Purdue News
Purdue News
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September 2003 Donald W. and Catherine C. Feddersen
Donald W. and Catherine C. Feddersen live in Wellesley, Mass., where she recently founded an investment management firm and he works as a venture capitalist. A partner with Bessemer Venture Partners, Don Feddersen serves on the boards of directors of several other high-tech companies. From 1973 to 1977, he was president and CEO of Entrex Inc., where he built annual sales from $6 million to $55 million. From 1978 to 1984, he served as president and CEO of Applicon Inc., a leading supplier of computer-aided design equipment, increasing the company's annual sales from $18 million to $125 million. In 1984 he became a general partner in Charles River Ventures, which specializes in venture capital for high-technology companies.
In Feddersen's early career he developed data processing systems in the fledgling information technologies industry. Recognizing the great potential for using computers in design and manufacturing, he pioneered the development of the first generation of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing systems. He earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue in 1956 and received an honorary doctorate in 2001. He was named an Outstanding Mechanical Engineer by the school in 1991 and received the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award from the Schools of Engineering in 1985. He also is a member of the Mechanical Engineering Industrial Advisory Council and chairs the Mechanical Engineering Campaign Steering Committee. Don Feddersen, who grew up in Homewood, Ill., served as a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force from 1957 to 1960. He received a MBA from the University of Chicago in 1969. Catherine Feddersen recently founded Burke Capital, an investment management firm. Prior to starting Burke Capital, she worked for five years with Wellesley College, overseeing the school's investments. She is a native of Cinnaminson, N.J. She graduated from Wellesley College and also received an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to their current $2.5 million gift to Purdue, in 1998 the Feddersens gave the university a $3 million gift to establish the Feddersen Distinguished Professorship – the largest gift the Schools of Engineering had received at that time for an endowed professorship. The professorship supports research in melding mechanical engineering and emerging technologies, such as information technology. The Feddersens also support two faculty fellowships in the school. Their total support to Purdue is now more than $6 million. The current gift is part of the School of Mechanical Engineering's $128 million campaign. Funds raised in the campaign will go to new facilities for teaching and research, as well as student and faculty support. Writer: Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073, mholsapple@purdue.edu Related Web site: |
