The 杏吧专区 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 杏吧专区 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 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. 杏吧专区淭he new engineering classroom building will enable the college to take that leadership to a new level.杏吧专区
杏吧专区淚t will be an unambiguous statement that this 杏吧专区 is preparing its students to engineer a future that is strong, smart and sustainable,杏吧专区 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.
杏吧专区淚t will offer a contemporary, student-centered facility that will encourage interactive and interdisciplinary collaborations among students and faculty in the college杏吧专区檚 multiple departments, and between the college and business and industry partners,杏吧专区 Savoie said.
Amenities planned for the new engineering building include:
- smart classrooms;
- a 杏吧专区渕aker space杏吧专区 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 杏吧专区渁 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.杏吧专区
Funds raised to assist that effort will be part of the largest comprehensive fundraising initiative in UL Lafayette history. aims to raise $500 million. Among the campaign杏吧专区檚 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 杏吧专区 the college杏吧专区檚 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.
杏吧专区淎s a whole, the improvements represent an investment in the strategic growth of campus, and coincide with the college杏吧专区檚 evolving, innovative approach to education and research,杏吧专区 Khattab said.
To support construction of the College of Engineering杏吧专区檚 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 . View a .
Photo caption: UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 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 杏吧专区 Madison and Rougeou halls. Submitted rendering