With its sleek exterior, breathtaking interior and environmentally friendly functionality, the Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering is ready to open its doors to Western Colorado University students in just days.
The completion of the more than state-of-the-art facility made possible through an $80 million gift is the culmination of a vision initiated two years ago—to provide students the means of obtaining a degree from one of the nation’s top public engineering school at an affordable price.
Equipped with a new director, Jenifer Blacklock, Ph.D.,who has guided programs at both the Colorado School of Mines and the University of Colorado Boulder, the Rady School is ready to train future engineers and computer scientists, fulfilling a growing national demand for those skilled in these fields.
A Meaningful Achievement
Western President Greg Salsbury compared the impact of the new computer science and engineering school on the Western Slope of Colorado to that of General William Jackson Palmer’s narrow-gauge railway navigating the Black Canyon in 1882, a feat that most critics dismissed at the time as impossible. Yet, it was one in which had lasting influence.
“With roughly 80% of all philanthropy in higher education each year going to fewer than two dozen schools around the country, what are the odds of a little public school in the middle of the Rocky Mountains landing the second largest donation in the history of all of Colorado higher education to pull this off?” said Salsbury of the achievement.
Still, the university president noted that the significance of the school’s opening goes far beyond the structural and technological sophistication of the building.
“The new school is phenomenal, especially with the furthering of a dynamic new partnership between a top-20 American engineering school and a little school known for its teaching excellence, and turning out of exemplary citizens, Paul Rady being one of those,” Salsbury said.
Innovation in Education
About two years ago, Western embarked on a game-changing idea—collaboration with CU-Boulder to create a computer science and engineering program, and the construction of a cutting-edge facility in which to house it.
Behind the idea is Western alumnus Paul M. Rady ‘78, who wanted to give back to the school he credits with providing him a tremendous education as well as help students obtain a degree from one of the nation’s best engineering schools at an affordable price.
The principal of Antero Resources, Rady gave Western the largest donation it had ever received—totaling more than $90 million. The money goes toward establishing the Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering, create the CU Partnership Program with Western, provide scholarships and construct a state-of-the-art facility.
Now Open to Students and Faculty
Building work began in January of 2019, with final work on the 75,000 square foot Rady School concluding this spring. With the start of the new spring semester, classrooms are now open students and faculty. Inside, the facility showcases an abundance of natural light and scenic vistas, while providing a comfortable indoor climate through sustainable methods of harnessing green energy—truly the brains behind its beauty.
The Rady School is LEED Gold certified, which is the second highest rating for what is known as a green building. LEED is a global certification system, providing third-party verification developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, and provides standards of sustainable building in design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
Seventy-two geothermal wells dug 280 feet into the earth provide temperature control, only requiring supplemental heating about six days per year.
Green Features: Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering
- 75,000 sq. ft.
- LEED Gold certified
- 72 geothermal wells drilled 280 ft. deep
- Decorative acoustic tiles and panels provide sound dampening
- Paint and sealants used are low to no volatile organic compounds
- Private showers promote staff and student commuting by bicycle
- Plumbing fixtures that minimize water usage
- Charging station available outside for electric vehicles
- 90% of the waste generated in construction, or 747 tons of material, was recycled
Engineering the Future, Hands-on
Through the CU Partnership Program—which began in fall of 2019—students spend their first two to three years at Western and then transfer to CU while remaining on the Western campus. Students enjoy smaller class sizes, more affordable credits and a supportive educational environment. They do this while enjoying the scenic outdoors of the Gunnison Valley. The innovative program is what drew Joshua Anderson, a freshman majoring in Mechanical Engineering, from the Pacific Northwest to the Colorado mountains.
“The Rady program attracted me because I could be at a smaller school while still getting a world-class education from CU-Boulder,” said Anderson, a Rady Merit Scholarship recipient.
The Rady Merit Scholarship is a two-year full-tuition Western scholarship given to qualifying students.
“The scholarship has allowed me to focus entirely on my studies and not have to worry about money during college,” Anderson said.
Elevating Learning
Implementing the program is a top-level administrator, who is a powerhouse in the engineering field. Blacklock has more than a decade of experience in engineering curriculum and program development, as well as hands on experience in the industry. She holds dual degrees from Miami University in Manufacturing Engineering and Engineering Management, and a master’s in Biomedical Engineering. As a Fulbright Fellow, Blacklock earned her Ph.D. from the Max Planck Institute in Potsdam, Germany.
She brings all this and much more to her role at Western.
“Beyond small class sizes and the resources of CU-Boulder, we’re giving students the opportunity at hands-on learning,” said Blacklock.
Jenifer Blacklock
Director of Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering
- B.S., Miami University, Manufacturing Engineering and Engineering Management
- M.S., Biomedical Engineering
- Ph.D., Max Planck Institute
- National Research Council (NRC) Fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology
- Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado: Full-time professor and the Assistant Department Head of Mechanical Engineering; in charge of curriculum, assessment, accreditation and student affairs. Department consistently ranked in the top 25 Mechanical Engineering programs in the U.S.
- CU-Boulder: Launched the Student Experiential Education initiative, focused on creating strong industry ties to enhance student internship rates and student experiences in industry.
- Colorado School of Mines: Associate Director of Advanced Manufacturing program, assisted in obtaining $2M grant
Design with a Purpose
Students have already engaged in what Blacklock calls “design with a purpose” projects benefitting clients of the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte. The nonprofit provides therapeutic recreation for the disabled. One such project was to design a bicycle-type vehicle for an 11-year-old girl with a spinal cord injury.
“Project-based courses can help with solving problems in the local community,” said Blacklock. “As a small campus it’s great to integrate into the community, whether it’s Gunnison, Crested Butte or the Western Slope.”
All these factors make the Rady School not only a hub for campus learning and a place of inspiration for students but also a means to provide the state and nation with a center for solution finding.
New Resources for Education
Rady student Anderson, who achieved a 4.0 GPA in his first semester, is looking forward to exploring the new building and tapping its resources to enhance his education.
“I can’t wait to be inside the new building!” Anderson said. “Getting started on projects is getting me excited to be back on campus for the spring semester!”
A grand opening celebration for the Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering is anticipated later in 2021.
Author Credit: Chris Rourke
Photo Credit: Katie Lyons and Chris Rourke
