Community Programs

Lawrence Tech received a $100,000 grant from the nonprofit NextEnergy corporation to develop an alternative energy technology curriculum. In association with Focus: HOPE and Lansing Community College, Lawrence Tech will develop associate degree and certificate programs in alternative energy, with a bachelor’s degree program and continuing education programs to follow.

Studying alternative forms of energy is anything but new at Lawrence Tech. Hybrid electric cars developed by the University’s engineering students have received national attention for more than a decade, and architecture students recently won Michigan’s Zero Energy Home competition. Prior to the NextEnergy education grant awards, Lawrence Tech announced a new alternative energy course for this fall – one of the first such courses in the state.

“We are very excited to have a role creating the first wave of alternative energy programs for Michigan,” said Charles M. Chambers, Lawrence Tech president. “From power electronics and electrochemistry to fuel cell science and solar systems, faculty and students will explore the very latest alternatives to today’s costly pollution-producing fuels.”

According to NextEnergy Chief Operating Officer Steven D. Arwood, “The creation of a curriculum for technicians and engineers is a significant part of the infrastructure that will position the State of Michigan to take the leadership role in producing a workforce to continue AET research and development. The awards are expected to result in a seamless, statewide curriculum in alternative energy between two year and four year schools.”