Richard Offerdahl, NDSU College of Engineering alumnus, joined faculty, staff and students on Friday, September 20 to break ground for the new Richard Offerdahl ‘65 Engineering complex.
NDSU’s Foundation president, John Glover, headed the groundbreaking ceremony addressing members of the Fargo-Moorhead community eagerly waiting to celebrate the beginning of construction on this new addition to the NDSU campus.
The Richard Offerdahl ‘65 Engineering Complex is a $100 million project funded by a public-private partnership. Richard and Linda Offerdahl contributed a $25 million donation, the largest gift in NDSU’s history for a building project. This complex will replace outdated facilities and enhance engineering education. This project was motivated by the North Dakota legislature’s challenge to raise $25 million to unlock $59 million in state funds.
This ceremony highlighted a plethora of speakers such as Senator Ron Sorvaag, Representative Steve Swiontek, NDSU President David Cook, College of Engineering Interim Dean Alan Kallmeyer, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Jessica Void, Environmental Engineering student Zachary Quirk and none other than Richard Offerdahl.
John Glover kicked off the ceremony extending his gratitude to a multitude of contributors and benefactors. “As we begin today, we would like to thank also, and most importantly, the North Dakota Legislature and Appropriators for once again, providing leadership and to bring us to this moment. When you go first, look what happens. Individual and corporate philanthropists who care about NDSU step up to match your committed dollars. The private sector loves to invest in a winner, and we hope all of you appreciate that NDSU Engineering will be a winner moving forward.”
Following Glover’s opening, President David Cook spoke of his excitement and optimism for the project moving forward. Dr. Cook then recounted the history of the old engineering buildings. “The original one-story addition to the front of Dolve Hall and these three additional buildings that we heard John Glover discuss. By the fall of 1965, 59 years ago, the center was complete, and all five engineering buildings were linked together by uncovered skywalks. We’re going to change that uncovered skywalk thing here too moving forward. Many students graduated from NDSU before construction was completed, one in particular is sitting here with us today.”
The new facility will house a variety of key aspects and features. The facility will be designed to enhance student success and research capabilities in areas like AI, cybersecurity and precision agriculture. The complex will also support K-12 outreach to inspire the future of engineers. College of Engineering Interim Dean Alan Kallmeyer spoke on the future of the College of Engineering and how it is inspired by the past, as well as how this facility will come to serve the NDSU community.
“The Richard Offerdahl ‘65 Engineering Complex is designed with innovation and student success at the forefront. State-of-the-art multi-purpose research and learning spaces will provide students with the hands-on experience and resources they need to meet those evolving demands of the industry. These spaces are tailored to foster collaboration, creative problem solving and real-world applications preparing students for the challenges to come. Offerdahl will not only elevate the education experience, but also give NDSU a critical edge in attracting and retaining students who are driven by a passion for problem-solving, and the desire to shape the future. From modern teaching labs and expansive design studios, the facility will serve as an incubator for student innovation, allowing them to work across disciplines, bring their ideas to life and develop the skills needed to become leaders in their fields.” These highlights of the spaces were a running theme in many individuals’ optimism to propel the College of Engineering into the future.
An emotional Richard Offerdahl then took the stage accompanied by John Glover. Glover reminisced over the spark that ignited the flame for this whole project as he found out Offerdahl wanted to donate $25 million. Glover then gave the floor to Richard Offerdahl himself to share his remarks. Offerdahl extended his gratitude to everyone involved, sharing how moved he is by the excitement and appreciation of everyone, and commenting on how he is not easily moved. A main component fueling the urgency to get this project going was Offerdahl as he shared how he participated in moving up the timeline of construction. “I’m kind of an impatient fellow, I’m getting older. I’d like to see this building and walk in it so I said ‘What if I gave you the $25 million you just asked for, can we get it sooner?’ As John Glover pointed out, we can get there a year sooner. Well, saving a year seems like a real good idea, let’s do that. I’ll donate the $25 million so we can get started right away.”
The speakers included were from all different areas and backgrounds, and the turnout of many NDSU faculty, students and staff all highlighted how exciting this new construction is for everyone, not only the engineering students. All eyes will be on the center of campus as construction commences on the Richard Offerdahl ‘65 Engineering Complex.