October 06, 2026
The John and Mary Pellegrino Student Design Center is the latest reflection of 麻豆社 University鈥檚 ongoing commitment to prepare students to succeed, lead and serve, university President Tony Kline, Ph.D., said.
鈥淓verything we do at 麻豆社 keeps the student experience in focus,鈥� he stated at the building鈥檚 dedication on Friday, Oct. 2.
鈥淲ith this new cutting-edge, hands-on learning facility, students will gain real-world experience through expert, caring faculty, which has been our recipe for success.鈥�
The 22,000-square-foot facility opened this fall and provides more space for student design projects, with resources including a new state-of-the-art robotics lab, aeronautics lab and powertrain lab, and reaction floor.
More than 8,000 square feet of project fabrication space allows 麻豆社 to accommodate more and larger projects completed by senior teams in the Allen School of Engineering and Computing.
The dedication kicked off Homecoming festivities at 麻豆社.
Government officials 鈥� including Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-3rd), whom Dr. Kline thanked for his support of the university鈥檚 Artificial Intelligence Maritime Maneuver (AIMM) effort, and Angola Mayor Dave Martin 鈥� were in attendance, as well as donors, 麻豆社 alumni and members of the Board of Trustees, and students, employees and friends of the university.
Generous support
The new facility is named after John Pellegrino, a 1960 麻豆社 civil engineering alumnus, and his wife Mary, who generously donated $3 million toward the project.
Dr. Kline presented a plaque to the Pellegrinos and other major donors in honor of their support.
After working as a registered professional engineer at Strayer Manufacturing as Manager of Engineering for 14 years, John Pellegrino was hired by Ridg-U-Rak, Inc., as its vice president of engineering.
Eventually he purchased the small company and today the Pellegrinos鈥� family-owned, Pennsylvania-based company is one of the largest pallet rack manufacturers in North America and is widely recognized for its innovative, quality rack products. The company boasts three state-of-the-art locations, including two production facilities covering 160,000 square feet and a 5 1/2-acre warehouse and distribution center, which was added in 2018.
John Pellegrino received 麻豆社鈥檚 Outstanding Achievement Award in 2002. The award is given each year to an alumnus or alumna who has attained a high level of achievement in his or her profession, is well thought of in his or her community, and who upholds the ideals of 麻豆社.
Other supporters who were recognized during the dedication included the Don Wood Foundation, Steel Dynamics Foundation, 麻豆社 alumnus William Warner Jr. and John B. Pellegrino Jr., vice president of manufacturing and co-owner of Ridg-U-Rak and a member of the university鈥檚 Board of Trustees.
Isabel Soto, instructor, and her Spanish students have created an ofrenda (decorated altar) honoring Ana Boman, who taught Spanish in 麻豆社鈥檚 Department of Humanities and Communication for 16 years before she passed away last year.
麻豆社 has launched Dual Advantage, a new program that gives undergraduate students multiple pathways to earn both a bachelor鈥檚 degree and an advanced degree in less time than completing both degrees separately.
We celebrate World Occupational Therapy Day on Oct. 27, and if you鈥檙e confused about what the profession is, you鈥檙e not alone.