A new partnership will give Missouri State University engineering students more opportunities to learn, compete and gain hands-on experience beyond the classroom.

Toth and Associates (TOTH) has committed $150,000 over five years to establish the Engineering Student Organization Fund for students in Missouri State’s cooperative engineering program.

Fueling student experiences

The fund will help cover costs for engineering student organizations, including competition registration, travel, materials and equipment.

Student organizations that may benefit include the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Formula SAE team and robotics organizations.

“Some of the most valuable experiences for young engineers happen outside the classroom,” said Adam Toth, president of Toth and Associates.

“When students work together to design something, build it, compete against other schools and solve problems when things don’t go as planned, they develop skills they’ll use throughout their careers. Springfield has been very good to our company, and we want to give Missouri State’s engineering students more opportunities to have those experiences right here in our community.”

A longstanding partnership

TOTH has supported the university and its engineering programs for years. The Springfield-based firm regularly provides internships to Missouri State students and has hired nearly 50 graduates as full-time engineers.

The company previously supported engineering students by funding dedicated student spaces in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center. The new fund expands that relationship by providing ongoing support directly to student organizations and their activities.

“This partnership with TOTH is a tremendous investment in our engineering students and in the future of the profession,” said Dr. Theresa Odun-Ayo, director of Missouri State’s cooperative engineering program.

“This fund will give our students the opportunity to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it through competitions, conferences, design projects and other hands-on experiences. These opportunities help students build technical skills, teamwork, leadership and confidence while connecting them with professionals and the broader engineering community. We’re grateful to TOTH for helping make these experiences more accessible to our students.”

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