Fueling excellence in engineering research

A $1 million gift from Belle Stumberg Berg ’71 and Donald A. Berg ’70, ’77 will support innovative problem-solving and creative discovery in the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering. The couple’s gift will establish the Belle and Donald Berg Endowed Research Excellence Fund, which will provide financial support for the research needs of Lyle School faculty.

“Faculty research lies at the heart of the Lyle School. It offers our students avenues for learning while creating real-world impact that stretches far beyond our campus,” said Paul Krueger, dean ad interim of the Lyle School of Engineering. “We are grateful to the Bergs for creating new opportunities to innovate here at SMU.”

Faculty research at Lyle spans a wide variety of issues, including ways to apply photonics in military and health care settings, as well as improving response and evacuation procedures during natural disasters. The Berg Endowed Research Excellence Fund will further the continued growth of the University’s research enterprise. Since 2005, SMU has moved past 55 other universities in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as a result of its research initiatives.

The Bergs are staunch supporters of engineering education and research at SMU. Donald Berg holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University. The couple previously gave $50,000 in April 2022 to fund technology upgrades to a Lyle School classroom as part of a pilot to better support and attract outstanding graduate students.

“Belle and I are excited to be a part of the impact the Lyle School makes through research,” said Donald Berg. “We look forward to seeing how Lyle School faculty and students will explore bold ideas, find solutions to complex issues and impact the world beyond the SMU campus.”