Lawrence Technological University

This article is about Lawrence Technological University in the state of Michigan. For the similarly named liberal arts college in Wisconsin, see Lawrence University.
Lawrence Technological University
Former names
Lawrence Institute of Technology
Motto Theory and Practice
Type Private
Non Profit
Established 1932
President Dr. Virinder K. Moudgil
Provost Dr. Maria J. Vaz
Academic staff
407
Students 4,154
Undergraduates 3,065
Postgraduates 1,089
Location Southfield, Michigan, United States
Campus Suburb
102 acres (41.3 ha)
Colors Blue and White
         [1]
Athletics NAIA Division IIWHAC
*ACHA Division 3MCHC
(*men's hockey)
Sports 20 Varsity Teams
Nickname Blue Devils
Mascot Blue, the Blue Devil
Affiliations AITU
NASAD
NCA
Website www.ltu.edu

Lawrence Technological University (LTU), frequently referred to as Lawrence Tech, is a private university located in Southfield, Michigan, United States. Lawrence Tech was founded in 1932 in Highland Park as Lawrence Institute of Technology (LIT) by Russell E. Lawrence. The university moved to Southfield in 1955 and has since expanded to 107 acres (0.43 km2). The campus also includes the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Affleck House and the Detroit Center for Design + Technology in Midtown Detroit.[2][3]

Lawrence Tech is considered one of the foremost private technological universities.[4] The university has consistently been among the Top Tier for "Universities–Master's (Midwest)" by U.S. News & World Report. Bloomberg-Businessweek also reported that the earning power of a Lawrence Tech bachelor's degree ranks in the highest 30 percent of all U.S. universities. Other distinctions include: Princeton Review "Best in the Midwest" in 2010; Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognition, 2009; G. I. Jobs "Military Friendly School," 2010; State of Michigan Center of Excellence for Sustainable Infrastructure and Structural Testing; an Intel "Top 50 Unwired Campus"; a Michigan Green Leader; Architectural Record among "America's Best Architectural Schools" in construction methods and materials; and Michigan's Going Green Award."[5]

The school offers undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs in STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics).[6] The university's four colleges are Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, and Management. LTU's athletic teams are known as the Blue Devils. They compete in Division II of the NAIA and joined the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference in 2012.[7]

History

Russell Lawrence founded the college of engineering in the midst of the Great Depression and with only a few hundred students and a handful of faculty. It was a firm belief of Lawrence that education should focus not only on theory, but on the practical application. Classes were originally held in a building leased from Henry Ford adjacent to a huge manufacturing facility on Woodward Avenue.[8] Ford built the Model T and perfected the moving assembly line in this location.[9] "Theory and Practice" were ingrained side-by-side and helped prepare students for leadership in a new technical era.

From the beginning, there were no restrictions on entering students relating to race, color, creed, or national or ethnic origin—only the requirement that students qualify for admission and have the desire to succeed. Lawrence Tech provided the opportunity for working students to earn a baccalaureate degree by attending evening programs, day programs, or a combination of the two—a unique feature in 1932 and still true to this day.

E. George Lawrence, Russell Lawrence's brother, became President in 1934 and helped usher tremendous growth of programs, including the move to a new location in Southfield. In 1935, the four-quarter academic calendar was developed. As enrollment grew, the University acquired acreage at the John C. Lodge Freeway and 10 Mile Road on what had been a General Mills research farm. In 1950, associate programs were added to Lawrence Tech's baccalaureate offerings. In 1952 the College of Management was created, having its origins in an earlier industrial engineering curriculum. In 1955, Lawrence Tech opened its first building on the Southfield Campus to house all of these programs. The College of Architecture and Design evolved in 1962 from the former architectural engineering department.

Wayne H. Buell, who served as president from 1964 to 1977 and as chair of the board and chief executive officer until 1981, worked to build a firm foundation for the University's early emergence as a technological leader. He first advanced the notion that Lawrence Tech was a private college serving a public purpose. The College of Arts and Sciences was established under his watch in 1967.

Richard E. Marburger, served as president from 1977 to 1993 and as chair of the board of trustees and chief executive officer. His presidency was marked by the addition of graduate degrees, the massive growth of computer facilities. In 1977, Lawrence Tech shed its "commuter" classification by opening the nine-story University Housing-South residence hall. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Affleck House in Bloomfield Hills was donated to the University in 1978. The Wayne H. Buell Management Building and the Don Ridler Field House were completed during his presidency. Numerous improvements to existing buildings, and a substantial increase in state-of-the-art laboratory and computer equipment were highlights of these years. Master's degree programs in management were launched in 1989, and in engineering in 1990. Simultaneously, LIT's change to its present name, Lawrence Technological University, was approved on January 1, 1989, by the State of Michigan, and more clearly described Lawrence Tech's undergraduate and graduate mission.

A. Alfred Taubman Student Services Center.

Charles M. Chambers became president in 1993 and served as chancellor in 2006. During his presidency, he oversaw significant enhancement of the University's international reputation as a distinguished center of technological education and research. A Strategic Plan and Campus Master Plan were adopted to guide the University. Other achievements included construction of the University Technology and Learning Center, University Housing-North; the A. Alfred Taubman Student Services Center; a redeveloped campus quadrangle; the Center for Innovative Materials Research; establishment of a Faculty Senate; conversion of the computer system to a client server model with full Internet2 connectivity and online library access; creation of Michigan's first completely wireless laptop campus; and expanded bookstore, dining, and student activity facilities. Master of Architecture program was added in 1993, and graduate degree in Arts and Sciences in 1997. Doctoral programs were launched in 2002. The University Technology and Learning Center opened in 2001, University Housing-North in 2002, and the A. Alfred Taubman Student Services Center and the Center for Innovative Materials Research in 2006.[5]

University Technology and Learning Center

Lewis N. Walker was named interim president in February 2006, became president on July 1, and was inaugurated on November 2, 2006. He had previously served as provost, the University's chief academic officer, and executive vice president. Walker was committed to developing the leadership skills of Lawrence Tech's students and worked with faculty to add a leadership component to the curricula of all undergraduate programs. In addition, he engaged in partnerships with universities worldwide that brought international students to campus and provided further opportunities for Lawrence Tech students to study abroad. Varsity athletics returned under his watch in 2011.[10]


Virinder K. Moudgil was named president in July 2012, and was inaugurated in September. He had previously served as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Interim Provost, and Provost at Oakland University. In the fall of 2015, Lawrence Tech opened their third on-campus housing unit, Lloyd E. Reuss Residence Hall.[11] Concurrently, there has been an enormous expansion and improvement of facilities, including the building of the A. Alfred Taubman Complex.[12]

University Housing North
University Housing North residence hall

Present-Day

For nearly 80 years, Lawrence Tech has continued to prosper and accelerate its growth, hone its educational philosophy of theory and practice, build important community and professional alliances, and forge partnerships with the firms, organizations, and industries who hire Lawrence Tech alumni. Today it offers over 100 programs in four colleges, with a total enrollment of nearly 4,500 students, and employs over 400 full- and part-time faculty. In terms of enrollment, Lawrence Tech is among Michigan's largest independent colleges.

Just recently, the University received an anonymous cash donation for $20,000,000 which is the largest gift in its 81-year history. The donation will be used to support the STEM fields of science, technology, and mathematics by creating a Marburger STEM Center that supports those programs. A large portion of the donation will also go to need-based scholarships. Construction began at the start of the 2014 fall school year.[12]

Lawrence Tech has consistently been among the Top Tier for "Universities–Master's (Midwest)" by U.S. News & World Report. Lawrence Technological University's ranking in the 2015 edition of Best Colleges is 54th in the category Regional Universities (Midwest). In addition, the University tied for 49th of 100 "Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs" in U.S. News & World Report's Best Universities-Masters-Midwest in 2010. Other distinctions include: Princeton Review "Best in the Midwest" in 2010; Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognition, 2009; G. I. Jobs "Military Friendly School," 2010; State of Michigan Center of Excellence for Sustainable Infrastructure and Structural Testing; an Intel "Top 50 Unwired Campus"; a Michigan Green Leader; Architectural Record among "America's Best Architectural Schools" in construction methods and materials; and Michigan's Going Green Award."[5] Bloomberg-Businessweek also reported that the earning power of a Lawrence Tech bachelor's degree ranks in the highest 30 percent of all U.S. universities.

3,033 students are enrolled as of 2015, 76% male and 24% female. The acceptance rate for students (in 2014) is 57.6%.[4]

Academics

College of Architecture and Design

The college offers numerous undergraduate and graduate opportunities as outlined below.

Major/Program Type of Program
Architecture Master
Environmental Graphic Design Master
Interior Design Master
Urban Design Master
Architecture, Direct Entry Combined Bachelor/Master
Architectural Studies Four-year Baccalaureate
Architecture Four-year Baccalaureate
Game Art Four-year Baccalaureate
Graphic Design Four-year Baccalaureate
Industrial Design Four-year Baccalaureate
Interaction Design Four-year Baccalaureate
Interior Architecture Four-year Baccalaureate
Transportation Design Four-year Baccalaureate
Urban Design Graduate Certificate
Architectural Management Graduate Certificate
Sustainable Architecture Graduate Certificate
Building Information Modeling and Computer Visualization Undergraduate Certificate

College of Engineering

The college offers numerous undergraduate and graduate opportunities as outlined below.

Major/Program Type of Program
Civil Engineering Ph.D.
Manufacturing Systems Doctorate
Mechanical Engineering Doctorate
Automotive Engineering Master
Biomedical Engineering Master
Civil Engineering Master
Construction Engineering Management Master
Electrical and Computer Engineering Master
Engineering Management Master
Engineering Management with MBA Master
Engineering Technology Master
Fire Engineering Master
Industrial Engineering Master
Mechanical Engineering Master
Mechatronic Systems Engineering Master
Manufacturing Systems Master
Architectural Engineering Combined Bachelor/Master
Audio Engineering Technology Four-year Baccalaureate
Biomedical Engineering Four-year Baccalaureate
Civil Engineering Four-year Baccalaureate
Civil Engineering and Architecture Four-year Baccalaureate
Computer Engineering Four-year Baccalaureate
Construction Engineering Technology and Management Four-year Baccalaureate
Electrical Engineering Four-year Baccalaureate
Industrial Engineering Four-year Baccalaureate
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology Four-year Baccalaureate
Mechanical Engineering Four-year Baccalaureate
Robotics Engineering Four-year Baccalaureate
Aeronautical Engineering Minor
Energy Engineering Minor
Construction Engineering Technology and Management Two-year Associate
Mechanical Engineering Technology Two-year Associate
Aeronautical Engineering Graduate Certificate
Energy Engineering Graduate Certificate
Fire Engineering Graduate Certificate
Integrated Project Delivery Graduate Certificate
Project Management Graduate Certificate
Telecommunications Engineering Graduate Certificate
Electrical Power Systems Undergraduate Certificate
Embedded Systems Undergraduate Certificate

College of Arts and Sciences

The college offers numerous undergraduate and graduate opportunities as outlined below.

Major/Program Type of Program
Educational Technology Master
Computer Science Master
Technical and Professional Communication Master
Pre-Dental Pre-Professional
Pre-Law Pre-Professional
Pre-Dental Pre-Professional
Chemical Biology Four-year Baccalaureate
Chemistry Four-year Baccalaureate
Computer Science Four-year Baccalaureate
English and Communication Arts Four-year Baccalaureate
Environmental Chemistry Four-year Baccalaureate
Humanities Four-year Baccalaureate
Mathematics Four-year Baccalaureate
Mathematics and Computer Science Four-year Baccalaureate
Media Communication Four-year Baccalaureate
Molecular and Cell Biology Four-year Baccalaureate
Physics Four-year Baccalaureate
Physics and Computer Science Four-year Baccalaureate
Psychology Four-year Baccalaureate
Chemical Technology Two-year Associate
General Studies Two-year Associate
Radio and Television Broadcasting Two-year Associate
Biology Minor
Chemistry Minor
Economics Minor
English Minor
General Sciences Minor
History Minor
Mathematics Minor
Media Communication Minor
Nanotechnology Minor
Physics Minor
Philosophy Minor
Psychology Minor
Technical and Professional Communication Minor
Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate
Industrial Design, Communication, and Presentation Graduate Certificate
Instructional Technology Graduate Certificate
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Premedical Studies Graduate Certificate
Technical and Professional Communication Graduate Certificate
Writing for the Digital Age Graduate Certificate
Workplace Technology Graduate Certificate
Computer Science Undergraduate Certificate
Industrial/Organizational Psychology Undergraduate Certificate
Technical and Professional Communication Undergraduate Certificate
Television and Video Production Undergraduate Certificate

College of Management

The college offers numerous undergraduate and graduate opportunities as outlined below.

Major/Program Type of Program
Business Administration Doctorate
Business Administration Master
Information Technology Master
Business Administration Four-year Baccalaureate
Information Technology Four-year Baccaluareate
Business Minor
Project Management Graduate Certificate

Athletics

Ridler Fieldhouse
The Don Ridler Field House
Lawrence Tech's mascot Blue

Lawrence Tech teams are known as the Blue Devils. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) while men's ice hockey team is a member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) at the Division III level as a member of the Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference (MCHC).[13] Men's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, ice hockey, lacrosse and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball.

Lawrence Tech fielded athletic teams throughout its history from 1930 to 1962.[14] The 1950-51 men's basketball team played the 1951 National Invitation Tournament, held at Madison Square Garden in New York. Lawrence Tech was defeated by Dayton, 71-77 in the opening round of the tournament.[14] Blaine Denning, an alumnus from the 1951 team, went on to play professional basketball with the Baltimore Bullets of the NBA.[15]

Lawrence Tech re-instated athletic programs in 2011 and joined the NAIA.[16] Men's soccer and bowling, along with women's volleyball, joined the already established men's ice hockey team for the university's athletic offerings during the 2011-12 academic year.[15] During its fifth season in the NAIA, the university will field teams in men's baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, soccer and tennis, and women's basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.[15]

Student life

Student Organizations

On campus extracurricular activities include leadership opportunities and more than 40 clubs. Student Government represents all organizations on campus.[17]

Fraternities and Sororities

The University is also home to chapters of fraternities, including Alpha Sigma Phi, Theta Tau, Sigma Pi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Phi Kappa Upsilon, and Phi Beta Sigma. The sororities represented on campus include Chi Omega Rho, Delta Tau Sigma, Delta Phi Epsilon, and Kappa Beta Gamma.[17]

Notable alumni

The following is a list the presents other notable alumni.

Notable faculty and staff

Photo gallery

See also

References

  1. "Style Guide: Colors". Office of Marketing and Public Affairs, Lawrence Technological University. August 2, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  2. "Dec. 18 groundbreaking for new Midtown Detroit, Inc. building anchored by Lawrence Tech". Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  3. "History". Lawrence Technological University. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  4. 1 2 Lawrence Technological University ,U.S. News and World Report, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Information supplied by Lawrence Technological University's Office of Marketing and Public Affairs, 2010.
  6. http://www.ltu.edu/academicsandmajors/
  7. "Metro & state: Lawrence Tech, Marygrove to be added to WHAC". Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  8. Michigan Historical Markers: Lawrence Institute of Technology (accessed 16 April 2015)
  9. Arthur M. Woodford, This is Detroit, 1701-2001, Chapter 18, page 214, Wayne State University Press, 2001, ISBN 0814329144
  10. "Lawrence Tech Joins NAIA, Adds More Varsity Sports". Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  11. http://www.ltu.edu/housing/reusshall.asp
  12. 1 2 "A. Alfred Taubman Engineering, Life Sciences, and Architecture Complex". Lawrence Technological University. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  13. Staff (October 26, 2011). "WHAC set to add 2 new schools". Livonia Observer. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
  14. 1 2 LewAllen, Dave (March 16, 2011). "60 years later: Lawrence Tech basketball's NIT appearance was the talk of the town!". WXYZ-TV. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  15. 1 2 3 Miller, Jennie (September 28, 2011). "Lawrence Tech brings athletics back to campus". Southfield Sun. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  16. Satyanarayana, Megha (October 11, 2011). "Game on: Lawrence Tech brings back sports to lure students". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  17. 1 2 "Current Student Organizations". Lawrence Technological University. Lawrence Technological University. Retrieved July 21, 2015.

External links

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Coordinates: 42°28′29″N 83°14′56″W / 42.47472°N 83.24889°W / 42.47472; -83.24889

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