevenson
Stevenson University is pleased to announce that it has received a $350,000 gift from The Kahlert Foundation that will fund the creation of a new makerspace in the university’s Kevin J. Manning Academic Center. The makerspace will be a 1,200-square-foot renovation providing innovative learning experiences for students and faculty in Stevenson’s Biomedical Engineering program as well as for other students and faculty working on design and engineering projects. The makerspace will be equipped with the latest technology including 3D printers, soldering and laser cutting equipment, and computer-aided design (CAD) technology, and will serve as a collaborative space to inspire creativity and thinking.
“We are very grateful for the ongoing friendship and extraordinary generosity of The Kahlert Foundation,” said Elliot Hirshman, President of Stevenson University. “In 2019, the Foundation’s gift of $200,000 was critical for launching our new Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering program. This new gift will help us create an exciting new learning, design, and engineering space for students and faculty from across the university.”
“We are delighted to invest in the students and faculty at Stevenson University so they can discover, experiment and create using the newest technology and tools available for hands-on learning,” shared Greg Kahlert, President of The Kahlert Foundation. “The makerspace will help inspire the next generation and promote careers in STEM.”
The Kahlert Foundation is a family affair, led by Greg, the son of the late William “Bill” E. Kahlert, co-founder of Evapco Inc., a worldwide manufacturer of evaporative cooling products for the HVAC, industrial refrigeration, power generation, and industrial processing markets. Roberta Kahlert, Greg’s wife, and two children, Heather and Scott, all serve on the board of directors.
The Kahlert Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life and well-being of communities by providing grants to non-profit organizations in the areas of healthcare, education, youth programs, veteran organizations, and human services with a geographical focus on the states of Maryland and Utah. The Foundation is particularly committed to supporting higher education and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs.
Originally founded in 1947 as Villa Julie College, Stevenson University serves more than 2,700 undergraduate students at its campus in Owings Mills, Md. The university also offers a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree as well as online master’s and bachelor’s programs through Stevenson University Online. Stevenson’s mission is to provide our students connections to careers, a supportive community, and exceptional experiences in and out of the classroom to foster their academic, social, and professional success.