Van Arnold 601.266.5568, Hattiesburg, van.arnold@usm.edu
USM’s Eagle Maker Hub Receives Funding from Civil-Military Innovation Group
New funding provided by the Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc. (CMI2) will enable The University of Southern Mississippi’s unique Eagle Maker Hub to enhance its productivity as a digital fabrication makerspace.
Dr. Anna Wan, Eagle Maker Hub founder and director, says the contract with CMI2 includes approximately $250,000 that will be used to expand existing prototyping capabilities, as well as add new capabilities.
“The two most exciting additions are custom circuit boards and continuous carbon fiber 3D printing,” said Wan. “Instead of shipping off custom circuit board jobs, we can make circuit boards in-house. In addition, we will be able to 3D print parts that are lighter and stronger than aluminum.”
USM’s Eagle Maker Hub is the first public makerspace available at a Mississippi university, providing access to tools for digital fabrication, rapid prototyping and coding. Through this innovative facility, USM students and faculty are developing new ways to inspire learning in traditional subjects with the latest fabrication technology.
Wan notes that the original goal of Eagle Maker Hub was to place this technology in the hands of all students, their teachers and future teachers. Now, university students not only have unique opportunities to experience technology integration in the classroom and participate in authentic research, but also professional level prototyping.
The Eagle Maker Hub is a key contributor in the CMI2 support of the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) Collaboration Portfolio, specifically its Maker Program. Nationwide, the NSIN Maker Program aims to transform solutions concepts into working prototypes. By using a collection of prototyping hubs throughout the country, NSIN, and its partners including CMI2, works to build a network of innovators to solve national security problems.
“CMI2 has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with (Vice President for Research) Dr. Gordon Cannon and USM. We are proud that our partnership has been integral in moving USM up to an R1 Carnegie Classification of Higher Education status,” said Dr. Zenovy S. Wowczuk, Managing Director of CMI2. “The work Dr. Wan is leading at USM is exemplary for other prototyping hubs throughout the country.”
To learn more about Eagle Maker Hub at USM, call 601.266.4711 or visit:
https://www.usm.edu/math
ABOUT CMI2
The Civil-Military Innovation Institute Inc. (CMI2) supports the creation and utilization of a dynamic civil-military innovation workforce. Offering senior military management expertise, university innovation executive management, and commercial research management capabilities, CMI2 supports client activities by the US Department of Defense and public safety communities. For additional details visit Civil Military Innovation Institute.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites in central and southern Mississippi, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 130 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and sport venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 40 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of approximately 15,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 36 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 24 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.
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