Chip Lacy

Enthusiasm for experiential learning has always run high at the Engineering School, according to Professor George Cahen, director of Experiential Learning Programs at SEAS. “The problem has been having the space to build the projects, and the funding to buy materials and to pay for transportation to and entrance fees for competitions,” he says.

A generous donation from Linwood A. “Chip” Lacy Jr. (ChE '67, Darden '69), goes a long way toward solving these problems.

Lacy's gift of $2.5 million includes $500,000 for program support and equipment for the Experiential Learning Program and $1 million toward construction of a much-needed building to house engineering student projects.

“This gift greatly increases our resources for students,” says Professor Cahen. “It gives them a place to experience what it is like to be a working engineer by planning projects, working as a team, and producing a product that will be tested and challenged.”

Lacy was moved to support this initiative after hearing Professor Cahen's report to the SEAS Trustees last fall. “I had been contemplating where my campaign gift might make a difference for students and was impressed by the hands-on, practical engineering training offered through the experiential learning initiative,” he explains. “I also knew that a dedicated space for this program would encourage even more collaborative projects.”

In addition to support for the Experiential Learning Program, Lacy's gift also provides $1 million for a large learning-center classroom in Rice Hall, the information technology engineering building scheduled to open in 2010.

Lacy is the former chairman and CEO of Ingram Micro, a company that, under his direction, grew into one of the largest microcomputer wholesalers in the world. Now a retired investor, he also supports a number of start-up ventures and serves on the boards of numerous companies. An active and generous alumnus since his graduation in 1967, Lacy previously established the L.A. Lacy Distinguished Professorship in honor of his father, the late L.A. “Bub” Lacy, which is currently held by Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Lester Hoel. Lacy continues to serve SEAS as a Trustee and member of the Campaign Cabinet.