WKU Receives $1.2 Million To
Equip New Science Building

September 05, 2003

Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University has been awarded nearly $1.2 million in federal funds to improve technology and enhance instructional programs in its new science and engineering building.

"The $1,192,000 appropriated through the efforts of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell will be used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment to be used by students interested in electrical, civil and mechanical engineering, biodiversity or biotechnology," said Dr. Blaine Ferrell, dean of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering.

The funding from the U.S. Department of Education will improve classroom, laboratory and research capabilities in the Complex for Engineering and Biological Sciences.

"Kentuckians can take pride in the important research being conducted at WKU under President Gary Ransdell's leadership," McConnell said. "I am pleased to secure federal funds to help ensure that Western's new science and engineering facility will provide its students and researchers with access to state-of-the-art research when it opens in 2004."

The funding will be used for equipment in a circuits classroom; a prototype facility; laboratories for material characterization, structures, thermal fluids, dynamic systems and controls, and integrated engineering applications; and for upgrades in data acquisition and management capabilities and an automated monitoring station.

The equipment also will enable faculty to engage students in hands-on projects associated with the Applied Research and Technology Program of Distinction, Dr. Ferrell said.

"These research projects will enhance the education of students enrolled in engineering, recombinant genetics and biology programs," he said. "The equipment will enhance opportunities for collaborative projects with faculty and students in other departments as well.

"The new building is just phase one of a two-phase effort to rejuvenate the facilities in Ogden College of Science and Engineering that will enhance our capacity to provide unique and exciting learning opportunities for our students."

The Complex for Engineering and Biological Sciences on Chestnut Street near the Hardin Planetarium and Snell Hall is scheduled to open for classes in fall 2004.

Senate bill includes $4.6 million for WKU projects

Five other initiatives at Western would receive more than $4.6 million in federal funding under fiscal year 2004 bills approved Thursday by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Awaiting full Senate approval are: $2 million for WKU's shuttle bus system; $1 million for Spotlight Youth Program; $667,000 for an Environmental Monitoring Network in the Kentucky Climate Center; $500,000 for the Small Public Water System Technology Center; and $500,000 for the Center for Wastewater Research.

"Western Kentucky University is a leader in Kentucky, not just in terms of educating our children but also as an economic driver for the entire area," said McConnell, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. "I was really pleased that I was able to earmark these funds for the University."

For more information, contact Dr. Blaine Ferrell at (270) 745-4448 or Robbin Taylor at (270) 745-5858. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

-WKU-