Stanley Black & Decker donated $45,000 to the University of Connecticut School of Engineering’s Bridge program last Friday, February 19th, according to the UConn Foundation.

The Bridge program provides support to underrepresented students in the College of Engineering with a five-week summer program that includes many hours of calculus, chemistry, physics and computer programing, Grace Merritt said.

Stanley Black & Decker provides tools and storage, commercial electronic security and engineered fastening systems, according to their website. Kevin McLaughlin, Bridge’s program leader, said that Stanley Black & Decker chose UConn for their donation because the Bridge program is one of the best in the country.

The graduation rate of underrepresented students is around 25 percent and the graduating rate for all engineering students is at least 50 percent, McLaughlin said.

The Bridge program, however, sees a 69 percent graduation rate.

“I want people to believe in the system,” McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin said the Bridge program helps build confidence among its underrepresented engineering students.

“If you don’t feel like you’re a good fit […] it’s easy for you to believe that you don’t have quote…unquote what it takes,” McLaughlin said.

The Bridge program engages in “industry tours and a variety of challenges and team building activities,” Merritt said.

The Bridge program has been around for 29 years and saw a 26 percent increase in graduation rates among involved students since McLaughlin took over the program 14 years ago, McLaughlin said.

“I think it is because I am the first director who was an engineer and a teacher,” McLaughlin said. “I get closer to the students than the other directors.”

McLaughlin said that part of succeeding in engineering is having good friends.

“If you do have very good friends, they are going to be there for you when you need them,” McLaughlin said.

Therefore, McLaughlin puts a lot of stress on the students in order for them to bond, he said.

“I put these kids under a lot of stress for a reason,” he said. “You bond with people under the same stress.”

The press release noted the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) principles.

“Both UConn and Stanley are seeking to increase the number and quality of STEM professionals, particularly those who will bring diversity to the workforce,” according to the press release.

McLaughlin said that back when Greeks had philosopher kings, they believed a “powerful mind could reason out everything.”

“It doesn’t work that way,” he said. “You need to measure.”

And McLaughlin exposes the students to a variety of engineering-related experiences.

During the summer program, students are in classes Monday through Thursday. Students spend Friday visiting industries to see what engineers do after they graduate, McLaughlin said.

“They might go and work for these companies,” he said.

But Bridge students also have some fun.

“They do a lot of activities that are not academic, more social, more fun,” McLaughlin said.

On the weekends, Bridge students engage in community service.

Since the Bridge program focuses on underrepresented students, the diversity of the students involved is an aspect that is important to both Merritt and McLaughlin.

Merritt said having a broader base of people to solve problems helps to show different viewpoints.

McLaughlin said it is about listening and respecting others.

“When you are ignorant of the cultures of other people, I think that leads to miscommunication,” he said. “You need to know all the people that are involved.”

McLaughlin said the program’s tutors serve an important role in the student experience.

The tutors are role models and mentors for the students; they help them with their homework and tests.

The program’s mantra is “attitude and effort…The sooner you learn it, the better off you are,” McLaughlin said.

A representative from Stanley Black & Decker was unavailable for comment.