LSU College of Engineering Exceeds $100 Million Public/Private Partnership Goal
February 3, 2014 | LSU Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
$52.5 million dollars raised for the Breaking New Ground capital campaign
BATON ROUGE –LSU’s College of Engineering announced the success of a record breaking capital campaign to enhance and expand LSU’s engineering college. Publicly launched in April 2013, more than 450 individual and corporate donors pledged $52.5 million in private funds, fulfilling the College’s commitment to a $100 million public/private partnership to renovate Patrick F. Taylor Hall and construct a new chemical engineering addition. The campaign concluded three months ahead of schedule.
On October 2, 2012, Governor Bobby Jindal punctuated the role of LSU’s College of Engineering in Louisiana’s economic development initiatives by announcing the support of $50 million in capital outlay funding for the $100 million project provided that the college raised the remaining funds through private donations.
“We are grateful for the hundreds of donors who stepped up to the plate to make this partnership a reality,” said Jindal. “Experts say they have never seen an industrial expansion like the one currently under way in our state, but they also say we are going to need to train and attract even more people to fill the demand for all the jobs coming to Louisiana. That’s why we are laser focused on making sure we have the tools to prepare our students so they can fill the jobs in the pipeline. This partnership will help accomplish that goal.”
The $100 million renovation and expansion will support Louisiana’s engineering workforce needs. Upon completion, the college expects to graduate 1,150 engineers, computer scientists and construction managers annually.
“The engineering expansion is an investment in our students and their careers,” said President and Chancellor F. King Alexander. “It will also attract the top faculty who will work with students to solve some of our state's greatest problems. The speedy success of the campaign demonstrates the confidence of our alumni and industry in LSU Engineering.”
In an unprecedented show of support, alumni, donors and industry partners donated $52.5 million dollars – making the Breaking New Ground capital campaign the most successful, short-term fundraising effort in the history of LSU. Twenty of the gifts received were for $1 million dollars or more.
“This is one of the great moments in the history of LSU's College of Engineering,” said LSU College of Engineering Dean Rick Koubek. “A moment defined by the generosity and support of a remarkable group of donors along with the commitment from Governor Jindal and the state. The momentum of their investment will position the college to take a leading part in securing Louisiana's position as a national leader in research and education.”
Colman and Partners, Perkins + Will was selected as the architectural firm to transform LSU's engineering campus. Construction is slated to begin in the fall of 2014, with an estimated completion scheduled for fall 2017. With the renovation, as well as the addition of a new chemical engineering structure, the total amount of academic space for the LSU College of Engineering impacted by this project is 380,000 square feet.
Updated labs, combined with the quality education already offered at LSU, will provide students more practical, hands-on experience to better prepare them to enter the global marketplace.
“Improved teaching and research spaces, an enhanced senior design capstone space and engineering projects on display will inspire and reinforce a sense of pride and motivation for students,” said Madison Longwell, first year Biological Engineering student. “LSU is breaking new ground! With improved recruiting, facilities, and student preparedness, the LSU College of Engineering will have a positive impact on the State of Louisiana, and the nation as a whole.”
About Louisiana State University’s College of Engineering
Founded in 1908, the LSU College of Engineering offers eleven undergraduate degree programs and confers approximately 650 bachelor’s degrees per year, ranking it in the top 10 percent nationally for graduates. In 2013, it became the largest academic college in the LSU System and the fifth fastest growing engineering college in the nation. One hundred and thirty five faculty members engage in education, research, and commercialization with a strategic focus on research indigenous to Louisiana: energy and environmental sustainability, and natural and built infrastructure.
###
Mimi LaValle
LSU College of Engineering
225-578-5706
225-439-5633
mlavall@lsu.edu