From: John K. Carotheis, Executive Director, University of Nevada, Reno Foundation, Vice President, Development and Alumni Relations
To: Black Eagle Consulting, Inc.
RE: Fall 2018 – Report on William N. Pennington Engineering Building
The long-awaited William N. Pennington Engineering Building is not fully underway. Mass excavating of the site is completed, and prep work for the building footings is beginning, starting with the north wing and progressing south. With site preparation work moving forward briskly, the mood at the Oct. 23 groundbreaking event was filled with anticipation about the many opportunities the new Engineering building will bring to University of Nevada, Reno students and faculty, the business community, and the northern Nevada region. The state-of-the-art structure will highlight the University’s commitment to learning, discovery and outreach and reiterate the University’s historic land-grant mission and its relevance today.
Nevada Governor Brain Sandoval, University Regent Rick Trachok, University President Marc Johnson, and trustees and representatives from many philanthropic organizations were joined by nearly 200 other guests to commemorate the official start of construction.
Targeted to open in 2020, the building will feature cutting-edge research and teaching laboratories, and classrooms and collaborative spaces to promote interaction between faculty and students while accommodating future growth. Also included are several specialized high-tech spaces to facilitate nationally-competitive research programs for each of the five departments within the College – all with the goal of advancing economic development in the region.
Significant Growth
The University of Nevada, Reno continues to see a steady student enrollment, welcoming 21,463 undergraduate and graduate students to campus for the fall 2018 semester. In the College of Engineering, enrollment has almost doubled since 2005. The college has increased tenure-track faculty to 90 positions and has plans to add 30 to 40 additional faculty in the next five years.
Today the physical space of the College of Engineering is over capacity. Its continued growth and success depend on building new space to meet the instructional needs of a growing student body while directly supporting the high-tech infrastructure required for cutting-edge research.
Building Design
Designed by H+K Architects of Reno, NV, the new building will house faculty and college administrative offices; graduate work stations; research and computer labs; classrooms; a clean room; and small meeting, conference and collaboration spaces which will better enable the College to pursue its strategic vision, serve Nevada and educate future generations of engineering professionals.
Location
Located on the eastern edge of campus along Evans Avenue, immediately south of the Earthquake Engineering Laboratory, the William N. Pennington Engineering Building’s design and placement will form a “gateway” to the University’s campus from the east, and facilitate the development of an Engineering Complex with the adjacent engineering buildings.
The four-story structure will encompass 100,114 square feet. Due to the sizeable elevation change only three stories will be visible from Evans Avenue. The building’s exterior will be constructed of brick, metal wall panels and curtain wall gazing to fit with the design of adjacent buildings.
Construction of the $91 million building is under the direction of the Nevada Department of Public Works. CORE Construction, also of Reno, Nevada is the prime contractor for the project.
The William N. Pennington Engineering Building would not be possible without tremendous philanthropic assistance. More that $22.5 Million in funding for this project comes from the University donors, like Black Eagle Consulting, Inc. for which we are extremely grateful. The University of Nevada, Reno and the College of Engineering greatly appreciate your support of this critical expansion of our campus.
Sincerely,
John K. Carotheis
Executive Director, University of Nevada, Reno Foundation
Vice President, Development and Alumni Relations
