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Lafayette Reporter

Friday, November 1, 2024

State funding paves way for new College of Engineering building


The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is laying the groundwork for  construction of a 70,000-square-foot building for its College of  Engineering that will provide for enhanced instruction, and improved  research and technology development capabilities.

Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, announced plans for the  academic building during the State of the University address on  Wednesday. The presentation to faculty and staff members is held each  fall semester and marks the beginning of the new academic year.

The College of Engineering is a nationally recognized leader in both traditional and emerging  renewable energy sources; advanced materials and manufacturing; water  management; bioengineering; and secure smart systems, Savoie said. “The  new engineering classroom building will enable the college to take that  leadership to a new level.”

“It will be an unambiguous statement that this University is  preparing its students to engineer a future that is strong, smart and  sustainable,” he added.

The Louisiana Legislature recently allocated $15 million for the  planned building. The structure, which is projected to cost about $50  million, will be constructed and operated with an additional $35 million  in private and public funds.

“It will offer a contemporary, student-centered facility that will  encourage interactive and interdisciplinary collaborations among  students and faculty in the college’s multiple departments, and between  the college and business and industry partners,” Savoie said.

Amenities planned for the new engineering building include:

  • smart classrooms;
  • a “maker space” with equipment and technology for student development of prototypes and projects;
  • the Mosing Student Center for Outreach and Career Development;
  • a student excellence center;
  • areas for study, tutoring and mentoring;
  • an auditorium;
  • conference rooms; and
  • offices and lounges for student organizations.
Dr. Ahmed Khattab, dean of the College of Engineering, said the  building will constitute “a cutting-edge learning environment that will  produce well-rounded, career-ready engineers and technologists who meet  the needs for current and future engineering and technology  professions.”

Funds raised to assist that effort will be part of the largest comprehensive fundraising initiative in UL Lafayette history. Together: The Campaign for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette aims  to raise $500 million. Among the campaign’s priorities: the renovation,  construction and maintenance of academic spaces, including labs and  classrooms.

The new engineering building will be situated on the western edge of  campus next to Madison and Rougeou halls – the college’s other two  buildings. Its construction will augment a renovation to Madison Hall,  which is being carried out with $20 million in state funding.

Madison Hall, which opened in 1957, will be transformed into a  state-of-the-art space used primarily for teaching labs and research.  Rougeou Hall, which was built in 1988, will continue to house classrooms  and other academic spaces.

“As a whole, the improvements represent an investment in the  strategic growth of campus, and coincide with the college’s evolving,  innovative approach to education and research,” Khattab said.

To support construction of the College of Engineering’s new academic  building, contact Rebecca Doucet, interim associate vice president for  Development at rebecca.doucet@louisiana.edu or (337) 482-6713.

Learn more about the Together Campaign at together.louisiana.edu. View a video rendering of the planned College of Engineering building.

Photo caption: UL Lafayette’s College of Engineering  will expand its footprint on campus with construction of a  70,000-square-foot academic building that will be situated near its  other two buildings – Madison and Rougeou halls. Submitted rendering

Original source can be found here.

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