In response to the editorial review of Ford's $5 million grant to Purdue, I would like to comment on how the concept of research is not very well understood by many people on campus. The dynamic of university-industry interaction is something of a mystery to most people who have not actually had a taste of research at a graduate level.

Definition: Research is the process of discovering new facts, interpretations and applications of phenomena observed, naturally or otherwise. It is not the rehashing of information, readily available in a library or on the Internet. That is know as a "literature search."

The other point that I would like to address is the insignificance of size of the grant that Ford made to the University. It is routine for universities of repute to receive donations of that magnitude, from industry and government agencies, for funding research in the sciences, engineering, medicine, management and the like. The donors do in most cases benefit directly or indirectly by their direct access to the knowledge and trained personnel generated by research funded by them.

Also, in most cases research goals coincide with what the donors are interested in, but then isn't viable research that which produces something useful to us all? I do not hear students complaining about lower fuel consumption or improved safety features (as an outcome of Purdue research) in Ford trucks that some of them may drive. I bet no one is comfortable with "Purdue University — Built Ford Tough" but if Ford wishes to ascribe "Ford Trucks — Built Purdue Tough," kudos to our researchers.