Unprecedented Gathering of University Research Firepower

Last week on Feb. 20, The MEK Group was privileged to bring together -- some say for the first time -- provosts, vice provosts, technology deans and VPs of engagement with the senior Technology Transfer professionals from the $2 billion Naval Surface Warfare Center.

With all of the current talk of recession swirling around, it was refreshing - if not inspiring - to see and hear the astonishing technology advances currently underway at major universities throughout Indiana. As the group met for the all-day conference at the Columbia Club in downtown Indianapolis, there was no talk or thought of recession. There was, however, a great deal of discussion about commercial applications of nanotechnology, micro-electronics, space exploration and lightweight composites for aircraft.

As Duane Embree, technical director for NSWC Crane, remarked, it was "the beginning of a new era."

Sponsored by the WestGate @ Crane Technology Park (a MEK client - http://www.westgatecrane.com/), the event drew senior representatives, engineering deans and research scientists from Notre Dame, Purdue, IU, Rose-Hulman, Ivy Tech, ISU, Ball State and others.

In my 25+ year career, I've had the privilege of working with major officials and events - including U.S. Presidents and sitting queens - but this one was special -- humbling and exciting at the same time. Inside Indiana Business (http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=27929&Image.x=24&Image.y=12) and other media outlets carried coverage.

The MEK Group is presently coordinating follow-up activities, so we'll see how this major effort continues to foster growth and bear commercialization fruit.

Fortuna favet fortibus.