Funds in Alan Kulwicki’s name will enhance engineering education
It’s only fitting that Alan Kulwicki’s name is associated with the education and development of future racing engineers.
After all, he was an engineer himself. He got his degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and later became a NASCAR driver.
In 1986, when he came to NASCAR, he was immediately considered something of an odd duck. First, no other driver had a college degree. Second, Kulwicki came to the tracks toting a briefcase, for crying out loud.
Kulwicki made good use of his education, which a guy who owned his own, small-time team had to do. He had to do everything - and being an engineer certainly helped.
In 1992, through his determination, tenacity, attitude and skill, he became the only driver with a degree in engineering to win the championship in what is now known as the Sprint Cup Series.
On April 1, 1993, he died in an airplane crash in Blountville, Tenn.
His NASCAR legacy is secure, and it has now expanded greatly into higher education.
It was recently announced that a trust fund created by Thelma Kulwicki, Alan’s stepmother, will benefit the Motorsports Engineering Program at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Valued at $1.9 million, it will be used for student scholarships and to construct a new motorsports engineering facility on the campus.
It will be known as the Alan D. Kulwicki Motorsports Laboratory.
The Kulwicki family is also contributing nearly $630,000 to Alan’s alma mater that will also be used for scholarships and to create the Alan Kulwicki Memorial Student Center in the university’s engineering building.
These are not the first times Kulwicki’s name has been attached to the advancement of engineering education. UNCC’s Alan Kulwicki Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to promising high school students for years.
There are driver foundations that do marvelous charitable work. They help the ill, the disadvantaged, the needy, animals and many others. They are, and should be, recognized and appreciated for what they accomplish.
But Kulwicki’s name is part of something different. It’s all about education. The funds provided will greatly enhance the engineering education environment at two universities and provide the means for many students to be a part of them.
They will benefit young people who want to be automotive and racing engineers.
That can only be good for the future of NASCAR.
I think Kulwicki would heartily approve.
