SUFFOLK
Years from now, Mike McGinnis may point to a phone call to his office last October as the start of a watershed moment in his world of modeling and simulation.
The call came from a staffer with U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-3rd District. The Congressman wanted to know if McGinnis could help write legislation to fund new modeling and simulation programs across the country.
That legislation - to provide almost $40 million in grants - is now authorized and waiting for funding.
On Tuesday, Scott and fellow Hampton Roads representatives Randy Forbes and Thelma Drake visited the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center to herald the bill's movement through Congress.
"This is an absolute visionary burst for this industry," said McGinnis, the executive director of VMASC.
The legislation provides for minimum grants of $750,000 to establish or enhance modeling and simulation programs at colleges and universities. The schools would match 25 percent of the funding.
Forbes, R-4th, and Drake, R-2nd, both co sponsors of the bill, and Scott expressed confidence that the legislation will be funded. McGinnis said he hopes a task force will have the groundwork laid to begin the flow of funds in two years.
O nly three schools in the country offer graduate programs in modeling and simulation, McGinnis said. Old Dominion University is one.
McGinnis said the legislation could do more than anything before it to accelerate the development of modeling and simulation in the United States.
"Instead of three we could have 30," he said.
Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
