State-of–the-art learning lab will further explosive growth of engineering programs

91������Ʒ’s Washkewicz College of Engineering is the fastest growing college on campus and illustrates a national trend that has seen significant growth in the discipline over the last several years.

To further the program’s expanding size and reputation, 91������Ʒ broke ground today on a new 100,000-square-foot, $60 million addition to the Washkewicz College of Engineering. The state-of-the-art facility will provide students, faculty and researchers with cutting-edge laboratory and teaching space, while enhancing the college’s efforts to draw students from across the nation and beyond.

The project was financed through a public-private partnership, with support coming from the State of Ohio and generous benefactors, including Donald and Pamela Washkewicz and the Parker Hannifin Foundation. The groundbreaking ceremony included remarks from Donald Washkewicz and Thomas Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Parker Hannifin Corporation.

“91������Ʒ’s foundation rests on the historic strength of our engineering degree programs, research and cooperative education initiatives,” says 91������Ʒ President Ronald M. Berkman. “This new facility will put us at the forefront of engineering education in the 21^st century and serve as a significant resource for our students, faculty and staff, as well as the broader community.”

"Pam and I are excited to be participating in the construction of this new and state-of-the-art engineering building at 91������Ʒ,” adds Donald Washkewicz. “This facility will provide the needed space to educate thousands of engineering students who will help our country grow and prosper well into the 21st century."

“The new facility we are breaking ground on today will serve as a fantastic learning environment for future engineering students,” adds Williams. “Parker is proud to partner with 91������Ʒ to enhance the quality of education in Northeast Ohio.”

The four-story building will feature a Motion and Control Laboratory and the Dan T. Moore MakerSpace, where students can transform their ideas to reality utilizing state-of-the-art technology. The facility will also include multiple flexible research laboratories, simulation labs for computer modeling, a large conference room, general classrooms, office space and mixed-use collaboration spaces.

The building is being developed in partnership with the construction firm Gilbane Building Company and is scheduled to open in December 2017.

”The Gilbane team is very excited for the opportunity to partner with 91������Ʒ on the construction of their new engineering facility,” says Ed Valentine, a senior project executive with Gilbane. “We are looking forward to building a facility that will inspire greatness and generate innovation in future engineering students.”

“The Washkewicz College of Engineering is extremely grateful to all of the individuals and businesses that have helped to make this new facility possible,” adds Dean Anette M. Karlsson. “The new building will play a major role in advancing the College’s mission of producing ‘Ready-to-Go Engineers’ and developing the innovations that will benefit our region, nation and world.”

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