State of the Art and Energy Efficient Facility Will Serve 2,500 Students and Help Prepare them for In-Demand Careers

URBANA - Governor Pat Quinn today was joined by University of Illinois President Robert Easter to dedicate the new Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Building on the University's Urbana campus. The $95 million facility will enhance educational opportunities, fuel job-creating research breakthroughs in computing, communications, nanotechnology and biotechnology, and set a new standard for energy efficient buildings. The project was funded by Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program and private donations, and created more than 620 jobs during construction.

"This new building will help the University of Illinois continue to produce globally competitive graduates that have a huge impact, while maintaining their commitment to sustainability through net zero energy use," Governor Quinn said. "Hundreds of skilled workers constructed this building, and thousands of skilled graduates will leave it with some of the world's best training for today's in-demand jobs."

"I'm grateful to Governor Quinn, the state and our donors for providing the financial support that built this new 21st century home for our nationally ranked Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering," University of Illinois President Robert Easter said. "We take seriously our responsibility to reward their generosity - using this new state-of-the-art facility to produce the graduates and innovation that will help drive progress and economic development for the people of Illinois and the nation."

The 235,000-square-foot building nearly doubles the space available to the University's world-renowned Electrical and Computer Engineering Program. The advanced energy saving features are projected to make the facility one of the most energy-efficient engineering buildings in the nation. Some building highlights include :

• The Texas Instruments Electronics Design Lab with glass walls overlooking the building's grand atrium, which highlight the building's focus on openness and collaboration.
• The Texas Instruments Student Center, where student organizations meet and work together.
• The Open Lab, where students can use specialized equipment to complete projects of their own choosing that aren't related to class.
• The nanofabrication laboratory, a first-of-its-kind facility meant for undergraduates, will allow students to learn cutting-edge fabrication technology.
• A distinctive terra cotta rain screen system, which is extremely energy efficient, and screen structures to shade it from the sun.
• Solar arrays to be installed this fall on both its roofs and the roof of a nearby parking deck.
• The Advanced Power Applications Laboratory, which allows direct access to state-of-the-art solar panels and systems.

The $95 million facility was built with a $47.5 million state investment and $47.5 million in private funds from numerous donors to the University. It is located on the north Engineering Quad. The ECE Building was built to achieve LEED Platinum certification, the highest designation for a structure's energy efficiency and environmental impact. A separate solar energy component means the structure is projected to reach zero net energy consumption on an annual basis, and will become the largest such structure in the United States. The ECE Building construction was overseen by the Illinois Capital Development Board, which administers all non-road, state-funded construction projects.

The University of Illinois' Electrical and Computer Engineering program is home to almost 2,500 students and is consistently ranked in the top five undergraduate programs by U.S. News and World Report. The department has more than 21,500 alumni around the world.

The ECE Building project is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest construction programs in the nation.

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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Scheduled for the Galesburg High School Stadium

Galesburg, IL - The third project in the Galesburg Community Unit School District (CUSD) #205 $110M Master Facility Plan, Operation Rebuild Achievement, has reached completion. A ribbon cutting ceremony has been scheduled for the Galesburg High School Athletic Stadium, located at 1135 W. Fremont Street in Galesburg, for Friday, October 17, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. Press is invited to attend.

Construction on the new $15.7M Galesburg High School Athletic complex includes a 50,500 s.f. new multi-purpose building, attached two-story field house, 2,840 seat stadium, 1/8 mile and eight lane synthetic tracks, new scoreboards, lighting, grandstands and field event areas. Additionally, two new basketball courts, tennis courts, a soccer field and improvements to the varsity baseball and wrestling areas are ready for use by the Silver Streaks.

In March 2011, Galesburg CUSD selected Russell Construction and Dewberry Architects to deliver the 10-year / $110M Master Planning process designed to improve student achievement and increase property values by investing in the revitalization of 11 buildings within the district. For more information on Operation Rebuild Achievement, please visit Galesburg CUSD's website at www.galesburg205.org, or the project website at www.galesburg2020.com.

Currently, Russell is completing work on the fourth project for Operation Rebuild Achievement. This consists of a new $16.5 M facility for Silas Willard Elementary. For more information on Russell Construction, please visit their website at www.russellco.com.

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The Quad-City Engineering and Science Council, or QCESC, has released its 2015 scholarship application at www.qcesc.org for students interested in studying a STEM-related degree at an accredited four-year college or university. (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics)  Applications must be postmarked by January 23, 2015. The scholarships will be awarded at its 53rd annual National Engineers Week banquet tentatively set for February 26, 2015.

2015 will mark the 21st year of the QCESC awarding scholarships to encourage students majoring in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, related fields.  Last year 15 scholarships between $1000 and $3000 each totaling $24,000 were awarded.

These scholarships are awarded based on academics, extracurricular activities (which include work and community service), and leadership experience. An essay on career goals and why the applicant is interested in a STEM-related field is also required. High school seniors from Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, Whiteside, Carroll, Knox, Lee, Clinton, Scott, Muscatine or Louisa counties are eligible to apply. Additional requirements are on the application.

In addition to scholarships given by the QCESC and its member societies, scholarships will also be provided by the following Engineering Colleges:

• Iowa State University (2 x $1,000)
• University of Iowa (1 x $1,000)
• University of Illinois - Chicago (1 x $1,000)
• University of Wisconsin - Platteville (1 x $2,500)
• Western Illinois University - Quad Cities Campus (1 x $1,000)
• St. Ambrose University (1 x $2000)

The Quad City Engineering and Science Council (QCESC) is an umbrella organization representing 36 technical societies in the Quad City region with approximately 5,000 associated members. The QCESC is non-profit organized in 1963. Its mission is to Promote and support engineering, science, and technical professionals and associated societies in the Quad City Region and to also support and encourage students in the Quad City Region to study in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) related fields.

For more information or to download the scholarship form, visit us at www.qcesc.org .

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During the 2014-15 school year, the students, the staff and families of Jordan Catholic School will be discussing the Corporal Works of Mercy as our way of putting Faith into Action. During the month of September, we Fed the Hungry and Gave Drink to the Thirsty by having a canned food, non-perishable food item and drinks collection. Through the generosity of our students, staff, and families, we collected 803 items for the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry sponsored by St. Pius X Parish.