The College of Engineering at Iowa State University has received a $150,000 grant from the Master Builders of Iowa (MBI).
The grant will be used in the creation of the Tom and Ro Jellinger Laboratory in Iowa State’s construction engineering program.
“The Master Builders of Iowa has been a key supporter of our program throughout its fifty year history,” said Ed Jaselskis, the W. A. Klinger Teaching Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering. “MBI provided initial seed funding to create the program and has continued to provide strong support through scholarships, training and donations to promote construction program excellence. This major gift will help us realize our dream of continuing to offer a first class education to our students and prepare them for a successful career in the construction industry.”
The Jellinger Laboratory, to be located in the Town Engineering Building, benefits undergraduate students and industry by providing virtual site tours, building information modeling, and a central and flexible learning environment for the senior-level design course. The lab will include a combination of individual team spaces, a large gathering area for providing instruction and making presentations, equipment storage, and a conference room. Mobile Internet and computer facilities will enable real-time broadcasts of construction activities taking place at remote locations.
“MBI has a strong partnership with the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, and we are very grateful for their gift in support of the Jellinger Laboratory,” said Jonathan Wickert, dean of the College of Engineering. “This facility will enable faculty to incorporate current technologies and business practices into their courses, including collaborative teamwork analogous to that in a practicing design and construction firm.”
MBI has provided more than $625,000 in support of faculty, students, and programs in the construction engineering program at Iowa State.
“Partnerships with industry are one of the great strengths of Iowa State University, particularly in engineering,” said Iowa State President Gregory L. Geoffroy. “We’re grateful that one of our oldest partners in engineering, the Master Builders of Iowa, has stepped forward at this critical time to help us continue to improve the education we provide for engineering students, many of whom will be employed by MBI members after they graduate.”
MBI is the oldest and largest business and trade association in Iowa, with over 2,100 members statewide. The organization has also recently provided grants to the University of Northern Iowa’s construction management program, the Iowa Department of Education, and the Iowa Department of Human Services.
“Our members see the need for private industry to be part of the solution in the budget crisis that the state and many universities are experiencing at this time,” said Mike Tousley of the Weitz Company, who serves as MBI’s chairman. “MBI is stepping up to assist our vital construction career programs to continue to play a major role in preparing a skilled workforce to rebuild Iowa.”
The gift is part of Campaign Iowa State: With Pride and Purpose, the university’s $800 million fundraising effort. More than $750 million in gifts and future commitments for facilities and student, faculty, and programmatic support have been made to Campaign Iowa State.
Contacts:
Eric Dieterle, College of Engineering, 515.294.4881
Dave Gieseke, ISU Foundation Communications, 515.294.7263