Governor Jim Doyle announced this week a $5 million grant to the Wisconsin Energy Foundation to support construction of the Discovery Learning Complex at Marquette University.
“We are fortunate to have universities like Marquette that offer an outstanding engineering education and are committed to preparing students for the challenges – and opportunities – of the 21st century,” Governor Doyle said. “This project will help retain hundreds of jobs in Wisconsin, and prepare future generations to be leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”
The first phase of the Discovery Learning Complex, a $35 million project, will involve building a five-story, 115,000 square foot facility that will include an innovative Discovery Learning Laboratory and a two-story engineering materials and structural testing laboratory. It will also include other new teaching and research laboratories, common areas for students, and office space. The initial structure will be linked to a future 150,000 square foot building that will include classrooms, offices and additional laboratories. Since taking office, Governor Doyle has made education a top priority. He provided the largest increase in financial aid in state history, created the Wisconsin Covenant to ensure a place in higher education for state students who work hard and make the grade, and has helped fund new building and research projects at universities across the state. The budget Governor Doyle signed into law this year added budget funding for financial aid and universities, even in a difficult economy. Demolition of buildings on university-owned land has already begun, and construction is set to begin as early as this spring. The total project cost is estimated at $100 million. The state grant is funded through a provision in the most recent biennial budget. The project should be ready just in time for the start of classes in the fall of 2011.