“UofL is a nationally recognized leader in driving innovation, spurring economic growth and providing students with the education and experience they need to succeed in the real world,” said UofL President Gerry Bradley. “This amazing new facility, with state-of-the-art amenities, will speed those efforts, creating bold new opportunities for our students, researchers and the commonwealth.”

With state-of-the-art classrooms, lab facilities, conference rooms and a makerspace, the new building will prepare engineering students with hands-on instruction and industry experience. Designed by Luckett & Farley and SmithGroup with Whittenberg Construction as the general contractor, the $90-million project was first announced in Feb. 2024. As the new focal point of Speed School, the building aims to provide the infrastructure that prepares future engineering leaders across Kentucky’s increasingly technology-focused workforce.

“This new Student Success & Research Building represents a strategic investment in Kentucky’s future,” said Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester. With expanded lab space, collaborative learning environments and a focus on innovation, it strengthens our capacity to educate the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers. The state’s $65 million commitment to this project reflects the vital role UofL and the Speed School play in building a stronger, more competitive commonwealth. Louisville has long been the economic engine of Kentucky, and the Speed School is one of its most powerful engines of opportunity and growth.”

In addition to the state’s financial support, UofL has secured nearly $10 million in philanthropic commitments to name spaces within the building. These investments from alumni, industry partners and friends of the university underscore the community’s belief in Speed School’s mission and its impact on Kentucky’s future workforce.

Across sectors that include robotics, artificial intelligence, sustainable energy, additive manufacturing and cybersecurity, the Student Success & Research Building will be equipped with cutting-edge technology to enhance student learning and engineering research. Additionally, the building will be home to student support services that include academic counseling, tutoring, co-op coordination and admissions.

“This building represents opportunity. It is a place where late-night study sessions turn into breakthrough ideas, where classmates become teammates or even lifelong friends, and where we can learn the skills that prepare us to solve real-world challenges,” said Speed School Student Council President Kayla Lancaster. “It gives us the places to work, the tools to build and the support to thrive.”

The building’s opening coincides with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Speed School’s founding.

“The Student Success & Research Building is the perfect way to celebrate Speed School’s Centennial,” said Dean Emmanuel Collins. “It also represents Speed School’s commitment to the next 100 years of engineering excellence and innovation.”

By Michael Phillips

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See photos from the Sept. 4 press conference on .

For more information on the broader impact of the new Student Success & Research Building on the UofL community, visit the .

For more photos of the Student Success & Research Building, see , or view and download or a of the building construction.

Committed to advancing the science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) community, the SOA is focused on a strategy to build a STEMM workforce that reflects the culturally rich, innovative and diverse talent pool of the United States.

SOA has engaged hundreds of partners to implement STEMM Equity and Excellence 2050: A National Strategy for Progress and Prosperity, with the goal of helping 20 million people from historically excluded and marginalized communities enter, contribute to and thrive within STEMM fields.

For UofL, this is a transformative effort that includes the College of Arts & Sciences, College of ����ֱ�� & Human Development, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, and School of Medicine in networking with national foundations, companies and the federal government to offer scholarships and expand the opportunity for STEMM careers to more students.

“For too long, many students have had to swim upstream to pursue careers in STEMM and UofL is joining the vital effort to seek fundamental, systemic change. Complex problems require multifaceted, creative, and innovative solutions, which are best addressed with diverse teams bringing distinct perspectives to achieve scientific excellence,” said James Orlick, director of grant writing and innovation for UofL’s Office of Institutional Equity. “Equity and excellence are connected.”

Second Lieutenant Pavel Buechter was commissioned in 2023 and is currently stationed at Vandenberg Space Force Base in central California, where he is a mission integrator with the 2nd Range Operations Squadron, where he manages and integrates government and commercial launches at Vandenberg.

In this role, he works with contractors like Northrop Grumman, Firefly Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Stratolaunch and SpaceX.

He supports the launch service providers by making sure they abide by range policy and procedures, along with managing their use of government launch infrastructure.

Buechter represents the range and the Space Force to mission partners, and helps establish the path to mission success. His current focus is managing the restoration and revitalization of a launch complex to support its first mission in more than 15 years.

Buechter, who is cross trained as a Range Operations Commander (ROC), has overseen the launch of various commercial SpaceX launch missions.

In 2023, Buechter was awarded the U.S. Space Force quarterly award for commitment. He has also been awarded various team awards for mission integration and nuclear deterrence.

He said his favorite part of the job is getting to be a part of the team that, “launches rockets and puts satellites into orbit to support the warfighter downrange.”

Buechter said he chose UofL because of the fully online master’s degree and how well UofL supports its military-connected students. The program is also offered at a reduced tuition rate, which matches the military tuition assistance rate.

Buechter said his degree will help him better oversee Space Force projects and make him a better leader.

Fenton is a U.S. Navy veteran who served onboard the United States ship John F. Kennedy (CV-67) from 1972 to 1978.

During his service onboard the Kennedy, Fenton was part of the “ships company,” and was responsible for the storerooms, which served more than 5,000 sailors.

This included snacks, cigarettes and retail shops as well as the barber shops, dry cleaning, and laundry.

He spent 17 months in the Mediterranean, six months in the Caribbean, and three months in the North Atlantic. Among his favorite memories of his time in the Navy are the countless ports of calls where he was able to interact with residents. In retirement, he has been able to visit many of these same places.

Originally from Trumbull, Connecticut, Fenton, who is also a retired Xerox chief information officer, has been in Louisville since 1995. ��

Fenton is a at UofL, a program that offers students in Kentucky who are 65 years or older the chance to take a select number of classes for free at any state-supported institution. The program, which started in 1976, can count toward a degree or simply be for fun.

Although he has a bachelor of science in computer science and economics, the last 20 years of Fenton’s career were spent as a manager and leader, and he was not actively involved in the hands-on technologies.

Taking classes at the Speed School is helping him achieve his goal of getting educated in newer technologies, he said. Getting back into education was a big change and he has found it to be both challenging and rewarding.

With the knowledge and skills Fenton is gaining in the program, he intends to build tools, games, or applications for mobile.

Fenton said that Ibrahim Imam, an associate professor in the computer science and engineering department, has always been available to help and provide suggestions throughout the program.

He and his wife have four children and eleven grandchildren.

Fenton believes it is very important to continue to learn no matter your age and he is intent on setting a good example for his grandchildren. He said UofL has given him an opportunity to learn something new almost every day.

are active faculty, scientists and administrators who have demonstrated remarkable innovation producing technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society. They also have growing success in patents, licensing and commercialization, while educating and mentoring the next generation of inventors.

“Recognition from NAI is a tremendous accomplishment, and we are extremely proud of these UofL innovators,” said Jon Klein, interim executive vice president for research and innovation. “The research-backed technologies they are developing have the potential to diagnose, treat and cure disease and improve the way we live and work. I look forward to seeing them continue to develop these innovations into practical solutions to real world problems.”

The four inventors selected from UofL, the only ones from Kentucky, are:��

• Thad Druffel, and the . Druffel’s work focuses on solar power, including via his startup, ��which is commercializing a technology meant to make solar power more accessible.��
• Nobuyuki Matoba, . Matoba’s work focuses on tackling devastating diseases, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer, through new vaccines, immunotherapeutics and treatments that leverage protein engineering and plant-based biotechnology.��For his work, Matoba was named UofL’s 2023 Innovator of the Year.��
• Thomas Roussel, Speed School. Roussel focuses on microfabricated/COTS sensor technologies and custom instrumentation, all in support of the development of analytical techniques for environmental studies, orthopedic and rehabilitation platforms, as well as biomedical diagnostic applications.��
• Jagannadh Satyavolu, Speed School and the Conn Center. Satyavolu has a way to leverage spent bourbon stillage to make greener energy solutions and other products, including through his startup, BioProducts LLC.��

UofL and its provide robust support for inventors working to develop and commercialize the technologies emerging from their research, including intellectual property protection, entrepreneurial coaching and product development grants and training. The goal is to translate academic research into products that can save and improve lives.��

In the past fiscal year, UofL was awarded 38 new patents, secured 11 licenses, launched three new startups and brought in a total of $1.4 million in innovation income, including patent royalties and licensing. Over its 25-year history of commercializing research, UofL has been awarded more than 350 U.S. patents, formed nearly 50 startups still in operation and has created countless new products and services positively impacting people here and beyond. For those successes, UofL ranks among the for patents awarded.��

“This year’s class of Senior Members is truly a testament to…what happens when the academic space encourages and celebrates invention and commercialization,” said Paul R. Sanberg, President of NAI. “We are proud to welcome these outstanding academic inventors to the Academy and look forward to supporting and celebrating them as they continue in their innovation journeys.”

UofL researchers can begin their inventor journey , and industry interested in licensing UofL IP can find a full listing of available technologies . ��

The four-story, 114,000-square-foot building, sitting just behind the complex on Eastern Parkway, will include classrooms, a makerspace, high-tech lab facilities and room for events and student engagement. The $90 million project is supported by $65 million in state funding and $3 million in private donations, with a fundraising campaign on-going to secure the balance.

“UofL has long led the charge in driving innovation, economic growth and providing students with the education and experience they need to succeed in the real world,” said President Kim Schatzel. “With this new state-of-the-art building, we accelerate those efforts, creating bold new opportunities for our students, researchers and the Commonwealth.”��

The additional space will support UofL efforts to fill Kentucky’s talent pipeline with STEM graduates who are prepared to harness disruptive technologies across a range of industries, including cybersecurity, electric vehicles, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and many more. While the Kentucky’s production of these critical workers has grown, it still lags behind neighboring states and the national average.��

“Extending Kentucky’s record-breaking economic momentum depends on our ability to innovate and strengthen our workforce,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This new investment and partnership with UofL shows our commitment to being a destination for talented people and businesses looking to succeed in the key industries of the future.”

The building will also house a number of cutting-edge research labs aimed at providing hands-on learning opportunities, developing new technologies and collaborating with industry. That includes , whose work drives discovery, advancements and new products in solar, biofuels and energy storage, efficiency and materials.

“Conn Center forges partnerships and inspires many students to address global energy challenges,” said center Director Mahendra Sunkara. “With this new space, we can accelerate the technology necessary to make Louisville a global leader in energy research, one that positively impacts the regional economy.”

Louisville is a hub for engineering and manufacturing, being with a total workforce of more than 82,500. With this new building, UofL can help maintain that positive momentum by spurring new breakthroughs and generating ready to solve problems and lead.

“Louisville is poised for enormous growth, and UofL research and graduates are a key part of our ongoing and future success,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “I’m proud to support this investment in UofL, Louisville’s top-tier research university, that will create new opportunities for people and businesses throughout our city.”

Construction is already underway and is expected to be complete in summer 2025, just in time for the Speed School’s centennial celebration. Founded in 1925, the school has since grown enrollment to more than 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees across eight engineering disciplines.��

“The Speed School has a well-earned century-long reputation as a place for ideas that will transform and reimagine our world,” said Dean Emmanuel Collins. “This new building will be a game changer for student success, our cutting-edge research and more. We’re both dreamers and doers, and this new facility is a place for both.”��

The facility was designed by Luckett & Farley in collaboration with SmithGroup and Whittenberg Construction is the general contractor. UofL is launching a fundraising campaign to secure remaining capital needed to complete the project. Learn more and donate at��.

The financial support comes from the , made possible through a gift from the recently retired president of HDR’s global water program, Glen Ellmers and his wife, Cherie. The funds will be used to add a new biology and sustainability curriculum to the INSPIRE program. , an acronym for “Increasing Student Preparedness and Interest in the Requests for Engineering,” is a summer enrichment program dedicated to introducing engineering to students from historically underserved populations across Louisville area schools.

The curriculum expansion aims to enhance the experience for approximately 20 students who attend the week-long camp each summer, providing them with a broader understanding of STEM fields and fostering their interest in engineering, biology and sustainability.

INSPIRE’s core objectives include exposing students to various engineering subfields, engaging them in hands-on activities and facilitating local site visits with community partners. Additionally, the program assists students in identifying their strengths and prepares them for the college transition process.

“With HDR’s generous investment, the INSPIRE Program will see significant enhancements, providing a holistic educational experience to our participants,” said Dayna Touron, dean of the . “This investment not only supports the expansion of the curriculum but also enables us to offer a real-life, on-campus experience to the students during the INSPIRE Summer Camp.”

The proposed enhancements include Biology and Sustainability Days, where participants will delve into disciplines such as drip irrigation, water research, composting, creating headphones, slime cell graphs, 3D printing, laser cutting and biomedical engineering demonstrations using real organs.

The collaborative effort of UofL’s departments of Biology and Urban and Public Affairs and the will produce two immersive days designed to combine interactive classroom learning with hands-on experiential activities. This innovative approach aims to bridge the gap between traditional academic disciplines, providing students with a holistic understanding of how biology and sustainability intersect with engineering issues.

The INSPIRE program will also introduce a residential aspect, allowing students to stay in a residence hall on UofL’s campus for the entire week of the camp. This immersive experience aims to familiarize students with college life and ignite excitement about pursuing degrees in STEM fields like engineering or biology.

“We believe that this investment will not only impact the participating students but also contribute to the broader goals of diversity and inclusion in STEM education,” added Kyle Guthrie, vice president and HDR’s Area Manager for Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. “We look forward to witnessing the success stories that will emerge from the INSPIRE Program and its expanded curriculum.”

As a first-year student at the University of Louisville’s , Turner was invited in 2019 to climb aboard , a five-day tech boot camp and startup pitch competition that nurtures would-be entrepreneurs on a road trip/crash course. These “buspreneurs” pitch an idea, quickly moving to research, building, testing and ultimately selling the product or service.

That first trip as a StartupBus passenger traveling from Akron to New Orleans led Turner to be recruited as a lead conductor for the competition’s Advancing Black Entrepreneurs (ABE) bus in July 2022. She functioned as a coach and leader for 30 aspiring Black entrepreneurs as they traveled from her Cincinnati hometown to Austin, Texas. Since that time, she spent a year living in Silicon Valley while doing three internships at tech companies, created her own startup company, . UofL News recently caught up with Turner to hear about her experiences.

UofL News: Your start-up company, RoadPitch, has been called “Amazing Race Meets Shark Tank.” How would you describe the mission and vision of your company?

Turner: RoadPitch’s mission is to mobilize Black tech founders across the country, facilitating access to capital for their companies. We’re like the Amazing Race for entrepreneurs, with determined founders living out of their suitcases for a week to meet numerous investors, similar to Shark Tank. During our tours, we hold three pitch demos daily in each city, visiting five to six cities in a week. Our intense tours aim to maximize capital opportunities, connecting founders with angel investors, corporate venture arms and venture capitalists.��

UofL News: What are the most significant challenges faced by Black founders in seeking success in entrepreneurial enterprises?

Turner: In 2022, Crunchbase reported that startups with Black founders received only 1.9% of deals and 1.2% of total venture funding in the U.S. One major challenge for Black founders is the mismatch between the abundance of recommended programs and the scarcity of actual capital. Many founders are recommended to take part in various programs like accelerators and workshops, which consume time but often don’t lead to meaningful connections or funding. This gap between programming and capital hinders their startup growth, even when they’ve proven their worth.��

UofL News: How has the University of Louisville and its resources and networks provided opportunities and support for your goals?

Turner: I’m immensely grateful for my undergraduate education in engineering at the University of Louisville. The mandatory were pivotal in shaping RoadPitch, as they allowed me to spend a year in San Francisco, where I attended approximately 100 startup and tech events, forging crucial connections in Silicon Valley in preparation for our west coast tour. Despite my physical absence from the state, the proved invaluable in supplying resources for RoadPitch. Our soft launch during Startup Week Louisville in September 2022 marked a significant milestone, with support from Natalia Bishop, the director of innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Louisville, who played a pivotal role in securing funding for our very first pitch competition.
��
UofL News: Which large tech companies did you engage with during the tour?

Turner: We had interactions with four founders who were working on AI and Web3 projects as well as connecting with companies that have procurement departments and venture arms focused on investing in innovative enterprise solutions. Our founders had the opportunity to pitch their ideas to AWS Startups, Accenture Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, and the Slack Fund. Our journey also included visits to key tech hubs, such as Amazon headquarters in Seattle, Accenture’s office in Salesforce Tower in San Francisco and Microsoft’s office in Los Angeles.

UofL News: How do you attract investors to attend your pitch demos?

Turner: We conduct extensive research on the local startup ecosystem, focusing on the relevant industry and stage of funding. We reach out to potential investors through LinkedIn and email, offering flexible pitch demo schedules. Our public evening events include mixers, fireside chats featuring local leaders and pitch competitions featuring our traveling founders alongside five local Black tech founders. This comprehensive approach is designed to foster connections between local founders and investors in their own cities, with a specific emphasis on aligning industry and funding stage preferences.

UofL News: What have been the most gratifying or rewarding experiences you’ve encountered since starting RoadPitch?

Turner: RoadPitch has brought about numerous positive outcomes. Our inaugural cohort of founders for the Northeast tour reported raising an impressive $166,000 post-tour, reflecting the tangible impact of our initiative. We’ve also built a strong sense of camaraderie among Black founders who spend a week together in a region where they initially lack connections, leading to ongoing support and promotion of each other’s companies on social media and with investors they meet.

The travel and interaction with strangers’ aspect of RoadPitch is a personal favorite, especially considering the cost-effectiveness and convenience of public transportation for a group of founders. In Las Vegas where we ended our West Coast tour, our team received Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition from Senator Jacky Rosen and Congressman Steven Horsford, highlighting the excitement and recognition our work in the tech and entrepreneurial space has garnered. When startup ecosystems amplify us in their communities and invite us to come back, that feels pretty special and signifies that we’ve added value to their ecosystem.��

UofL News: What are your anticipated plans post-graduation?

Turner: RoadPitch will have completed the Midwest and Down South tours prior to graduation. Post-graduation, I have engineering opportunities available, but my focus is not solely on building a traditional career. Instead,��I’m naturally inclined towards exploring new endeavors and collaborating with creative minds. My priority is to build a life that brings freedom, joy and adventure. Stay tuned!

Click to see a video of Meagan’s RoadPitch tour.

The��Aqlan Lab��team, in the J.B. Speed School of Engineering Department of Industrial Engineering, recently wrapped up its second summer hosting an intensive internship program��aimed at engaging undergraduate and high school students in community-focused projects. Funded by the National Science Foundation, this dynamic program involved 21 interns working on six projects over an eight-week period. The initiative, led by, associate professor of industrial engineering,��focuses on improving educational environments to bolster the regional STEM workforce and effect positive changes in the Louisville Metro community.��

“The second summer of the program went exceedingly well this year,” Aqlan said. “Moving forward, we hope to continue to grow the program, connect with even more community members and make a profound impact on the Louisville Metro.”��

Notably, this program collaborates with the University of Notre Dame, creating a synergy that goes beyond football rivalries. Together, they’ve formed a, aimed at revitalizing Midwest cities by retaining local talent and encouraging research-driven community engagement. The ultimate goal of the project is to establish an interconnected network of STEM education initiatives to benefit the regional workforce.����

The impact of the 2023 projects was profound, addressing various local challenges such as food justice, walkability improvement in Downtown Louisville, waterway cleanup, virtual reality applications and the preservation of native species. Throughout the internship, students were exposed to professional development workshops, including design thinking, networking, diversity, and time management.����

The diverse group of interns, hailing from various institutions, collected and analyzed data to develop practical solutions for their respective projects, subsequently presenting these ideas to the community. This program not only equips the next generation of STEM professionals with valuable skills but also instills a strong sense of civic responsibility and community engagement.����

“The CEEEM Internship was the best experience, and I couldn’t be more grateful for all that I learned through the program,” shares Ella Swigler, a 2023 CEEEM intern. “This opportunity allowed me to design a research project, work with very supportive team mentors, and meet some incredible community members in my field of study. Thanks to the CEEEM Internship, I have discovered my research passion for urban waterways- and even greater, I have gained the skills needed to apply scientific study to community change.”��

As UofL and Notre Dame take the field, they also stand united in their commitment to creating a brighter future for their communities. The collaboration internship program not only equips the next generation of STEM professionals with valuable skills but also instills a strong sense of civic responsibility and community engagement. Together, they aim to foster an environment that encourages participants to remain engaged in the Louisville Metro and other Midwest cities, ultimately leaving a lasting positive impact on the regions they serve. Through this program, students are gaining hands-on experience and contributing to the betterment of their communities while preparing for future careers.��

By Danielle Henson

“Since I was very small, I’ve always been driven to learn,” said the Louisville native. “I’ve been analytical, curious, interested in not just why things are the way they are, but how they work.”

The bioengineering sophomore had several obstacles to overcome in life, including the loss of his mother as a young teen, along with mental health difficulties.

Frank, who was homeschooled through most of middle and high school, says “it was mostly just me on my own with the computer, figuring out what I was interested in. Engineering cropped up very early on as a potential choice, and it always appealed to me because it seemed to jive with my personality.”

After high school and a gap year, Frank attended Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC) to explore his options, but he kept finding his way back to his dream of engineering. However, in entrance testing at the community college, he discovered he was at a ninth-grade level in math.

“I knew if I wanted to do engineering, I had to get real good at math real quick,” he said.

In those early days, there were times when Frank spent four hours a day on math in addition to everything else, but he eventually got to a point where the concepts just clicked.

Applying to at University of Louisville was a relatively easy decision that felt like fate, said Frank.��Coming from a nontraditional background prompted Frank to encourage other students like himself who might not think they had what it takes to become an engineer. He volunteered with the bioengineering department to give a presentation at Moore High School, near where he grew up.

“I felt like it was important to reach out and speak to them — I was homeschooled, I had behavioral problems, substance abuse issues, but here I am a sophomore and I’m doing advanced calculus now for fun,” he said. “It is not impossible, it is absolutely doable, and they need to hear the message that there is always a way to rise above.”

Frank’s star continues to rise. He discovered his niche working at , an innovation hub sponsored by GE Appliances on the Belknap campus, created as a space for engineers and product developers to dream up new products.

“FirstBuild has been a blessing and an absolutely transformative experience for me,” said Frank.

Early on, he was given the responsibility for designing an assembly line in the manufacturing process for a new product. Within six months, he was promoted to Assembly Lead, and now co-manages and mentors 20 to 30 students.

“Jacob is naturally gifted at being able to solve problems and help people,” said Brenden Hoover, manufacturing engineer at FirstBuild and Frank’s supervisor. “He makes every employee we have a better employee. Engineering school is hard, and I think his story speaks loudly to those students who are struggling.”

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