WHY WE GIVE
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Look no further than the Lovich family tree to illustrate the diversity of careers available to Technology graduates. Brothers Milen, Tim and Luke graduated from the College of Technology with majors in what is now the Department of Technology Leadership & Innovation. Tim ’77 and Luke ’80 both majored in organizational leadership and supervision. Milen ’77 earned his teaching certificate in industrial education. All three point to the co-op system, which combines academics and work experience, as defining moments in their educations. “I would attend Purdue on a full-time basis and then work at an apprenticeship in carpentry at U. S. Steel,” Milen said. “The system assured I would have the practical, hands-on subject matter background, philosophical indoctrinations, and the applicable education tools to structure and teach industrial education and general education classes.” He is an industrial technology teacher for Independent School district 2397, Le Sueur-Henderson High School in Minnesota. Luke and Tim also agreed that their co-op experiences with manufacturing companies helped them secure their first jobs out of college. Tim started work full-time for Senco Products, his co-op company, immediately after college, in their new medical devices division. The division was acquired by Johnson & Johnson, where he is now research and development project director with Ethicon Endo-Surgery (part of a Johnson&Johnson). “All of my roles have relied heavily on my OLS training and education,” he said. “They are a direct link to my current role where effectively managing core teams and extended teams on a global basis is the essence of the OLS degree.” Luke is a module leader for John Deere Harvester Works. He helps organize people, facilities and engineering systems. He appreciated his professors and their approach to teaching. “OLS classes are on the practical end of the business world,” he said. “They had great insight on how businesses are run.” Thirty years later, each can still name their favorite professors (Jim “Doc” Windle, Greg Barnes, William Mason) and point to Purdue experiences that helped shape them. It’s these reasons that they enjoy meeting up every year at Purdue Homecoming and why they give what they can monetarily to the University. “It’s my way of recognizing the University for preparing me for my career of close to 35 years with a world-class company,” Tim said. (Photo: College of Technology Dean Gary Bertoline meets with Milen Lovich, Tim Lovich, and Luke Lovich at the Homecoming President's Council tailgate gathering. Photo by Vincent Walters)