Engineered for Greatness

It’s a new day for the College of Engineering, as Villanova began construction in February on a 150,000-square-foot addition that will more than double the footprint of the Center for Engineering Education and Research (CEER). This ambitious and forward-looking project will transform teaching and lab space and create new opportunities for innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, with all of the College’s departments sharing one dynamic building for the first time in more than a decade.

“This expansion positions the College of Engineering for continued success as a premier destination for engineering students and faculty,” says Michele Marcolongo, PhD, Drosdick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering. “This project will add new state-of-the-art instruction spaces for team-based ‘learning by doing’ and expand our research facilities in ways that will foster collaboration among disciplines.”

Slated for completion by fall 2024, the renovation was designed by BLTa–A Perkins Eastman Studio and Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP, with input from Engineering faculty and students.

“Every aspect of the project—from the placement of faculty offices to lab configuration and gathering spaces—is the result of a process aimed at fostering connections and facilitating collaborative discovery and cross-disciplinary advances,” says Patrick G. Maggitti, PhD, University Provost.

This capital project is just one example of the University’s commitment, as part of its Rooted. Restless. Strategic Plan, to transform academic facilities for students and faculty as they engage in learning and scholarship at the highest levels.

A total of $35.5 million has now been raised toward the fundraising goal for the project, including 15 seven-figure gifts from Villanova alumni, parents and friends. The University has received significant support for the project from Engineering alumni, including $5 million gifts from both John “Jack” G. Drosdick ’65 COE and Richard K. Faris ’69 COE, ’70 MS and a $3.5 million gift from Nance K. Dicciani, PhD, ’69 COE.