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WKU To Rename Science Building
Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University officials and U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell will participate in a special ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Thursday (March 31) at WKU's Complex for Engineering and Biological Sciences.
WKU will name the Integrated Applications Laboratory the "McConnell Integrated Applications Laboratory" to express appreciation for Sen. McConnell's support in obtaining $2,365,000 in federal earmarks for state-of-the-art equipment for the engineering and biology laboratories in the Complex for Engineering and Biological Sciences. "This equipment will not only improve laboratory instruction for our students, but will help our faculty and students become engaged in hands-on research and technical projects that will help our constituents," said Dr. Blaine Ferrell, dean of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering. "These applied research projects should have a positive impact on the educational program in Ogden College of Science and Engineering as well as the economy of the region." Since 1997, Sen. McConnell has directed more than $40 million for WKU programs and projects, much of that to the life science programs that have regional and statewide impact. Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1984, McConnell is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. He is chairman of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee and is a senior member of the Agriculture and Rules Committees. McConnell, the second ranking Republican in the U.S. Senate, is serving his second term as Majority Whip. "The support we have received from Sen. McConnell has turned an empty building into a world class educational facility for engineering," said Dr. John Reis, engineering department head. "His support will have a positive impact on students, and through them the Commonwealth of Kentucky, for many years to come. We truly appreciate this support he has given to the engineering programs at Western. Naming this capstone laboratory after him is a way for us to express our gratitude." The $20 million, 72,000-square-foot Complex for Engineering and Biological Sciences opened in January. The three-story facility houses the engineering department (civil, mechanical and electrical programs) on the first and second floors with the biotechnology and biodiversity centers on the third floor. "Producing students who are competitive and successful in the workplace requires training with the most modern equipment," said Dr. Richard Bowker, head of the biology department. "The payback on that investment is that Western will provide better training for students and keep them in Kentucky." Thursday afternoon's event is open to the public and parking is available in the lot at the corner of Chestnut and 14th streets. 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. -WKU-
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