Gov. Bobby Jindal announced Monday the success of a fundraising campaign for renovations in Patrick F. Taylor Hall. Flanked by LSU President F. King Alexander and engineering dean Richard Koubek, Jindal also announced the construction of a new chemical engineering addition.
More than 450 private donors contributed $52.5 million in donations since the campaign began last April. All donations will be matched by funds from the state. The governor surprised attendees of the press conference by announcing the state would continue to match funds raised until the end of the donation period.
Mimi LaValle, communications director for the University College of Engineering, said the “Breaking New Ground” capital campaign was the most successful, short-term fundraising effort in the history of the University. Upon completion, the college expects to graduate 1,150 engineers, computer scientists and construction managers annually.
Mechanical engineering senior Scott Burke said he is excited about the project, and he thinks it is “a step in the right direction.” Burke also noted the building’s current labs were “a little bit small for the amount of students.”
Tim O’Young, an electrical engineering sophomore, said he will probably still be at the University by the time the project is completed, and he said the renovations and additions will be “really good for the state and school,” especially since his current lab classes are “a little overcrowded.”
Alexander described the project as an investment in students and their careers, and he said the new expansion will attract top faculty from across the country.
Koubek was similarly excited about the upcoming project, calling it “one of the great moments in the history of LSU’s College of Engineering.”
With the combined renovations and additions, the total amount of affected academic space for the College of Engineering will be 380,000 feet.
Construction is planned to commence in fall 2014 and scheduled for completion by fall 2017.
“The engineering expansion is an investment in our students and their careers.”