New Engineering team project center opens on North Campus

Engineering students, their dean and the University president cut through a long line of duct tape, meant to symbolize the one handy tool engineers can't be without, to christen The Walter E. Wilson Student Team Project Center on North Campus yesterday.

The center is part of the University's commitment to aid student teamwork and collaboration in extracurricular Engineering projects.

Engineering Dean Stephen Director opened the ceremony with a welcoming speech, in which he explained how the center is unique. "The Wilson Student Team Project Center allows students to integrate technology across multiple disciplines," he said.

Primarily Engineering students will utilize the center primarily, but other students can also use the center if they are working on projects they will enter in competitions.

Engineering spokesperson Karl Bates said the construction of the center will help the University as a whole.

"The Student Team Project Center improves the College of Engineering, which adds to the prestige and recognition of the University," Bates said.

The idea for the center developed from a constant need to house student projects, and construction began in January 1998.

The student-run facility covers 10,000 square feet and is located behind the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Building, adjacent to the Wave Field.

It is open 24 hours a day all week long to students who are working on team projects.

The two-level center includes design rooms with computers and electronic equipment, a machine shop and welding lab, a paint booth, a conference center and a student lounge.

Engineering senior Jonathan Paul manages the Society of Automotive Engineers Baja Racing Team, which showcased its project in the new center. He said the center will enhance the team project experience.

"Before the center existed, we worked on our project cramped in an autolab and had to use old tools," Paul said, adding that all of the equipment the team needs is now located in once place.

Engineering sophomore Patrick Goleski said he likes that the center accommodates students.

"The hours here are better, since the center is open all the time, and it's more student friendly," he said.

Treva Fisher, an Engineering senior and a new member on the Concrete Canoe team, said she decided to participate in a team project because it gave her the opportunity to work on something "hands-on."

"I think my project will be a lot of fun, and give me a chance to apply things I've learned in my classes to something outside," she said.

Jed Christiansen, who graduated from the College of Engineering in May and is a member of the Solar Car Team, summed up the team project experience.

"Joining a team project has truly made our U of M experience a great one," Christiansen said.

Wilson, for whom the center is named, was a 1933 Engineering graduate whose financial gift funded the center.

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