(Next-generation Facilities) Beach Launch Pad Fundraising Tops $11M

The Beach Launch Pad project has surpassed $11 million in fundraising, marking a major milestone in advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, and engineering education at the College of Engineering.

Generous contributions from alumni and industry partners have fueled the campaign’s success. Among the key donors are Hing ('85 MS EE) and Doris Hung, Northrop Grumman, Applied Medical, Marwan Fawaz ('85 BS EE, '87 MS EE), and Scott (‘72 BS) and Joanne (‘78 MA) Charmack. Their support underscores a shared commitment to cultivating hands-on learning and high-impact research opportunities for future engineers.

In addition to private philanthropy, the College of Engineering recently received a $2.27 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The federal funding will be used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for the Beach Launch Pad renovation project.

Once completed, the renovated facilities will feature cutting-edge spaces including a satellite lab, rocketry lab, advanced manufacturing suite, and a collaborative wet lab. The redesigned complex will also include updated areas for team-based projects, enhancing collaboration and innovation among students, faculty, and industry partners.

With the design underway and strong momentum from both donors and federal partners, the Beach Launch Pad is poised to become a cornerstone of applied learning and technological advancement for years to come.