The Eller College of Business and Public Administration is very fortunate to have many corporate partners and friends. During the 2001-- 2002 fund year, the Honeywell Corporation reinforced its commitment to the College by donating over $9 million in computer software patents and over $60,000 in annual support to the College. On June 3rd, 2002, Louis Chavez, Vice President/General Manger, and Tony Lovato, Engineering Science Manager, presented a check in the amount of $90,000 to President Peter Likins for the benefit of the Eller College and the College of Engineering and Mines. Just days later, Management Information System's faculty member, Therani Madhusudan, informed the College that Honeywell intended to donate software patents valued at approximately $9.2 million to the College.

Prior to accepting a faculty position in the MIS department, Professor Madhusudan worked for Honeywell from 1997 to 2000. During his tenure, he developed and delivered JAVA-based SW distributed architecture for knowledge-based design of aircraft wheels and brakes involving large-scale knowledge acquisition and knowledge management and through his contacts, Dr. Madhusudan convinced Honeywell to donate these patent rights to the Eller College. He was convinced the College could benefit from this gift.

Right now, Dr. Madhusudan is working with MBA students from the MIS department and the Karl Eller Center and the Berger Entrepreneurship Program developing a business plan to bring this technology to the marketplace. Through this gift, MIS faculty and students will have the opportunity to enhance and develop new applications for this software in the areas of knowledge-based systems for automation of engineering and business processes and our MBA students have the opportunity to create a business that will market and distribute this E-Commerce technology. If these groups are successful, not only will the faculty and students profit, but as the patent holder the Eller College will benefit from any financial success.

Successful or not, Honeywell's gift provides Eller students with an unique opportunity to take a product, improve on it, develop a business plan, secure capital and then bring that product to the marketplace. What better way to prepare students for life after graduation? We are proud to call Honeywell an Eller College Business Partner.