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Old Chemistry Renovations
Phase One of the Campaign for Engineering at Ole Miss is nearing completion. With over $5 million in public, private, and university funds in hand, renovation plans for Old Chemistry are currently underway. The McCarty Company Design Group P.A. of Tupelo is working on the architectural designs for the building. Exterior renovations will begin in 2007. Since the University designated the Old Chemistry building to be used exclusively by the School of Engineering, much thought has gone into how the building could best be utilized. One of the primary goals is to provide a central location for students to gather, study, and meet together. The six engineering departments are currently spread among four separate buildings, with no common areas for students. Study rooms, student lounges, and a student resource area will bring engineering students together to interact and learn from one another. While the Dean's modest office is currently located in the front of Carrier Hall, it does not create a positive first impression or adequately represent the qualities of the School. A new Dean's Suite and conveniently located administrative offices will greet students, faculty, and visitors who enter the building. Students will be able come to one location for advising, and a faculty lounge will bring faculty from different departments together to share ideas. Old Chemistry will become the heart of the School of Engineering, improving the School's identity and perception. The success of Phase One is a result of a partnership between public support provided by the State of Mississippi and private donations from alumni and friends. The State of Mississippi allocated $4 million in bond funds to assist with the building renovations. Alumni and friends may still participate in helping raise funds for the building and equipment needs. Many naming opportunities are still available, including
It is not too late to get on board and contribute to the Campaign for Engineering. Your gift will be a lasting legacy to the students who choose to follow the path you once traveled. For information on the Campaign for Engineering, contact Tom Black at 662-915-5932 or at tblack@olemiss.edu. $100,000 to the Campaign for Engineering to Name the Structural Dynamics LabIn December 2004, a civil engineering alumnus who wishes to remain anonymous donated $100,000 to the Campaign for Engineering to name the structural dynamics lab. $4 Million from State Bond Bill to Renovate Old Chemistry BuildingThe University of Mississippi is to receive $13 million for the Oxford campus in the Bond Bill passed by the State Legislature on November 22, 2004. Of the $13 million, $4 million is designated for renovations at the Old Chemistry Building, which has been assigned to the School of Engineering. Renovation of the Old Chemistry Building is part of the plan for the development of the Engineering Complex, which is a major component of the Engineering Campaign. Engineering Sciences Building Renamed In Honor of Beloved Professor, ResearcherProfessor's sons donate $200,000 to the School of Engineering 
In his 34 years as a professor and researcher at the University of Mississippi, Charles Smith attracted millions in research funding and helped put the School of Engineering on the map for his work with electromagnetics, radar power and antennas. On Friday, UM honored Smith, 70, by renaming the building where he conducted most of that research the Charles E. Smith Engineering Sciences Building. Smith, former chair of the department of electrical engineering, retired two years ago, but he remains actively involved in engineering research projects. "The fact is, the name Charles Smith is synonymous with the School of Engineering," said UM Chancellor Robert Khayat at the ceremony, which attracted about 40 students, faculty and alumni. "He has touched the lives of hundreds of engineering students and numerous faculty members." The idea to dedicate the Engineering Sciences Building to a man who dedicated his career to Ole Miss came from Smith's sons: Chuck, Steve and Gary Smith. The brothers, who are alumni of UM electrical engineering, received a brochure about the $25-million Campaign for Engineering, an effort aimed at renovating and expanding the school's facilities and programs. They decided that donating $200,000 to the campaign was the best gift possible for their father. "We could send him on a trip around the world, but that wouldn't help students. He wouldn't like it," Chuck Smith said. "He's always had his students' interests at heart. The perfect gift for him is something that will benefit engineering students for years to come." The brothers' gift ignited interest already present among people at the school to honor Smith in a lasting, prominent way for everything he has done for UM since he first arrived as an assistant professor in 1968. Since the Smith brothers' initial gift, many former students have also contributed to the initiative. Chancellor Khayat read a letter from one of them, Army Capt. Matt Dorsey, now serving in the war in Iraq. "When I hear the name Charles Smith," Dorsey wrote, "the first words that come to mind are inspiration, enthusiasm, devotion, dedication, brilliance, compassion and understanding ... Dr. Smith sincerely cared for students." In Smith's career, he directed more than 55 research projects, each bringing outside funding to the school. In the past 10 years alone, Smith has helped attract more than $6 million, said Allen Glisson, chair of electrical engineering. But more than money, the retired professor has had a lasting impact on generations of UM students, according to several at the ceremony. "Dr. Smith has a gift for making the most complicated, high-level concepts seem very simple," said Bill Dykeman, a 1985 electrical engineering alumnus who works for Raytheon in Forest. "For me, his encouragement and compassion made all the difference. He actually helped me get my job." Smith thanked the crowd and told them that he never imagined his name would ever be on a building. "All I ever wanted was to be happy and have a meaningful life," Smith said. He told the crowd that teaching made him happy and his research was meaningful, but that he was just one of a team of faculty. "We've done a great job. We, not me. It's been fun, I've been happy, and above all, it's been really meaningful." by Angela Moore Prescott Sherman StoryPrescott Sherman grew up on a farm in Southwest Mississippi, where five brothers learned to love the land and the profession of engineering from their father, Boston native Carleton Farrar Sherman. It’s not surprising that four of them followed in his footsteps by pursuing engineering careers. All five siblings earned degrees at The University of Mississippi. Because of this family legacy, Prescott Sherman of McComb is bequeathing $2 million to the School of Engineering to establish the Sherman Family Engineering Endowment... View the entire story in the newsletter. Back to the Campaign Home. |