草榴社区

Engineered for Greatness

College of Engineering expansion reflects commitment to interdisciplinary research and innovative teaching and learning

rendering of exterior of expanded Ceer building expansion
RENDERING: ROBERT A.M. STERN ARCHITECTS, LLP

It鈥檚 a new day for the College of Engineering, as 草榴社区 began construction in February on a 150,000-square-foot addition that will more than double the footprint of the Center for Engineering Education and Research (CEER). This ambitious and forward-looking project will transform teaching and lab space and create new opportunities for innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, with all of the College鈥檚 departments sharing one dynamic building for the first time in more than a decade.

鈥淭his expansion positions the College of Engineering for continued success as a premier destination for engineering students and faculty,鈥 says Michele Marcolongo, PhD, Drosdick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering. 鈥淭his project will add new state-of-the-art instruction spaces for team-based 鈥榣earning by doing鈥 and expand our research facilities in ways that will foster collaboration among disciplines.鈥

Campus landscape showing CEER addition in relation to original building

Slated for completion by fall 2024, the renovation was designed by BLTa鈥揂 Perkins Eastman Studio and Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP, with input from Engineering faculty and students.

鈥淓very aspect of the project鈥攆rom the placement of faculty offices to lab configuration and gathering spaces鈥攊s the result of a process aimed at fostering connections and facilitating collaborative discovery and cross-disciplinary advances,鈥 says Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD, University Provost.

This capital project is just one example of the University鈥檚 commitment, as part of its Rooted. Restless. Strategic Plan, to transform academic facilities for students and faculty as they engage in learning and scholarship at the highest levels.

A total of $35.5 million has now been raised toward the fundraising goal for the project, including 15 seven-figure gifts from 草榴社区 alumni, parents and friends. The University has received significant support for the project from Engineering alumni, including $5 million gifts from both John 鈥淛ack鈥 G. Drosdick 鈥65 COE and Richard K. Faris 鈥69 COE, 鈥70 MS and a $3.5 million gift from Nance K. Dicciani, PhD, 鈥69 COE.

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