The University of Delaware honored former President Patrick Harker Tuesday - formally dedicating the Patrick T. Harker Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Laboratory.
The Lab opened in 2013, and features classrooms that connect to state-of-the-art laboratories. The building was designed to facilitate problem-based learning - in which students solve open-ended problems to master a concept.
Governor Jack Markell joined university and state officials at the dedication - and praised Harker’s love of interdisciplinary education and entrepreneurial spirit.
"He, probably more than any other university president in the country, understands where academia, where universities fit in these days, in trying to advance an economic opportunity agenda," Markell said.
Harker helped raise over $43 million to build the laboratory - an investment he believes will drive future growth.
"The economy isn’t a big, amorphous thing," he said during his remarks. "It’s a community by community, industry by industry, building up prosperity for everybody. That’s what this facility does."
Harker adds the lab will attract students -- and the research they create will drive innovation in Delaware and beyond.
