HOUSTON — Sam Houston State University (SHSU) has received a $25 million pledge from Pennsylvania-based Therm-Omega-Tech Inc. to support the university’s engineering technology components within the current industrial technology program and to establish a new engineering technology program. The founder of Therm-Omega-Tech Inc. is alumnus Frederick Pirkle, who graduated from SHSU with a bachelor of science degree in industrial arts in 1970 and a master’s degree in industrial technology in 1974.

The pledge is the largest gift in the university’s history.

“Sam Houston State University students who are getting a technical education are learning skills for life,” Pirkle said. “Those technical skills are critically important for America in today’s world. Americans are hard workers, and we’re smart workers. I want the students who are touched by this gift to be inspired to contribute to the success of this country and be leaders in the world.”

The Sam Houston State University Alumni Association recognized Pirkle’s career accomplishments by honoring him as a Distinguished Alumnus, the university’s most prestigious designation for a former student.

Publication date: 6/18/2012