Whitacre's gift will support the UTSA Science and Engineering Building, which is set to open in 2020. Photo credit: Alamo Architects and Treanor HL
(April 10, 2019) -- The UTSA College of Engineering confirmed a commitment of $500,000 from Ed Whitacre in support of the Science and Engineering Building, currently under construction and slated to open in 2020. The new building will provide 153,000 square feet of laboratory, classroom and meeting space to support students and research in engineering, brain health, biology and chemistry.
Whitacre, former chairman of the Board of ExxonMobil, has been a generous donor to UTSA for many years.
“The UTSA College of Engineering continues to position itself to become one of the top five Engineering Programs in the state of Texas. I am pleased to assist the College as they acquire resources to train engineering students in a progressive learning environment, while exposing them to authentic project management experience,” Whitacre said.
The first floor of the building, sized at 32,650 square feet, will be dedicated to an innovative Makerspace that will include collaboration and project assembly space, a design studio, a machine shop, a 3D printing room, and cutting-edge equipment that will elevate the student learning experience in the UTSA College of Engineering. In alignment with UTSA’s mission to become a model for student success, exposure to a Makerspace with ample resources will enhance students’ knowledge of the materials, tools, resources and environments they will encounter in the professional workplace.
Whitacre’s support will specifically impact one of the integral components that will accelerate and improve the process for students to complete senior design projects, which are required for graduation: a 3D metal printer. The 3D metal printer offers additive manufacturing technology that uses powdered metals to create intricate and durable components of various sizes. This piece of equipment is prominently used in industry and will offer students the efficient engineering solutions to manufacture senior design project prototypes, some of which have the potential to be taken to market, and engineering organization competitive teams.
“Mr. Whitacre’s donation will allow UTSA students to graduate with the knowledge, competitive skills set, and experience to enter the workforce and compete with engineering graduates from top performing programs across the country, as well as engineering professionals,” said JoAnn Browning, dean of the UTSA College of Engineering. “The overall student experience in the College of Engineering will transform through a well-equipped Makerspace.”
Donors like Ed Whitacre are raising the stature of the Engineering Program, and helping the college equip its faculty and students, so they can advance in a rich learning environment. In turn, this provides the City of San Antonio with a strong pipeline of engineering graduates who are prepared to solve problems and develop engineering solutions that will impact the communities they work and live in.
Ed Whitacre is also the former chairman and CEO of General Motors, and former chairman of the board and CEO of AT&T.
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(SEB 2.04.06,) Main CampusNational Night Out 2023 is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our campus community safer, more caring place to learn.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusPEACE Center will be requesting you to put your hand print on our banner to make a pledge that you will not be using your hand for hitting! PEACE will provide all of the supplies, just please come out and support this fun event.
Student Union PaseoJoin us for an electrifying night of music! Experience the vocal prowess and rhythmic power of the Patsy Torres Band as they join the UTSA Chamber Strings and Mariachi Los Paisanos! Get ready to dance, sing along, and be moved by the incredible talent on stage. Don't miss out on this unforgettable musical experience!
Recital Hall, Main CampusCome and practice your Spanish in a friendly and engaging environment! You will also learn about Hispanic cultures with us as we play games, watch videos, sing, and participate in many other language and cultural activities! All levels are welcome! ¡Nos vemos
Willow Room (SU 2.02.12,) Main CampusCome network with engineering employers!
HEB Student Union Ballrooms 1 & 2, Main CampusJoin us for a culinary celebration on the lawn at UTSA’s Westside Community Center. UTSA Libraries will be collecting recipes and food memories and food trucks will be on hand selling bites inspired by UTSA's Mexican Cookbook Collection.
UTSA Westside Community Center, 1310 Guadalupe St San Antonio, TX 78207The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education.
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to ending generations of discrimination and inequity. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
