UC Foundation Chair John C. Stophel, UTC Chancellor Bill Stacy, Mrs. Sue Stacy and State Senator Ward Crutchfield discuss Building the Future, the newly announced campaign that supports programs to be housed in the new Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics Building.

Building the Future Campaign Announced at UTC

When UTC received $29 million from the State of Tennessee to build the new UTC Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics Building, a $5 million question surfaced: How will it be furnished?

Fundraisers have responded with Building the Future, the now public campaign launched to allow the purchase of desks, computers, instructional and research equipment, and more for the new building. Campaign proceeds will also be used for scholarships and faculty teaching incentives. The campaign goal is to raise $10 million, and 7.5 million has been raised in the quiet phase of the campaign.

Lewis Card, Jr., vice president of Chattanooga textile equipment manufacturer Card-Monroe Corp. and chair of the campaign, said $5 million of the private donations will go to instructional equipment, $3 million will go to student scholarships for the programs housed in the building and $2 million will go to endowed chairs of excellence and professorships.

According to project leader Doug Thigpen of TH Parks, construction remains ahead of the contracted schedule for completion, which is July, 2003.

"The eastern-most structure, which will house offices for engineering faculty, conference rooms and computer graphics labs is completely closed in and the heat will be turned on in early November," Thigpen said.
Ceiling tile and the finishing coat of paint will be added in early January. Seating will be added to the Benwood Auditorium in December, with completion expected in January. "By the end of November, the western structure, housing the math department and meeting areas, will be under roof," according to Thigpen.

On behalf of campaign organizers and the UTC campus, Campaign Director Bob Martin expressed thanks for:

Naming Gifts for Rooms, Laboratories, etc:
Benwood Auditorium, Card Family Auditorium, Maytag Conference Room, Maytag Engineering Graphics Communications Laboratory, Alstom Senior Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, Chattanooga Manufacturers Dean’s Suite, Ed Duckett, Jr Engineering Mechanics Laboratory, Dupont Basic Engineering Science Laboratory, I-EEE Student Lounge, Dorothy Dean Shelton Mathematics Tutoring Center, Dorothy Dean Shelton Mathematics Testing Center, Jane Dowden Mathematics Group Study Center

Endowments, Scholarships, Professorships:
Anthony L. Vest Engineering Endowment, Marjorie Watson Mathematics Endowment, Chair of Excellence in Computational Engineering, Dr. William Q. Gurley Mechanical Engineering Scholarship Endowment, James S. Kent Memorial Engineering Scholarship, Chattanooga Gas Annual Scholarship, Engineering Week Scholarship, Senator Ward Crutchfield Professorship, Edwin Duckett, Jr. Engineering Scholarship, Alstom Scholarship, National Science Foundation Engineering Scholarships, Ralph T. and Alice P. Call Engineering Scholarship Endowment

Additional leadership contributions, laboratory equipment, etc:
Joe Decosimo, Scott L. Probasco, Jr., Joe and Marianna Wheeler, NA Industries, Electric Power Board, John Germ, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Summerfield Johnston, Jr./Tucker Foundation, Sofix, Microsoft, Sherry Brown, Chattanooga Boiler and Tank, TVA equipment and student services support, Bill Stone, AVS sr. design support, Otto Wheeley, Astec sr. design support, Wolf Aviation Fund, Arcadis, Science Applications International Corporation, Board of Architectural and Engineering Examiners

Additional support of varying levels made possible by UTC Engineering, Computer Science and Math alumni and friends.

Continued support is needed to reach the goal of $10 million, according to Martin.

"To ensure superior academic programs, funding for technical and state of the art laboratory equipment and corporate gifts of laboratory and computer equipment are needed. Support is also needed for student scholarships to attract and retain the best and brightest students and need-based scholarship for deserving students. We also need support for retaining current faculty stars and obtaining new faculty leaders," Martin said.

For more information on the capital campaign, please email Bob Martin or call (423) 425-4233.