Midland Leadership Helps UTPB Students Reach for the Stars and Beyond

A partnership to bring aeronautical engineering to The University of Texas Permian Basin was realized fully today, as President Sandra Woodley received the final gift to fund the program’s undergraduate track.

Back in the fall of 2016, UTPB started the new aerospace engineering program after getting a 3-year commitment from both the Midland Development Corporation (MDC) and the Midland City Council. “Because of the generosity and forward thinking by these leaders from the community of Midland, UTPB began the process of researching and developing a concentration in aeronautical engineering with the mechanical engineering program,” said President Woodley. “We are proud to offer these fields of study to our students as we continue to work tirelessly to make UTPB the pride of West Texas.”

In addition, the MDC approved an agreement with UTPB for the construction of a new engineering building and for the establishment and management of an incubator and makerspaceto be located at the Center for Energy & Economic Development (CEED) building.

"Midlanders have consistently told the Midland Development Corporation (MDC) that they want us to focus on roads, education and healthcare. As part of the focus on education, the MDC has been working with the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) to provide funding to assist UTPB in expanding their engineering program,” said Keith Stretcher, vice chairman of the Midland Development Corporation. "We think it is extremely important that a Midlander can graduate from MISD or one of our outstanding private schools and attend UTPB to obtain a degree in Mechanical, Aeronautical, Petroleum, Chemical or Electrical engineering and never leave the City limits of Midland. After construction of the facilities, it is our understanding that one out of every seven students at UTPB will be enrolled in one of the engineering programs. The MDC wants this to be the beginning of a long-term relationship with the University. We will continue to work with UTPB to assist in meeting the educational needs of Midlanders. This investment is not a one-time deal but is just the beginning as we anticipate more opportunities to partner with UTPB in the future."

Funds from the MDC will be used for the build out of the third floor of the new facility which will house UTPB’s newly-established engineering programs, as well as the management and operation of a business incubator and makerspace at the CEED. The incubator/makerspace, on behalf of the MDC, will serve the community and promote new and expanded business enterprises in the City of Midland.

The MDC will provide up to $5 million over a five-year period to help complete UTPB’s proposed College of Engineering building. Contingent upon this, up to 10,000 sq. ft. of space in UTPB’s CEED building will be used to house a makerspace/incubator. 

"The MDC would like to thank Dr. Sandra Woodley, President of UTPB, and all of the excellent staff members and professors of the Engineering Program," added Vice Chairman Stretcher.