The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering received a $10.55 million philanthropic investment nearly two weeks ago from Walter S. "Walt" and Virginia E. "Ginger" Woltosz to support its student's educational needs and faculty's research efforts, while also bettering the technical advances of its research facilities.
Walt Woltosz earned a bachelor's degree in 1969 and a master's degree in 1977 in aerospace engineering from Auburn and also holds a master's in administrative science from the University of Alabama.
In 1996, Woltosz founded Simulations Plus, a company that is now a leading developer of simulation and modeling software for drug discovery and development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Woltosz, now the chairman and CEO, has worked to get his product to be used by more than 200 pharmaceutical firms, including the world's Top 25, helping to analyze new products and saving millions of dollars in research and development costs.
In 1981, Walt and Virginia founded Words+, a leader in creating state-of-the-art products that unlock the person by providing the high quality communication and computer access tools available.
Beth Smith, assistant director of communications and marketing for the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, said Woltosz is a prime example of an Auburn Engineer who has made an impact on the world.
"Walt has quite a distinguished career and a very interesting career," Smith said. "He is a good example of an Auburn engineer who has gone on to really make significant implications for the well-being of people throughout the world."
Woltosz idea for Word+ came about when his wife's mother became ill. It was then that Woltosz began developing augmentative communication systems for person with severe disabilities, ultimately becoming successful.
Smith said Walts influence has even reached internationally renowned people.
"His work in augmentative communications was very significant, reaching as far as Stephen Hawking, the internationally renowned astrophysicist, who used some of Walt's technology to enhance his ability to communicate," Smith said.
The $10.55 million donation is the second largest individual donation in the College of Engineering behind Samuel Ginn's $25 million donation which ultimately led the college to bear his name. The Woltosz's donation will enhance their previous support of the Woltosz graduate fellows program while also funding educational initiatives, research efforts, and advancements in the colleges research facilities.
Woltosz said he knew his education was supported by donations such as this one which is why he felt the need to give back to the university that once treated him.
"The quality of an Auburn engineering education is evidenced by the tremendous success of so many of the college's alumni, and I have been one of the very fortunate ones," Woltosz said. "We know our educations were supported by the gifts of others, so now it's our turn to 'pay it forward.'
Smith said the donation is significant not only because of the amount but also because of the things Woltosz supports.
"It's very significant, in particular because of the kinds of things that Walt is supporting," Smith said. "He has contributed to the college for many years but has done a lot for our graduate fellowship program and supporting graduate fellowships that help us increase our ability to attract some of the brightest graduate students."
In recognition of their support, the Auburn University Board of Trustees voted to name engineering's central research facility in the Shelby Center for Engineering Technology as the Woltosz Engineering Research Laboratory.
Christopher Roberts, the dean of engineering, said it's only fitting for the research laboratory to be named in Woltosz's honor.
"Given Walt's tremendous contributions to innovation throughout his career, it is quite fitting for our advanced research laboratory to be named in his honor," Roberts said. "Walt and Ginger's investment in the college is pivotal to our ability to remain at the forefront of engineering research and education as we continue our trajectory of becoming one of the nation's premier engineering programs."
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