
South Carolina State University will officially unveil its $24.5 million Engineering and Computer Science Complex on Friday.
Photo Credit: Larry Hardy/T&D
Nestled between Hodge Hall, the university’s science building, and Mays II, a male residence hall, the $24.5 million, 86,500-square-foot complex features innovative classrooms, research centers, laboratories, offices and other academic support spaces.
“We are excited about the opening of our new Engineering and Computer Science Complex,” interim president Dr. Cynthia Warrick said. “This new facility serves as an integral part of student learning outcomes and hands-on training capabilities, which in turn provides our students with the necessary tools they need to thrive and compete on a global level. We also want to provide opportunities for collaboration with private and public partners to provide research experiences for our students and faculty.”
In addition to the nuclear engineering program, the only one of its kind at a Historically Black College and University in South Carolina, the complex houses the departments of Civil and Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mathematics & Computer Science and Industrial & Electrical Engineering Technology.
S.C. State’s Center for Energy Studies and the Center for Modern Manufacturing can also be found in the new edifice. The Center for Energy Studies serves as a pioneer for alternative energy with the study and production of biodiesel fuel, hydrogen fuel cells, solar energy initiatives and the production of hydrogen by its evolution from switchgrass and agriculture waste products. The Center for Modern Manufacturing serves a slightly different purpose by utilizing cutting-edge techniques for robotics, megatronics and rapid prototyping, a process which constructs physical objects using additive manufacturing technology. Digital signal processing, robotics, radiological and laser labs are also integrated in the design of the complex.
Keynote speaker for the building opening will be Dwayne Wilson, president and chief executive officer at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC. Wilson is responsible to the Department of Energy for safe, effective and efficient management and operations of the Savannah River Site. His responsibilities include providing vision, leadership, mission growth, technological advancement and a performance-based culture of safety and operational excellence at the site.
Prior to joining SRNS, Wilson was group president of Industrial & Infrastructure of Fluor Corporation and served as its group executive. In this capacity, he was responsible for diverse markets, including infrastructure, telecommunications, mining, transportation, life sciences, heavy manufacturing, advanced technology, microelectronics, commercial, institutional, health care, water and alternative power.
Wilson has served as president of the Commercial & Industrial Institutional business line overseeing markets including hospitality, educational, hospitals, office buildings and selected governmental facilities. He has also served as senior vice president and general manager, Mining & Metals, and was responsible for leading Fluor’s worldwide involvement in the mining industry.
As a vice president in Fluor’s Manufacturing & Life Sciences group, Wilson was responsible for multiple business lines in the food and beverage, metals, consumer products and general manufacturing industries.
His project management experience includes leading a multinational consortium responsible for the engineering, design, construction and startup of a paper facility, program director for a nationwide modernization program for the U.S. Department of Commerce and project manager for a power generation project.
Wilson has also served as vice president, executive director, chairman and chief operating officer for Fluor. He served as chairman of the Engineering and Construction Contracting Association from 2002 to 2006. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Corn Products International. Currently, Wilson serves as a trustee of the Fluor Foundation and a director of the Urban League of the Upstate of South Carolina.
For more information on the Engineering and Computer Science Complex opening, call April Hutton-Moorer, program coordinator, at 803-516-4923 or Ashley Elliott, assistant director of public relations, at 803-533-3617.