Weber State to cut ribbon on Noorda engineering building
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University will celebrate the opening of its state-of-the-art Noorda Engineering, Applied Science & Technology Building with a ribbon-cutting at 2 p.m. on Oct. 7.
Funded through the state of Utah and a generous gift from the Ray & Tye Noorda Foundation, the building boasts over 130,000 square feet, contains intentionally exposed architecture and is organized around a central community forum where students can collaborate and develop the skills and relationships that will help shape their future careers.
“Students are already in the building and going to class, but I'm looking forward to sharing this great space with the public,” said Dave Ferro, dean of the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology. “I think they will be as impressed as the students. It’s a great space.”
The building features 15 engineering labs, 14 classrooms and nine computer labs that will be used primarily by EAST programs like Professional Sales, Electrical & Computer engineering, Mechanical Engineering and the School of Computing. A portion of the second floor is home to Ogden’s Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering & Science, better known as NUAMES, and contains seven high school classrooms and one lab.
“The learning and innovation spaces that this building provides for our students, faculty and staff to unleash their creative potential are real game-changers for our programs and the industries we serve,” said WSU President Brad Mortensen. “We are so grateful to the Utah State Legislature and Noorda family for making the dream of this facility become a reality.”
Designed by VCBO Architecture, the Noorda building exterior is decorated by large waveforms. Inside the building, visitors can watch the interactive sculpture “Between the Currents,” which features 119 moving origami elements hung from a floating frame, representing the invisible forces of nature.
“Ray and Tye Noorda would be proud of how we are engaging students,” Ferro said. “I think the citizens of Utah will see they will be getting a great return on their investment for our state's promising youth and economy.”
The ribbon-cutting will be held from 2–2:30 p.m., with remarks from WSU officials, state representatives and members of the construction and design crew. Tours of the building and demonstrations will be offered following the ceremony.
Noorda replaces the Technical Education building, which was demolished in 2020. Portions of the old building were salvaged and used in the new construction.
For images of the new building, visit this gallery.
Jessica Kokesh, social media editor
801-626-7316, jessicakokesh@weber.edu- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu