The Clyde Materials Lab at the University of Utah was dedicated this week following a $200,000 donation from Clyde Companies. The 1,547-square-foot lab is now ready for use by Civil and Environmental Engineering students.
“My grandfather (W.W. Clyde) once walked these very halls as a student, and I take great pride in knowing we’re helping pave the path for the next generation of engineers,” said Wilford W. Clyde. “This contribution is one more way we show Clyde Companies is committed to helping build a vibrant, prepared workforce.”
The donation went towards renovations on Level 1 of the Alan W. Layton Building (formerly the HEDCO building), in addition to the purchase of new equipment for the lab. The upgrades will allow students at the university to utilize modernized facilities and be introduced to the concepts, techniques, and devices used to measure engineering properties of materials.
With the rapid move towards cyberinfrastructure, the Civil and Environmental Engineering department needed to significantly upgrade facilities to include smart pavements, laboratories for concrete mixing, and other modern hands-on equipment. Additional laboratories in the building received new, equally impressive equipment.
Originally constructed in the 1930’s, the facility was among several buildings that were deeded to the university from the U.S. Bureau of Mines in the 1980’s, and renovations this extensive haven’t been seen on site in some time.
During the dedication, University of Utah president Taylor Randall, Dean of College of Engineering Richard Brown, and Dave Layton of Layton Construction all publicly and personally thanked Clyde Companies for its generosity.
As part of its mission of Building a Better Community, Clyde Companies is proud to partner with institutions of higher education. We invest heavily in educational institutions each year, including the University of Utah, through scholarships, internships, and employment opportunities.