Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University's new Complex for Engineering and Biological Sciences, designed to be a driving force for the region's economy, was dedicated Friday morning.

"This is indeed a dream come true," WKU President Gary Ransdell told a crowd that included local, state and campus officials, industry representatives, students and others.

"As the world economy and the state's needs have changed so too has the mission of Western Kentucky University," Dr. Ransdell said. "Our focus now far exceeds simply educating students. Today we are engaging our faculty and our students and our community to improve the quality of life for all Kentuckians and add value to the resources we are so blessed with here in Kentucky."

Gov. Ernie Fletcher said the $20 million facility and the research partnerships between Western and private industry will provide opportunities for Kentucky's young people as the state moves forward in the knowledge-based economy. "Applied research is the tool that's going to make us competitive on the global scene," Fletcher said.

The three-story, 72,000-square-foot facility, which opened earlier this month, houses Western's engineering department (civil, mechanical and electrical programs) on the first and second floors with biotechnology and biodiversity centers on the third floor.

The dedication ceremony took place in the Integrated Applications Lab, a two-story high bay that provides space and equipment for students to work on numerous engineering projects.

The engineering, biodiversity and biotechnology programs, as well as others in Ogden College's Applied Research and Technology Program (ARTP), provide students with hands-on learning and research opportunities.

Thanks to more than $2 million in federal earmarks, students and faculty have access to state-of-the-art high-tech equipment in the new facility.

"I eagerly anticipate the opportunities this building will provide for future generations of students," said Kate Hertweck, a senior biology major from Evansville, Ind.

Bud Layne, CEO of SpanTech in Glasgow, represented area businesses that are benefiting from Western's engineering program and its project-based learning philosophy. "I could see how their dreams and my dreams were the same thing," Layne said of the vision for the engineering program. "The dream has gotten bigger."

Western began offering bachelor's degrees in engineering in the fall of 2001 after the Council on Postsecondary Education approved joint engineering programs between WKU and the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. Western's program is awaiting accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology.

The engineering program has an enrollment of 300 students with that number expected to grow.

Students in the biotechnology and biodiversity centers work with faculty on molecular biology, genetics, biotechnology, ecological, environmental and other projects. The biotechnology center helped Sygen train technicians to assist its research and development scientists when the company moved from California to nearby Franklin.

"Our students and our faculty stand ready to help the citizens of this region prosper and maintain a high quality of life," said Dr. Blaine Ferrell, dean of Ogden College of Science and Engineering.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Governmental Relations at (270) 745-4586