In anticipation of its 150th anniversary, the College of Engineering kicked off to the alumni, community, and corporations its $12 million development campaign on October 22, 1987. John W. Fisher, chairman emeritus of the Ball Corporation in Muncie, Illinois, served as national chairman of the campaign. The campaign presented itself as a way to bridge the gap between education and the technological needs of society. Funds were sought for the purchase of technical and scientific equipment, for faculty development and general academic support, for funding of new and current research programs, and for fellowships and scholarships.