2008 Woodie Awards
Funding approved for new Engineering and Science Center
T.R. Risner
Staff Reporter
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: News
The Omnibus Bill, sponsored by Alabama Senator Richard Shelby, to approve the new engineering and science building has been passed by the federal government and will bring more than $33 million to the University of South Alabama.
The $30 million for the new Engineering and Science Center has been included in the budget by Sen. Shelby the past few years, but finally made it through Washington.
The money has been a major goal of Shelby's ever since he has been in office. The proposed building has a price tag of $50 million. $10 million, previously approved by the federal government, will be added to the $10 million USA officials have already put up for the building to get the $50 million total.
The Engineering and Science Center will bring additional classrooms, laboratories and office space to the fast growing engineering department. The facility would provide laboratory and research facilities for future engineers, scientists and researchers.
"The plans for the new building will be presented in the near future," said Keith Ayers, director of the USA's public relations office.
"The Engineering College has been growing, now having more than a thousand students, so we need the additional classrooms and office space," said Dr. John Steadman, dean of the College of Engineering.
The faculty will be in one building which will "lead to better communication, more interdisciplinary research and sharing practices in teaching," according to Dr. Steadman.
"The expanding science and technology based industry in Mobile will only demand more university skilled workers for high paying jobs in the future; the new center will allow USA to prepare students for the workforce," according to Sen. Shelby.
The bill that could help build the Engineering and Science Center on campus also has additional funding for other programs at the USA.
Other funding South Alabama will receive includes an approval of $611,000 for the Coastal Inland Hurricane Monitoring and Prediction Program.
The $30 million for the new Engineering and Science Center has been included in the budget by Sen. Shelby the past few years, but finally made it through Washington.
The money has been a major goal of Shelby's ever since he has been in office. The proposed building has a price tag of $50 million. $10 million, previously approved by the federal government, will be added to the $10 million USA officials have already put up for the building to get the $50 million total.
The Engineering and Science Center will bring additional classrooms, laboratories and office space to the fast growing engineering department. The facility would provide laboratory and research facilities for future engineers, scientists and researchers.
"The plans for the new building will be presented in the near future," said Keith Ayers, director of the USA's public relations office.
"The Engineering College has been growing, now having more than a thousand students, so we need the additional classrooms and office space," said Dr. John Steadman, dean of the College of Engineering.
The faculty will be in one building which will "lead to better communication, more interdisciplinary research and sharing practices in teaching," according to Dr. Steadman.
"The expanding science and technology based industry in Mobile will only demand more university skilled workers for high paying jobs in the future; the new center will allow USA to prepare students for the workforce," according to Sen. Shelby.
The bill that could help build the Engineering and Science Center on campus also has additional funding for other programs at the USA.
Other funding South Alabama will receive includes an approval of $611,000 for the Coastal Inland Hurricane Monitoring and Prediction Program.
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Paul Talent
posted 3/03/08 @ 6:27 PM CST
This is great news for the University (and the College of Engineering and the various science departments especially)!
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