Pfeiffer Foundation makes $1.5 million gift to new UMaine engineering building

A $1.5 million gift has been received from the Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation to help construct the University of Maine Engineering Education and Design Center (EEDC), according to University of Maine Foundation President/CEO Jeffery Mills.

The gift brings the total amount raised in support of the new facility to $66 million.

“We appreciate the leadership and vision of the Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation, and its generosity,” says Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of the University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias. “The Engineering Education and Design Center will transform engineering education at the university and in the state, fostering a collaborative community of learners — students, faculty, alumni, employers, and academic, research and industry partners.”

EEDC will house the Biomedical Engineering Program and Department of Mechanical Engineering, and provide space for all UMaine engineering majors to complete their capstone projects. This gift will name a space within the center.

Groundbreaking for the center is planned in early 2020, with anticipated completion in 2022.

“The Pfeiffer Research Foundation’s investment will provide world-class laboratories to support the pioneering research my colleagues and I do at the University of Maine,” says Karissa Tilbury, UMaine assistant professor of biomedical engineering. “The opening of EEDC in fall 2022 will serve as a beacon for biomedical engineering education and innovations in the state of Maine and beyond.”

Established in 1942, the Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation supports the advancement and promotion of medicine and pharmacy.

“The Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation is both proud and excited to support the EEDC project at UMaine,” says Kimberly Herold Alvarez, president of the Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation. “As the EEDC project is the highest capital priority for UMaine’s Vision for Tomorrow campaign, it is especially gratifying to be a part of this essential facility. Knowing that the new EEDC will be fostering and advancing engineering students, faculty, alumni and others is a wonderful achievement for UMaine. The Pfeiffer Foundation is honored to be partnered with UMaine in this project.”

Fundraising for the estimated $75 million to $77 million EEDC continues, including opportunities to name spaces in the facility. More information is available on the University of Maine Foundation website.

The EEDC project is part of UMaine’s current $200 million Vision for Tomorrow comprehensive campaign, led by the University of Maine Foundation.

Contact: Monique Hashey, 207.974.9899; monique@maine.edu