Texas A&M University

Chemical engineering at Texas A&M University is getting a huge boost as construction continues on the Jack E. Brown Engineering Building. "This building will allow us to expand in new areas that are important to the state's economy, and to our students, to maintain a strong base in chemical and refining technologies," said C. Roland Haden, then-Texas A&M System vice chancellor and dean of engineering and director of the

Jack E. Brown Engineering Building

Texas Engineering Experiment Station, at the ground breaking ceremony. A $5 million donation by Mr. Brown and his wife is the largest private donation toward construction of the seven-story, state-of-the-art building. Of the $38 million appropriated for the project, $7.6 million was appropriated from Permanent University Fund bonds.

The building will house classrooms, labs and administrative offices of the chemical engineering department. The Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center, with strong ties to the chemical process industry and chemical engineering research, also will be located there. A 1,600 square-foot visitor's center showcasing the history of chemical engineering will offer seminar and reception areas. The center will focus on educating students and the general public about process industries, industrial safety and the chemical engineering profession. "I do love A&M, and I want to see it continue to progress like it has the last 60 years," Mr. Brown said. He cited lessons learned as a student, especially the importance of traditions, camaraderie and courtesy. Mr. Brown is a principal in Midland-based Wagner and Brown, Ltd., an independent oil and gas company. "I'm very proud and excited to be part of this new development," Mr. Brown said. "I'm told it will definitely help the chemical engineering department, and A&M, go a step up the ladder. Maybe in the next 60 years A&M will be at the very top of that ladder."

Texas A&M's chemical engineering department is ranked 20th among graduate programs and 25th among undergraduate programs by U.S. News & World Report. The 149,000 square-foot building is located at the corner of University Drive and Spence Street and is set to open during the first quarter of 2004. The Houston-based architectural engineering firm of 3D/International Inc. designed the building. The company's projects include The Galleria in Houston, the Putra World Trade Center in Malaysia and numerous buildings in the Texas Medical Center.