UC gets $420 million gift

The University of Cincinnati received a $420.7 million gift thanks to the hard work of two people who see the world very differently.

Sam Anand, mechanical engineering professor at UC's College of Engineering and Brigid O'Kane, an associate design professor in the College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning, or DAAP, began applying for the donation about two years ago. They submitted a 90-page proposal that focused on the collaboration between the two colleges, which will be the prime benefactors of the donation.

The gift is the largest in the school's history.

The gift of in-kind contributions of cutting-edge computer software, hardware and technology support comes from PACE, or the Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education, a consortium of General Motors, Inc., EDS, Hewlett-Packard Co., Siemens PLM Software and Sun Microsystems, said Greg Hand, UC spokesman.

Chapman-Moore said demonstrating "the great collaboration" between the two colleges was critical to UC being chosen for the donation.