PSU receives $2.5M for energy research

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State says its department of industrial and manufacturing engineering has received a $2.5 million donation from anonymous donors that will support energy research.

The Centre Daily Times reports the university announced the donation Thursday. It will establish a faculty chair and the money will be made available to the person selected for that position.

Department head Paul Griffin said the money will pay for new energy courses and equipment. It also will help develop an annual workshop and support students working in the field, he said.

School officials say the donation comes from an alumnus of the department and his wife. They did not want to be identified.