Detroit Mercy, donors advance engineering and science education through facility upgrades

A partnership between University of Detroit Mercy and donors is enhancing labs and meeting spaces across the College of Engineering & Science (CES) to better serve students and faculty. 

On Sept. 25, lead donors and their families gathered for a groundbreaking celebration and tour of the renovations underway inside the Engineering, Life Sciences and Chemistry buildings. Dean of the College of Engineering & Science Katherine Snyder ’89, ’93, shared design concepts and an overview of how the renovations will support the College’s mission and create new opportunities for students and faculty. 

“These investments are bringing the University’s learning environments in line with the strength of our academic programs and longstanding commitment to hands-on and experiential education,” Snyder said. 

In the Engineering Building, renovations to the Construction Materials, Soils and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) labs, primarily used by Civil Engineering students, will enhance collaboration, showcase projects and improve visibility into the work happening inside. The building's main first floor conference room will also be updated. 

Lead donor Bob Hamilton ’72, a Civil Engineering graduate and CES board member, says supporting the University that helped launch his career was an easy decision. 

"The University gave me the resources and opportunities I needed to succeed as a student, so it’s rewarding to now give back and help the next generation of engineers,” Hamilton said. 

Hamilton joined fellow lead donors Gene Robinson ’69, ’70, ’76, Cliff Cook ’69, ’70, and Ghafari Associates, represented by Chris Costis. 

In the Lower Level of the Life Sciences Building, an introductory chemistry lab is being converted into two multipurpose lab spaces to accommodate both Biology and Chemistry courses. The redesigned spaces will expand undergraduate research opportunities and give faculty greater instructional flexibility. New windows and an updated layout will also bring in natural light and create more opportunities for peer engagement. 

The improvements come amid growing science enrollment and expanding support for pre-health students, whose acceptance rates into professional programs exceed the national average. 

Renovations in the Chemistry Building will expand and update one of two physics labs to support the College's transition to studio physics. The active-learning approach blends lecture and lab work into a more interactive learning experience.  

Beyond modernized facilities, these projects reflect Detroit Mercy's continued investment in the personal attention and close-knit community that distinguish the University. 

For Cook, an Engineering alumnus and CES board member, that sense of connection inspired his decision to give back. 

“I believe a lot of students get lost in the university environment, but they should be seen as more than just a number,” Cook said. “That's what you get at Detroit Mercy, along with a quality education.” 

The renovations are part of broader investments in CES as Detroit Mercy celebrates its 150th anniversary. Other initiatives include an agreement with anopen-access journal covering publication fees for UDM researchers and a $7.75 million federal grant to expand education, research and career pathways in high-demand technology fields. 

Renovations to the Engineering, Life Sciences and Chemistry buildings are targeted for completion by the end of summer 2027.