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 (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 102 acres (0.41 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 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[when?],
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
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 begin
competition in men's baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country,
golf, hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and women's
basketball, bowling, cross country, golf lacrosse, soccer,
softball, tennis 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.
- Steven A. Ballmer,
while still simultaneously enrolled in high school, participated in
Lawrence Tech's Summer Science Institute, then spent a year at the
University, excelling in six of Lawrence Tech's top mathematics
classes. Ballmer is the former CEO of Microsoft and current owner of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers.
- Bennie L. Benjamin, B.S. Civil Engineering 1955 – retired
director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, which serves
nearly half of Michigan's citizens and is one of the nation's
largest water and waste treatment organizations
- John Buffone, B.S. Architecture 1974, B. Architecture 1975
– Little Caesars Vice President of Architecture,
oversaw design of Comerica Park. He managed a team of hundreds of
architects, artists, and designers to develop the ballpark, which
features a carousel, Ferris wheel, and 150-foot (46 m) wide
fountain.
- Donald W. Date, B.S. Architectural Engineering 1949 – The
late chief architect for the United States' Panama Canal Co. His Canal improvements and
modernizations significantly increased efficiency and tonnage
transported through the Canal.
- John DeLorean, B.S. Industrial engineering 1948
– Former GM executive who created the first muscle car and an American businessman who founded
the De Lorean Motor
Company based in Northern Ireland.
- Ed Donley, B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1943 – Former
president of Air Products & Chemicals and Lawrence Tech's
largest benefactor, and former Chairman of the United States Chamber of
Commerce in the 1980s.
- Alan Haase, B.S. Electrical Engineering 1982 – President
of AGC Aerospace & Defense
Composites Group, accomplished turnaround expert in leading
underperforming companies to produce profitable, sustainable
growth.
- Elizabeth Howell, B.S. Electrical Engineering 1992 – Vice
President of Operations at ITC Holdings Corp., the nation's largest
independent electricity transmission company. Miss Howell is a NERC
certified system operator and is a board member of the Midwest
Reliability Organization.
- Ronald Knockeart, B.S. Electrical Engineering 1963 –
inventor of the laser
bar code scanner and pioneered keyless
entry door locks on cars.
- John W. Laister, B.S. Aeronautical Engineering 1938 –
During World War II, developed the revolutionary high wing/rear
door cargo plane design still used in cargo aircraft
worldwide.
- Thomas S. Moore, B.S.EE 1986- general manager of Daimler-Chrysler's
advanced vehicle research and development program, called Liberty
and Technical Affairs. He oversees development of all future
Chrysler products, working with a five to 10
year lead time.
- James P. Ryan, B.S. Architectural Engineering 1966 –
former owner and one time principal of one of the nation's leading
architectural firms that specializes in commercial and shopping
center development. Highly acclaimed designs include the Somerset Collection and Great Lakes
Crossing malls.
- George W. Sierant, ME 1947 - engineered the first viable
rear-facing child safety seat in 1966. The six-way seat
adjuster was another of many driver comfort and safety innovations
Sierant developed during his 34 years with General Motors.
- Alfred Taubman, former Lawrence Tech
architecture student – one of the nation's leading real
estate developers, innovators, and owners of shopping malls
throughout the U.S. He also owns Sotheby's auctioneers and until recently owned the
A&W restaurant chain.
- Lewis Veraldi, B.S. Mechanical Engineering 1968
– late father of the original Ford
Taurus and Sable. As Ford Motor Company vice president in
charge of car development, Veraldi pioneered cross-disciplinary
personnel teams that led to the launch of these cars. The "team"
development process he innovated has become the industry
standard.[5]
- Vincent G. Dow, B.S. Electrical Engineering 1979 - Vice
President and Chief Engineer of Electric Distribution Operations at
DTE Energy. Oversees DTE's electrical
system, including new customer connections, engineering, power
plant electrical equipment, and all distribution system
construction. Also oversees Ass Optimization, distribution contract
management, performance management, the Smart Grid efforts and NERC
standards and compliance for DTE.
Notable faculty and staff
- Wayne Buell, B.S. Chemical Engineering 1936 – Lawrence
Tech's president in 1964 Was a member of the first class to attend
Lawrence Tech for four years from 1932–1936. The Buell
Management building was named in his honor.
- Don Ridler – Before coming to Lawrence Tech in 1932 to
build an athletic program, he coached Michigan's first professional
football franchise. The Ridler Field House was named in his
honor.
Photo
gallery
-
Lawrence Tech's redesigned quad and the Taubman Center.
-
-
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The Center for Innovative Materials Research.
-
University Technology and Learning Center.