Trine University celebrates ground breaking for John and Mary Pellegrino Student Design Center
The celebration took place on May 2, with the namesakes of the building in attendance. The building will benefit students from several disciplines, including engineering and design technology.
Trine University has broken ground on its new 22,000-square-foot John and Mary Pellegrino Student Design Center. On May 2, the university celebrated the occasion with the Pellegrinos, one of whom is a university alumnus, in attendance. The building will house labs and equipment that students from various disciplines will be able to utilize.
According to an article on Trine University’s website, university president Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D. was quoted as saying of the new facility, “This facility represents a major leap forward for Trine University and our commitment to hands-on learning and career preparation. We'll give our students an opportunity for a wide range of disciplines, from engineering to business and design technology and the opportunity to bring ideas to life in a space purposely built for teamwork, problem solving and discovery.”
Housed within the new building will be laboratories for aeronautics, powertrain, and robotics, among others. The building will feature $1.5 million of state-of-the-art equipment that will benefit both students and local industries. The school will be able to expand its workforce training opportunities, as well, thanks to the new equipment and space to train students.
The facility has been named after John and Mary Pellegrino. John is a Trine University graduate who earned a civil engineering degree in 1960. The Pellegrinos have lent much support to the university over the years. Their son, John Jr., is a current member of the university’s Board of Trustees.
Dr. Brooks said, “John and Mary have continually remained loyal, interested, committed and engaged in our institution for all these years. Now, the Pellegrino Student Design Center will serve as a hub for experimental learning and industry collaboration. This building will help Trine grow, drawing in more high-achieving students and deepening our connections with industry and community partners.”
Speaking of the Pellegrinos and the numerous other donors who have contributed to the building of the new facility, Dr. Brooks said, “We're so blessed by the generosity of many donors and visionaries that are here with us today who believe in this project and believe in its lasting impact. To every donor: We thank you for believing in the power of education, the strength of community and in the promise of the next generation. We can't wait to thank you further with the dedication of this facility.”
The Pellegrino Student Design Center is expected to cost $15 million and will be completed in 16 months.
For more information about Trine University, visit the school’s website.