Tougaloo, Mississippi — Aug. 3, 2023 — Tougaloo College and the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation were honored to welcome United States Sen. Roger F. Wicker to their campus on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. The meeting took place in the historic Tougaloo College Chapel.
The meeting allowed Tougaloo College and the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation to engage in a productive dialogue with Senator Wicker. The esteemed Senator took the time to learn about the College’s ongoing initiatives, research projects, and workforce development efforts.
Tougaloo College is excited to partner with the newly created 15th HBCU University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), a strategic United States Department of Defense (DoD) research program to maintain essential engineering and technology capabilities critical to building a stronger nation. “Senator Roger Wicker’s recent visit to the campus was an opportunity to hear and see firsthand the continued work the institution is doing to help strengthen the state of Mississippi’s economy. Tougaloo is among the top 25 U.S. institutions that graduate students who earn their Ph.D. degrees in science and engineering disciplines. We are grateful for the opportunity to be at the table to collaborate with other knowledge organizations to offer solutions to meet the needs of the DoD while helping increase diversity. We appreciate Senator Wickers’ commitment to helping Tougaloo increase its research capacity, which will contribute to economic progress throughout the state of Mississippi and beyond,” said Tougaloo College President Dr. Donzell Lee.
During the meeting, Tougaloo College shared its vision for innovative research, workforce development, and educational programs. The College’s dedication to fostering intellectual growth, cultural enrichment, and workforce development was well-received by Senator Wicker.
The Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation, which plays a vital role in supporting the College’s research initiatives, highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and government in promoting advancements in various fields within the defense industry. The Foundation demonstrated its commitment to innovation and the pursuit of research and development opportunities.
Tougaloo College was included in the newly formed HBCU University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) consortium earlier this year. The HBCU UARC is funded by the United States Air Force.
“Being a member of the HBCU UARC consortium provides an excellent opportunity for the College to significantly increase its research and contract portfolio. We look forward to working with Senator Wicker and his staff to secure research grants and contracts from the Department of Defense, Air Force, and other military services,” said John Rosenthall, President of the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation. “For every research or contract dollar the college receives, it also receives additional funds that can be allocated to important uses, including faculty support, student recruiting, and infrastructure enhancement.”
Senator Wicker is the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Armed Services, the oversight committee for the Department of Defense and military services. The Senator agreed to have open lines of communication between his staff, Tougaloo College, and the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation. “These frequent interactions will allow the College and the Research Foundation to gain greater insights into the Department of Defense’s problems, challenges, and opportunities, and hence improve our capacity to present winning solutions,” added Rosenthall.
All parties expressed their enthusiasm for working together toward shared goals of education, research, and workforce development.
“It was great to be back at Tougaloo College and see all that they are doing to make Mississippi a better place. It is clear that the faculty and staff are working hard to expand their reach, and I look forward to working with them to support our national security and enhance the strong research and development community in our state,” Wicker said.
Tougaloo College and the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation extend their heartfelt gratitude to Sen. Roger F. Wicker for his visit and his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote progress and positive change.