Pirkle Center Receives Outstanding Design Recognition

Today@Sam celebrates the building design nomination for the Pirkle Engineering Technology Center:

...has been selected for The American School and University 2018 Architectural Portfolio. The building is featured in the December edition of the AS&U magazine in the Outstanding Design category. Viewed as the ultimate tribute to education design excellence, the distinctive honor positions SHSU’s center among outstanding architectural projects of national acclaim.

The Pirkle Engineering Technology Center opened in spring 2017 and supports high-touch, high-tech learning with labs equipped with robotics, alternative energy equipment, a wind tunnel and more. The 53,500 square foot, multi-level center serves as the primary facility for the Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Technology Departments. The Innovation Lab is the core of the center providing a main collaboration area, woodworking shops, clean manufacturing rooms, animal science and research labs, electronics and robotics labs, classrooms and offices.

In 2015, a $25 million gift from alumnus Fred Pirkle helped fund the construction of the center. Additionally, the gift has made it possible to provide new student scholarships each year and fund faculty positions, internships and other academic enrichment.