Fargo, N.D. — The North Dakota State University Foundation is pleased to announce an ambitious fundraising initiative to raise philanthropic gifts in support of a new, $84 million Center for Engineering and Computational Sciences at NDSU. The new capital project was authorized to proceed by the 68th Assembly of the North Dakota Legislature during its spring 2023 session.
The new center will be a public-private partnership, advancing hands-on, interdisciplinary engineering and computational sciences curriculum, research, and learning to develop technical talent for tomorrow’s workforce needs. At a minimum, the Foundation and NDSU will be seeking philanthropic support in the range of $25 million to $30 million by January 1, 2025. These private gifts will be matched by $59 million in funding from the North Dakota Legislature.
The College of Engineering has not had a major expansion or transformation of its facilities since the $1.6 million Ehly Hall addition in 1999, with most of the College’s current buildings being constructed in the 1960s.
“NDSU is grateful to Governor Doug Burgum and the North Dakota Legislature for its leadership and support of this major project which has been on the University’s capital master plan for a decade,” NDSU President Dave Cook said. “Preparing highly skilled, practical engineers and computational scientists is central to our 1862 land-grant mission for North Dakota. Our engineering tradition dates to 1892 when Edward S. Keene was hired as our first professor of mechanic arts. More than 22,500 engineering and computer science alumni have made transformational, societal impacts since. We’re ready to launch a new, expanded era to address the grand challenges we face in the 21st century and believe that Bison-educated engineers and scientists can make a real difference.”
NDSU’s Center for Engineering and Computational Sciences will foster a collaborative learning environment that produces career-ready engineers in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, precision agriculture, data science, energy stewardship, advanced infrastructure, manufacturing, and robotics. Equipped with state-of-the-art multi-use learning spaces and trailblazing technology, students will explore their creativity while igniting a passion for innovation that will carry into their professional lives.
“Support of this new facility will propel NDSU engineering into the future,” Alan Kallmeyer, interim dean of the College of Engineering, said. “NDSU prioritizes a hands-on, in-person engineering education that emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. Students will experience collaborative, interdisciplinary learning while working on real-world projects that matter, and their experience will be transformed in meeting the needs of our industry partners.”
Today, the College of Engineering offers 12, and soon to be 13, undergraduate degrees and more than 30 concentrations in engineering, computer science, and construction management, along with 14 M.S. and nine Ph.D. degrees.
In recent years, the NDSU community has responded by supporting important capital projects to advance program excellence in academics and athletics. Sanford Health Athletic Complex, Shelly Ellig Indoor Track and Field Facility, Tharaldson Softball Park, Nodak Insurance Company Football Performance Complex, Aldevron Tower, and Peltier Complex are just the latest in a long tradition of private support behind infrastructure projects — and let’s not forget Renaissance Hall, Klai Hall, Barry Hall, Jack Dalrymple Greenhouse Complex, and the McGovern Alumni Center.
“Never before has there been a more important moment for our alumni, friends, and industry partners who care about the future of engineering, technology and innovation to come together than right now,” John Glover, President/CEO of the Foundation, said. “North Dakota’s future workforce needs in engineering and technical fields is at a critical point, and we believe NDSU is the place that can solve this problem.”
Please stay tuned for continuing developments regarding this exciting project, and please contact the NDSU Foundation for more information regarding how you can get involved with this critical fundraising need.
ABOUT NDSU FOUNDATION
The NDSU Foundation builds enduring relationships that maximize advocacy and philanthropy to support North Dakota State University.
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CONTACT
John Glover
President/CEO
NDSU Foundation
(701) 231-6800