Sweeney Hall, home to the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, has been undergoing some significant renovations over the past couple of years. From upgrades in research and computer laboratories to a new multimedia classroom, each update will help the department facilitate enrollment growth as well as make new discoveries.
Progress over time
Focused on the 1964 wing of the Sweeney, the renovations have been supported by a variety of sources. Surya Mallapragada, former chair of the department, kicked off the effort by applying for and securing a $1.75 million National Science Foundation grant to improve lab spaces with new fume hoods, instruments and cabinetry, as well as electrical upgrades.
“The way the older wing was structured, with small, individual labs, wasn’t conducive to the interdisciplinary kind of research going on in CBE,” explains Mallapragada. “We also had to consider our department’s advancements in biological engineering. For example, the labs needed access to deionized water for experiments and research.”
From there, the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust invested $200,000 to renovate computer labs. One lab was renovated with electrical upgrades and new computers to improve the learning experience and accommodate more students. Additionally, there is now a new multipurpose classroom equipped with twin 37-inch LCD screens at four group-study tables and 30 laptops, providing interactive multimedia learning for up to 28 students.
A $183,000 grant from the College of Engineering’s Continuous Improvement Initiative for Undergraduate Education allowed CBE to add new and replicate equipment for experiments in the undergraduate teaching laboratories, make improvements to existing experiments, and hire a part-time lab technician. These build on improvements to the undergraduate teaching laboratory that were made with private giving from Mike and Jean Steffenson two years ago.
Now the department is able to take on additional renovation projects thanks to generous gifts from several alumni and friends.
A new center for student services
Already having helped with the renovations in CBE, the Steffensons also provided a gift to improve the department’s student services space, which Mallapragada says is important given that the department’s enrollment has gone from 400 to 600 students in the past three years alone.
With all four of the student advisors located together along with a new waiting area, these renovations will provide a more welcoming environment for current and prospective students. The renovation is scheduled to be completed this October.
Mike, a ’59 graduate in chemical engineering, and Jean, a ’60 graduate from Iowa State’s zoology program, have a extensive history with the department. Starting with Jean’s father, the late Manley Hoppe, who graduated in chemical engineering in 1932 and then again with a master’s degree in 1935, the couple’s connection to the department has spurred philanthropy that has truly made a difference.
Hoppe, with support from the Steffensons, established the Manley R. Hoppe Professorship in Chemical Engineering, which was awarded to Professor Jacqueline Shanks. Later, the Steffensons established a professorship that Professor Brent Shanks currently holds. Additionally, they have contributed to student scholarships and even to a project to restore the campanile and carillon. Both Mike and Jean have also served in Iowa State alumni groups in different capacities, including the ISU Foundation, ISU Research Foundation and the Chemical Engineering Advisory Council.
Mike says working with Mallapragada to get a good understanding of what CBE needs has been important in determining the best way to support the department.
“All of Surya’s suggestions have been very satisfying to support, and the student center was digestible so we signed on,” he adds. “Everyone wants to feel they can make a difference, and that’s the feeling Jeanne and I get from our support of CBE.”
According to Mallapragada, the continued generosity of the Steffensons has allowed for a number of valuable opportunities for faculty and students. “Mike and Jean have been wonderful long-term supporters of our department. Not only have we been able to improve learning for our students through physical components like equipment and experiments, but we have been able to retain two very prominent faculty members who bring important research and new knowledge to our students.”
Keeping the momentum going
Another critical part of the overall renovation of the ’64 hall includes continued upgrades to research and computer lab space in addition to the department’s graduate student offices.
The department has so far secured funding for and is renovating three of the four labs in need of upgrades that were not possible with the NSF funding. With regard to the graduate student offices, Mallapragada says the plan is to encourage interaction between students and accommodate the department’s growth.
“Right now we have individual offices occupied by two students. We want to tear down walls to combine three offices into one. This will give the students more access to one another and promote sharing ideas,” she adds.
Contributors to these various renovation projects include
- Dean (BSChE’68) and Sharon Vance
- Craig (BSChE’83) and Nancy Wheatley
- Robert Gerwig (BSChE’52) in honor of his father O.J. Gerwig
- Gerald (BSChE’55) and Barbara Montgomery
- Ken (BSChE’64) and Kathy Garrett
Mallapragada says she looks forward to seeing the renovations progress as she returns to her post as a professor in the department. “These upgrades offer our department an avenue to meet the needs of our students and continue our research and educational innovation,” she adds.
Most of the projects will be completed in time for the CBE Centennial Celebration, scheduled for Sept. 26-28, which will include a tour of the renovations. For more information about this event, visit the department’s website.