Tougaloo, Mississippi — Aug. 4, 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 be a member of the Research Institute for Tactical Autonomy (RITA) University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), also known as the HBCU UARC. This is the 15th UARC and the first hosted by a Historically Black College or University. The RITA UARC is a strategic United States Department of Defense (DoD) research program to maintain essential engineering and technology capabilities critical to building a stronger nation. The RITA UARC is sponsored 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 funds that can be allocated to important uses, including faculty support, student recruiting, and infrastructure enhancement.”
“Senator Wicker’s visit to our campus was an excellent opportunity to see firsthand our work’s impact on our students, community, and state that strengthen and diversify our local and state economy. Known for our stellar science, engineering, and technology academic programs, Tougaloo is a recognized institution that graduates students who earn their Ph.D. degrees in science and engineering disciplines, emerging talent needed for a diverse workforce. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with other knowledge institutions to harness our collective expertise to find solutions to today’s most pressing challenges facing the world today through research. We appreciate Senator Wickers’ commitment to helping Tougaloo increase its research capacity, which will contribute to economic progress that benefits Mississippi and beyond,” said Tougaloo College President Dr. Donzell Lee.
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.
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.
About Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation
The Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation (TCRDF) was established in 2016 to enhance HBCUs' research and contract capabilities. TCRDF’s mission is to help Tougaloo College and other HBCUs increase the research grants and contract dollars they receive from the federal government and the private sector. TCRDF forms and manages research and contract partnerships between HBCUs and other entities, including University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), Majority Serving Institutions, federal contractors, and other organizations.
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