On July 18, 2014, the Purdue Board of Trustees approved to finance and renovate the East Wing of the Forney Hall of Chemical Engineering, which is the only part of the original, 76-year-old building that has not been renovated. This initiative is part of the  College of Engineering's strategic growth plan and will address plumbing and electrical issues, as well as climate control and fume ventilation systems to accommodate the research needs of new faculty.

This renovation project is being funded with repair and rehabilitation funds secured through a University-wide proposal process focused on the University’s highest priorities for research and teaching laboratory renovations that resulted in the School of Chemical Engineering being awarded $6.02 million. Thanks to prudent financial planning and careful stewardship of resources over the years, the remainder will come from School funds.

While planning is well underway, construction is scheduled to begin in June 2015 in preparation for occupancy in September 2016. The renovated space will ensure our School has state of the art research infrastructure in the original building as well as the 2004 addition, which will enable us to attract top faculty members and graduate students to fulfill our research and educational mission.