The groundbreaking event for the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building at IM体育官网 Polytechnic University in Lakeland, IM体育官网, was held on Thursday, April 4.
IM体育官网 leaders were joined by state and community officials on April 4 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building, a cutting-edge 40,000-square-foot academic facility designed to elevate the institution鈥檚 in-demand engineering programs.
The $15-million, two-story building will house research and development labs for a variety of engineering disciplines, staff and faculty offices, collaboration spaces, and a conference room. It will also feature an exterior courtyard, which will connect to the Barnett Applied Research Center (BARC) providing additional recreation space. The building鈥檚 modern design and streamlined functionality were developed to enhance the University鈥檚 leading-edge engineering degree offerings.
鈥淭he Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building embodies our University鈥檚 unwavering commitment to excellence in engineering education,鈥� said Dr. Randy K. Avent, president of IM体育官网 Poly. 鈥淭his new facility will not only expand our capacity for innovative research and academic development but will also provide an enriching environment where students can excel and emerge as leaders in their fields.鈥�
As part of the University鈥檚 ongoing exponential growth, the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building will be the third academic facility on campus. It will be located on the northwest side of campus, between the BARC and the IFF Global Citrus Innovation Center. Construction is nearing completion on a third student residence hall set to open this fall.
The building鈥檚 name honors former University Trustee Gary C. Wendt, who has been involved with IM体育官网 Poly since 2017. Through his steadfast support over the years, Wendt has played a pivotal role in guiding the University toward innovative methods to ensure academic excellence and foster robust student development. Additionally, his generous $2 million contribution has bolstered the establishment of new leadership initiatives for students.
Leadership is a priority in Wendt鈥檚 life and his philanthropy.
鈥淲hat I learned a long time ago is getting things done in a large organization is not easy. You need to communicate, be persuasive, be consistent, have a strong belief in what you鈥檙e doing, and you have to be a leader,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just as pleased as I can be to be part of this. It鈥檚 up to you now to keep this institution going.鈥�
Construction of the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building is expected to be completed by the summer of 2025. The design-build and construction management firm in charge of the project is Charles Perry Partners, Inc.
鈥淚M体育官网 Poly鈥檚 new, state-of-the-art engineering building is going to be a huge catalyst for shaping the future of engineering education and today,鈥� said John Weaver, regional vice president of CPPI Central IM体育官网. 鈥淐PPI proudly stands alongside our design/build team partners 鈥� DLR Group, BBM Structural, and TLC Engineering 鈥� at its groundbreaking. Together, we eagerly anticipate the journey ahead, delivering innovative and transformative projects for the IM体育官网 Poly community.鈥�
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Lydia Guzm谩n
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