Toshiba/Westinghouse $2 million gift aimed at energy, environment

University Park, Pa.  --  Aiming to boost research relating to energy and environmental issues, and encourage talented students to consider careers in these areas, Toshiba Corp. and Westinghouse Electric Co., majority-owned by Toshiba, have committed $2 million to support a variety of Penn State programs. The University will receive the gift in the form of annual contributions of $500,000 over the next four years.

Toshiba Corp. is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of consumer and industrial products and systems, including electronic and electrical products, information systems, power systems, and home appliances.

Pittsburgh-based Westinghouse Electric Co., a group company of Toshiba, is a recognized pioneer in nuclear power and a leading supplier of nuclear plant products and technologies to utilities worldwide, and provides the technological basis for approximately half of the nuclear plants in operation around the world.

"We are deeply grateful for this generous commitment from Toshiba and Westinghouse," said University President Graham B. Spanier. "It takes to a new level a partnership between Penn State and Westinghouse that dates back many years.

"These additional resources will help us to advance knowledge in business and technological fields, and will give our students important new learning experiences. The ultimate beneficiary is society, as it gains new products and services, and highly talented and trained leaders in a host of professional fields."

Spanier noted that the University has long been a recipient of major research grants from Westinghouse Electric. The company employs nearly a thousand Penn State alumni-more than from any other university-and continues to have a strong annual recruiting presence on campus. Last year, 28 percent of Westinghouse's new professional hires were Penn State graduates.

Aris Candris, Westinghouse president and CEO, said the contributions reflect Westinghouse's commitment to attracting and developing the young engineering and business professionals necessary for the nuclear power industry to achieve its full potential.

"Currently, commercial nuclear power plants generate 16 percent of the world's electricity," he noted. "In the United States, 20 percent of the electricity is generated at nuclear plants.

"Even conservative projections indicate that many more will be built over the next 20 years, and that the existing fleet will be upgraded. This means Westinghouse and the entire nuclear power industry will continue to offer challenging and rewarding employment opportunities for young people throughout the Americas and in Europe and Asia."

Masahiko Fukakushi, Toshiba Corp.'s corporate vice president - corporate representative/Americas and president and CEO, Toshiba Nuclear Energy Holdings (US), underlined the significance of the partnership with Penn State.

"Toshiba Group engages in diverse businesses worldwide, and we are committed to making positive contributions to the development of society and the communities in which we operate," he said. "We are particularly concerned with securing a stable energy supply that can support sustained development of the global economy over the long term, and in tackling environmental issues. Programs with Penn State will help us to advance these objectives."