A portion of Corley Hall at Arkansas Tech University was commemorated as the Lloyd D. McDaniel Center for Engineering and Computer Science during an event on Thursday, July 15.
The naming is in recognition of a $3.2 million estate gift from McDaniel, who died in 2017.
Born in Pine Bluff on June 16, 1940, McDaniel graduated from Little Rock Hall High School. He enrolled at Arkansas Tech, where he earned an engineering degree in 1960 before moving on to further study at the University of Arkansas.
McDaniel spent his career as an engineer and working with computers. He was at the forefront of the computing revolution during his service as an executive at Hewlett Packard from 1977-91.
Prior to his estate gift, McDaniel had already established a scholarship benefiting ATU students. Over the past 16 years, Arkansas Tech students have received $50,000 in scholarship funds as a result of McDaniel’s philanthropy.
“Students in the ATU College of Engineering and Applied Sciences have proven themselves to be among the best in the nation in recent years,” said Dr. Robin E. Bowen, ATU president, during the McDaniel commemoration. “In April 2019, a team of six ATU students achieved a fuel efficiency of 993 miles per gallon to finish third among teams from the United States and seventh overall in the prototype internal combustion engine division at the Shell Eco-marathon Americas challenge. In December 2019, a team of 11 ATU students punched their ticket to the VEX U Robotics World Championship by winning the overall excellence award at a qualifying tournament in Little Rock. As ATU looks ahead, Mr. McDaniel’s estate gift will help even more Arkansas Tech STEM students pursue their passions and realize their potential.”
Dr. Judy Cezeaux, dean of the ATU College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, shared with those in attendance that McDaniel’s estate gift has already made several improvements possible.
“In computer and information science, we have purchased new servers that are the same ones that students are likely to use when they graduate and begin their careers,” said Cezeaux. “Future plans in computer and information science include a state-of-the-art networking classroom.
“Elsewhere, our mechanical engineering leadership and faculty have utilized funds from Mr. McDaniel’s estate gift to support our new degree in manufacturing,” continued Cezeaux. “We were able to move a milling machine that was donated by Falcon Jet to campus and then make the facility modifications necessary to support the new equipment. In the future, we plan to use the funds to purchase additional equipment and modify additional spaces to enhance student success and better prepare our graduates for their careers in industry.”
Learn more about the ATU College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at www.atu.edu/appliedsci.
