U News 1 | University of Alabama in Huntsville one step closer to having a major cybersecurity facility
The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has announced a transformative $10 million gift from an alumnus to establish the Noblitt Entrepreneurship Program.
From the University of Alabama in Huntsville:
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is one step closer to expanding facilities key to cybersecurity education, training, and research.
UAH received Stage II approval from the University of Alabama (UA) System Board of Trustees for the renovation of its Bevill Center, advancing the Center for Cybersecurity Research, Education, and Advanced Training. This project was one of three major UAH facilities projects discussed during the Board’s recent meeting on the campus of UAH, part of the UA System.
The project will transform 45,000 square feet of space on the first and second floors of the Bevill Center into a new interdisciplinary research and academic facility for the UAH Center for Cybersecurity Research, Education, and Advanced Training, expanding the research capabilities of the Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education (CCRE), and meeting the growing needs for a wide variety of cybersecurity-related disciplines. The Alabama State Legislature voted to appropriate $34.4 million of state supplemental funds toward the project.
From the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology:
The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has announced a transformative $10 million gift from alumnus Niles Noblitt and his wife, Nancy, to establish the Noblitt Entrepreneurship Program (NEP), a newly endowed initiative focused on fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and business-focused opportunities for students. The announcement was made during the college’s annual Sawmill Society weekend, a gathering of entrepreneurial alumni and students who network and mentor while learning more about the next generation of innovators at Rose-Hulman.
The NEP will provide students with education and hands-on experiences working with faculty on experiences related to entrepreneurship and the principles of the free market. Through this initiative, students will gain valuable insights into turning ideas into real-world solutions, reinforcing the problem-solving mindset that Rose-Hulman instills in its graduates.
Niles Noblitt is the former Board of Trustees Chair who earned a bachelor’s degree in biological engineering from Rose-Hulman in 1973 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering in 1996. He was a Co-Founder of Biomet Inc., a Warsaw, IN-based biomedical device company now known as Zimmer Biomet.
From the University of Michigan:
The University of Michigan (UofM) has announced the launch of a new virtual parking permit system utilizing license plate recognition technology, set to go live July 1. The system modernizes the traditional parking permit system by replacing physical parking permits with the convenience of using a vehicle’s license plate as a parking credential.
The move to virtual permits comes in response to feedback to the UofM’s Logistics, Transportation and Parking organization from the campus community seeking more flexibility in their parking options. This change also aligns with the university’s commitment to sustainability.
License plate recognition is a widely used technology that improves parking enforcement, increases compliance with parking regulations, and offers users greater convenience. Nearly all Big Ten universities and hospitals have implemented similar systems. A new online system for purchasing a virtual permit will be available starting May 1. Through this system, users can sign up for their desired virtual permit level and register their vehicle license plate number for FY 2026 parking permits.
From the Harvard Business School:
The Harvard Business School (HBS) class of 2025 has launched an investment fund. Known as Twenty25 Ventures, raises funds from the HBS Class of 2025 and invests in founders from the HBS Class of 2025. The fund has three requirements:
- At least one of the founders or co-founders must be a member of the HBS Class of 2025 and also hold a minimum of 10 percent equity in the start-up.
- The funding round must be led by a top tier venture capital firm from a predetermined list.
- The check size is from $10,000 to $50,000.
From Illinois State University:
1871 is a Chicago-based business incubator with a focus on technology. As a result of Illinois State University’s involvement with the Illinois Innovation Network, faculty and students are now able to take advantage of 1871’s programs and services. Over the past year, several members of the campus community have done just that.
Throughout the year, 1871 offers innovation labs. These events are described as “disruptive, industry-focused experiences, designed to connect innovators and maximize chances of high-impact collisions.” These labs help individuals accelerate the growth of their ideas and become more competitive by identifying solutions and partnerships. In 2025, 1871 is offering several Innovation Labs: climate tech, health tech, food tech, fintech, insurtech, sports and entertainment, construction, supply chain, Web 3, and arficial intelligence.
From Wayne State University:
Wayne State University alumnus James A. Anderson and his wife, Patricia, have made a $50 million gift to the university to accelerate research, entrepreneurship, and student success in the College of Engineering. In recognition of this historic investment, the college will be renamed the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering.
It is the largest single gift in Wayne State’s 157-year history and represents a lead gift for the university’s upcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign, expected to launch in fall 2026. This transformative gift will be focused on faculty support, including doctoral fellowships, undergraduate student experiences and a dean’s fund, which will empower the college to recruit more top faculty and Ph.D. students, driving faculty research in mobility, energy storage, artificial intelligence, and other rapidly growing fields. The gift will also strengthen student initiatives, creating a direct line between students and life-changing careers that drive economic growth and innovation, as reflected in the university’s Prosperity Agenda.
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