Madison Reporter

On April 17, a groundbreaking event marked the commencement of construction for the University of Wisconsin–Madison College of Engineering's new Phillip A. Levy Engineering Center. This 395,000-square-foot facility will occupy a 2.5-acre site located centrally within the engineering campus.

Named in memory of Phillip A. Levy by his brothers, Marvin and Jeffrey Levy, both of whom are UW–Madison alumni, the center aims to foster learning, research, and innovation. Ian Robertson, the Grainger Dean of the College of Engineering, highlighted the building's importance as a site of "learning, exploration, discovery and innovation."

State support for the project was secured when the Wisconsin legislature and Governor Tony Evers approved funding in March 2024. Governor Evers underscored the significance of the UW System, stating, “Making sure our campuses can deliver the world-class education students expect and deserve and that our state needs to build the workforce of tomorrow must be a top priority.”

The center is designed to embody the welcoming and human-centered ethos of its namesake, facilitating experiential learning and collaboration with industry partners. Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin emphasized its role in meeting the increasing demand for engineering education, benefiting both students and industry.

The project is the university's third completely new engineering academic building in six decades. It represents the culmination of more than six years of planning and advocacy by alumni, industry partners, and university officials. The construction firm Findorff, along with architectural partners Continuum Architects + Planners, S.C., SmithGroup, and Ring & DuChateau, LLP, will oversee the building process. The center will replace outdated infrastructure with modern counterparts to support the university's educational mission.