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September 2002

Science & Engineering Building enlists partnerships

Thanks to UNF's corporate partnerships, some prestigious names like Merrill Lynch, Alltel Information Services, Florida Rock Industries, W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor and the Jacksonville Electric Authority will grace four labs and a dean's conference room in the new Science and Engineering Building when it opens next fall. These four companies and the JEA made combined gifts of more than a million dollars, including state matching funds, to the University's College of Computing Sciences and Engineering to help build and equip the Science and Engineering Building.

"First Coast companies know the college's computing, engineering and construction academic programs are essential for the region's economic and societal development," said Dr. Neal Coulter, dean of the College of Computing Sciences and Engineering. "Likewise, the college's faculty members know their mission is to educate individuals who can be leaders in the business, professional and civic community. This common bond forms the basis for the superb partnership between the business community and the college."

The renewable energy laboratory in the new building will be named in honor of the JEA in recognition of their $500,000 gift. In addition to a corporate partnership, the JEA and the University have in effect formed an energy and environmental partnership. Studies and research in the laboratory will have as one of its goals increasing solar energy use in Northeast Florida.

Alltel Information Services made a $100,000 gift to the University. The applied global systems laboratory will carry the Alltel name to honor the company's contribution. The lab's teaching and research focus will be developing real-time, mobile and Internet software applications closely integrated with new hardware solutions.

Students in the applied global systems laboratory program have an opportunity to use the latest technologies to research real-world problems while working in mixed-discipline teams. When they graduate, many of these students should have the expertise to make immediate contributions in high-tech industries like Alltel Information Services.

Florida Rock Industries will have a lab named for their company. The construction management computer laboratory will bear the company's name as a result of a $100,000 gift from Florida Rock Industries.
Students majoring in building construction management must be able to effectively use computers because businesses depend on computer systems and tools for data gathering, data analysis and the design of business processes and products. Students need to be literate in the use of computing tools and competent enough to develop their own special-purpose codes when necessary. The Florida Rock Industries computer lab for building construction students will give students the opportunity to acquire those needed skills.

Merrill Lynch, which made a gift of $50,000, is another top-echelon corporation that has invested in the Science and Engineering Building. The money will supplement instructional and research programs at the College of Computing Science and Engineering. In recognition of Merrill Lynch's gift, the dean's conference room will be named in the company's honor.
W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor made a $50,000 gift in support of the Science and Engineering Building. As an expression of the University's gratitude for the gift, the measurements laboratory in the new building will be named for the company.

In the measurements lab, future engineers will learn principles like physical dimensions, temperature, pressure, flow rate, density and other properties that define the processes associated with engineering design and analysis. Measurements and methods of measurement displays have always been a focus of UNF's engineering programs.

"It is impossible to overstate how much the local business and professional community leaders mean to the college, " Coulter said. "With their support, we can offer degree programs that far exceed the standard available through only state funding. Their generosity is remarkable and benefits all First Coast residents."