Winter 1997

Construction begins on Myers Center for Technological Research

A new $6.7 million technology center under construction at Rose-Hulman will provide students with more opportunities to learn by solving real-world problems, and expand the Institute's efforts to help business and industry become more competitive.

Groundbreaking ceremonies took place Nov. 7 for the John T. Myers Center for Technological Research with Industry.

The center will help create a model for project-based engineering and science education programs, according to Rose-Hulman President Samuel Hulbert.

"One of Rose-Hulman's educational goals is to have every student involved in working on the development of a product or process for an external customer," Hulbert said during the groundbreaking program.

"More students will get the opportunity to experience the thrill of using the engineering and science they've learned in the classroom and lab to solve a real-world problem.

"This new facility will provide 40,000 square feet dedicated to projects with business, government and industry," he told the campus community, alumni, local business, government and industrial leaders attending the groundbreaking ceremonies.

The two-story building is designed without load-bearing partitions to allow work areas to be changed for a variety of technical and scientific projects, says Wayne Spary, Rose-Hulman vice president for facilities operations.

It will house product process development labs for large-scale projects, specialized equipment areas to support product development labs, and multiple engineering project labs where 50 projects could be under way at the same time.

The Center will be located east of Moench Hall and connected to its northeast corner. The L-shaped Center will wrap around the Rotz Lab which will be remodeled to meet future needs. Construction is expected to take 12 months to complete.

Every academic department at Rose-Hulman will benefit from the multipurpose Center, Hulbert said. It will also expand technical services programs such as the Technology and Entrepreneurial Development Program, the Technical Assistance and Services Center, and the centers for applied optics studies, applied life sciences and industrial statistics.

Business leader says Center will benefit students and industry

Bob McLaughlin, operations manager at the Ampacet Corp. plant in Terre Haute, says the Center comes at a time when American industry needs more help to compete globally.

"Projects completed in the Center will increase the transfer of new technologies and ideas that will be vital to companies such as Ampacet.

"Industry needs new engineers who can make an immediate impact, and add value quickly to their company. By expanding its projects-based educational programs, Rose-Hulman is meeting the needs of its students and industry."

Center named in Myers' honor

The new facility is named in honor of former Indiana 7th District Congressman John T. Myers, who retired last December after 30 years in Congress. Rose-Hulman is located in the 7th Congressional District. "He shares our vision of the educational and economic benefits that will result from the projects to be completed in this Center," Hulbert stated. "It will house labs where our students will learn by developing and testing new products and processes," he noted.

Funding for the Center was included in the 1996-97 fiscal year budget for the United States Department of Energy and the Army Corps of Engineers.

"This facility will enable Rose-Hulman to help more business and government sponsors increase our nation's competitiveness," Myers said. " The importance of the activities that will occur in the Center illustrate the national reputation Rose-Hulman has earned as a leader in undergraduate engineering, mathematics and science education.

Center meets Rose-Hulman strategic goals

The Center will help Rose-Hulman achieve one of the goals of its $100 million Vision to be the Best fund-raising campaign.

"This is the fourth major facility improvement project since the campaign was launched two and a half years ago," Hulbert noted.

"The projects total $41 million in new facilities to better prepare our students to meet the challenges that lie ahead. We're continuing to achieve the recommendations set forth by the Commission on the Future of Rose-Hulman."

— by David Piker