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  5. USA College of Engineering Receives $1.5 Million Gift

USA College of Engineering Receives $1.5 Million Gift

Posted on March 19, 2019
Julie Jackson

William B. β€œBill” Burnsed Jr., a 1972 graduate of the ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ, worked as a telephone company engineer for 20 years before starting Burnsed Oil Co. Inc. He donated $1.5 million to the College of Engineering's department of mechanical engineering, which will be named after him. data-lightbox='featured'
William B. β€œBill” Burnsed Jr., a 1972 graduate of the ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ, worked as a telephone company engineer for 20 years before starting Burnsed Oil Co. Inc. He donated $1.5 million to the College of Engineering's department of mechanical engineering, which will be named after him.

William B. β€œBill” Burnsed Jr., a 1972 graduate of the ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ College of Engineering, has donated $1.5 million to the college’s department of mechanical engineering, which will be named the William B. Burnsed Jr. Department of Mechanical Engineering.

This gift will enhance the College of Engineering’s ability to provide the highest-quality instruction, conduct innovative research and provide valuable service to the community.

Burnsed worked as an engineer for ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ Central Bell and BellΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ for 20 years before starting Burnsed Oil Co. Inc., which explores for and produces crude oil. He credits much of his success to the education he received at ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ.  β€œI had always planned on giving back to ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ,” said Burnsed. β€œI never would have gotten to where I am today if I had not received my engineering degree, and ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ best fit my needs to be able to accomplish this.”

β€œI never would have gotten to where I am today if I had not received my engineering degree, and ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ best fit my needs to be able to accomplish this.”

ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ President Tony Waldrop emphasized the positive impact Burnsed’s gift will have on the University’s students and faculty.

β€œThis generous gift will allow our College of Engineering faculty to continue to provide exceptional academic curricula, and it will lay the foundation for transformational growth in the department of mechanical engineering,” Waldrop said. β€œThrough Mr. Burnsed’s generous support, ΊΪΑΟΜμΜΓ’s engineering students will continue to become the problem solvers and leaders of tomorrow.”

Dr. John Steadman, dean of USA’s College of Engineering, said this investment is a game-changer for the department of mechanical engineering.

β€œBill Burnsed represents the epitome of what engineers do,” said Steadman. β€œHe uses his knowledge of science and mathematics to create systems and a business that make life better for everyone. His achievements and generosity have brought honor and recognition to the college, for which we are truly grateful.”

In addition to his latest gift to the College of Engineering, Burnsed has previously established the William B. Burnsed and Amy Burnsed Barter Scholarship Endowment that provides assistance to undergraduate students in the College of Engineering. He has also donated substantial gifts to the Julian and Kim MacQueen Alumni Center and Hancock Whitney Stadium.

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